Academic Program Director Jobs in Huntsville, AL

Salary: $47,029.00 - $65,218.00 Annually
Location : DRAKE - 3421 Meridian Street, North, Huntsville, AL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 08471
College/Division: DRAKE-505010-Student Admissions
Opening Date: 08/26/2026
Closing Date: 9/9/2026 5:30 PM Central
Campus Location: Drake State Community & Technical College
Position Summary
The Lead Academic Completion Specialist provides leadership and guidance to the Academic Completion Specialist team while delivering comprehensive academic advising and student success services. This position trains and mentors Academic Completion Specialists, collaborates closely with the Workforce Development Department to ensure seamless advising for non-credit and credit students, and supports student retention, persistence, and completion through proactive advising and coordinated student support.
SALARY:
Appropriate placement on Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees
Salary Schedule: E3 Grade 3
Salary Range $47,029- $65,218 (12 months, Non-Exempt)
Salary step placement is based on experience per Drake State's practice for awarding salary step credit
(Continuation of position is contingent upon grant funding)
Work Hours: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm Monday - Thursday and 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Friday
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Lead Academic Completion Specialist shall perform the duties as specified in conformity with policies established by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees and the Drake State Community and Technical College Faculty and Staff Handbook.

• Serve as the lead advisor for the Academic Completion Specialist team by providing guidance, mentorship, training, and ongoing support to Academic Completion Specialists to ensure consistent, high-quality advising services.
• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate onboarding and professional development opportunities for Academic Completion Specialists, including training on advising best practices, student success initiatives, institutional policies, technology systems, and customer service standards.
• Monitor advising practices and provide recommendations to improve student engagement, persistence, and completion outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with the Workforce Development and Adult Education Departments to ensure seamless advising, enrollment, and transition pathways for students enrolled in non-credit workforce training and Adult Education programs who seek to continue into credit-bearing certificate and degree programs.
• Coordinate advising processes between Workforce Development, Adult Education, and Student Services to support enrollment, retention, completion, career advancement, and successful transition of students into academic credit programs.
• Assist the Workforce Development, Adult Education, and Instructional Departments with Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) processes by helping in evaluating the conversion of eligible non-credit workforce training, industry-recognized credentials, certifications, and documented experiential learning into academic credit, in accordance with Alabama Community College System policies and institutional procedures.
• Build positive relationships with students and provide comprehensive, student-centered academic advising and mentoring.
• Provide direct, comprehensive program guidance to assigned students from pre-admission through graduation.
• Assist students in developing individualized academic plans that align with their educational and career goals.
• Maintain regular communication with assigned students through phone, email, virtual platforms, in-person meetings, and other approved communication methods to monitor academic progress and provide encouragement and support.
• Monitor student academic progress through the College's early alert system and intervene proactively with students experiencing academic or personal challenges.
• Assist students in identifying and accessing appropriate campus resources, including tutoring, disability services, counseling, financial aid, career services, and other student support services.
• Foster student accountability, academic success, persistence, and timely completion of educational goals.
• Consult and collaborate with faculty, academic departments, and student support personnel regarding student progress and intervention strategies.
• Assist with New Student Orientation, registration, admissions activities, and student success initiatives each semester.
• Coordinate and conduct workshops and presentations on academic success topics, including study skills, time management, goal setting, self-advocacy, college success strategies, PLA opportunities, and pathways from non-credit to credit programs.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain data related to student retention, persistence, graduation, transfer, completion, PLA participation, and non-credit-to-credit transitions to support institutional effectiveness and grant reporting requirements.
• Prepare and submit required reports accurately and within established deadlines.
• Participate on institutional committees, task forces, recruitment events, and student success initiatives as assigned.
• Maintain professional conduct and confidentiality in accordance with institutional policies and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Maintain accurate student records and documentation within Banner, Degree Works, CRM systems, and other institutional databases.
• Continue professional development through participation in professional organizations, conferences, workshops, and training to remain current on advising practices, student success strategies, PLA policies, and workforce education initiatives.
• Retain and submit documentation as requested to support accreditation, grant administration, compliance, and institutional reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of Students and/or the President.

