What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director Student Success position at Western Michigan University?
Position Details
Posting Summary
College
Merze Tate College
Executive Area
Provost & VP Academic Affairs
Department
Student Success Services
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S1604P
Job Type
Full Time, Regular
Pay Type
Exempt/Salaried
Pay Grade
H
Campus Location
WMU-Kalamazoo - Main Campus
Salary Range
Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package.
General Summary
Directs and coordinates campus-wide retention, persistence efforts, and student success programs to ensure equitable, data-driven, evidence-based outcomes.
Major Duties
- Oversees campus-wide academic success programs. Ensures that all University students receive effective academic support.
- Directs and facilitates comprehensive training for staff and student employees to ensure utilization of high-impact practices for success programs.
- Leads development of programs, policies, and practices to meet the needs to students, staff, and faculty. Develops and implements short-term and long-term strategic plans for the department. Maintains current industry best practices and evaluates academic support programs with complex data analysis.
- Develops and administers departmental budgets. Ensures fiscal responsibility.
- Oversees a large volume of proactive outreach calls to students each semester.
- May serve on relevant committees with a special focus on campus retention efforts and campaigns to support student well-being and campus climate.
- Serves as a liaison for University initiatives. Analyzes and presents course outcome data. Collaborates with University leadership and academic partners to establish and maintain student success programs .
- Hires, evaluates and supervises staff and student employees.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree in related field from an accredited institution.
- Supervisory or lead experience.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
- Knowledge of university academic programs and requirements.
- Experience with managing large teams.
- Experience with budget management.
Desired Qualifications
Special Instructions to Applicants
- External applicants should use the WMU – Application.
- Internal applicants should use the WMU – Internal Application.
Additional Position Information
- Interviews will begin the week of August 17, 2026.
- Staff Compensation System pay grades and rates are available at: https://wmich.edu/hr/staffcompensation
- Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents. To access information about the specific benefits available for this position, s://www.wmich.edu/hr/enrollment-staff
Physical requirements and working conditions
- Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.
- Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.
Benefits:
Health Insurance, Sick Leave, Vacation & Paid Time Off