Job description may be modified or altered at any time by management.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of an earned Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Documented experience in academic advising
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to effectively analyze ambiguous information and respond appropriately
• Experience in group presentations
• Ability to process and maintain highly confidential information
• Ability to work effectively with individuals of varying backgrounds, abilities, outlooks, ages, and nationalities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Internet capabilities
• Excellent collaboration skills and ability to work as a member of a team
• Demonstrated exceptional listening, verbal, written, organizational, interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Membership in an advising organization such as NACADA
• Documented evidence of experience in Personal, Social, and Vocational Counseling/Student Development or related field
• Experience with Banner, Degree Works, and CRM Software
• Knowledge of the programs of study offered at the College

DESIRED PROFILE:
Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate through their experiences and accomplishments:

• Understanding of and commitment to the philosophy and mission of a community and technical college
• Sensitivity and commitment to cultural diversity
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and various situations in a calm and professional manner
• Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines
• Commitment to teaching and learning, where recent high school graduates, adult students, and non-traditional students are involved

Application Procedures/Additional Information
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and must submit a complete application packet through the NEOED on-line application system to be considered. A complete application consists of the following:

• An on-line application
• Current resume
• Copy of college transcripts (Transcript must confirm applicant meets educational requirements.)

Application materials must provide documentation that the applicant meets all minimum qualifications.
Background Check Requirement
In accordance with Alabama Community College System Policy and guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form and agree to a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated on this vacancy notice and must submit a completed application packet in order to be considered for this position. Complete application files must be received no later than the application deadline. Applicants who fail to submit all required information will be disqualified. Only applications received during the open period of this announcement will be considered. Applicants must travel at their own expense. Finalists will be required to provide official transcripts that are mailed directly to the Office of Human Resources at Drake State Community and Technical College from the institution(s) granting the credits.
All applicants must have an on-line and completed application packet by the deadline date. All applications received will be screened and interviews scheduled by appointment only. All applicants must adhere to the College's prescribed interview schedule and must travel at their own expense. Applicants must demonstrate written proficiency in English as part of the on-campus interview process. Drake State Community and Technical College is an active participant in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security.
Drake State Community and Technical College is an equal opportunity employer. It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System, that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, gender, religion, creed, national origin, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. Drake State will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants or employees. Drake State reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to awarding. Drake State compiles information about safety and security and publishes an annual report. This report can be found on the website by accessing the crime and safety report link. The link can be found on the Drake State home page by clicking the "About Drake State" tab and then selecting the "Campus Security Report" link. A copy can also be obtained by contacting the Director of Operations at 256-551-5210.
The College reserves the right to fill the position within (120) days of the job announcement stated closing date or to not fill the position due to budgetary or operational considerations. Further, the College reserves the right to fill more than one position in the same job classification should another vacancy occur during the search process.
Sick Leave
All regular full-time non-instructional staff earns one day of sick leave which is the equivalent of 8 hours of sick leave per month. Unused sick leave is rolled over to the following year. Upon retirement, employees are allowed to convert unused sick time into service time for the purpose of retirement. Further retirement benefits may be found on this page under Alabama Teacher's Retirement.
8 hours per month
(may accumulate an unlimited number)
Annual Leave
All regular full-time non-instructional staff earn annual leave per month. A complete description of leave benefits can be found with the Human Resources office.
0-4 years 8 hours per month
5-9 years 10 hours per month
10-14 years 12 hours per month
15-19 years 14 hours per month
20+ 16 hours per month
(may accumulate up to 480 hours)
Personal Leave
All regular full-time non-instructional staff earns up to two (2) regularly scheduled workdays of personal leave per leave year.
Unused Personal Leave converts to sick leave if not used.
(converts to sick leave at the end of August each year if not used)
Professional Leave
Up to 10 days a year of professional development leave with pay may be granted by the President.
Holidays
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King/Robert E. Lee Birthday
National Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day after Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
16 (5 locally assigned)
Contracted Work Days
260
Retirement
The TRS was established in 1939 to provide benefits to qualified persons employed by state-supported educational institutions. Responsibility for the management and administration of the TRS is vested in its Board of Control. The Boards of Control elect the Secretary-Treasurer who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the RSA and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the RSA. The TRS is a defined benefit plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information visit All regular full-time and part-time employees (non-temporary and non- student) who work at least 20 hours per week are required to participate in The Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama.
Tier I - Pays 7.50% monthly. State matches 14.57% (effective 10/01/25)
Tier II - Pays 6.20% monthly. State matches 13.61% (effective 10/01/25)
Law Enforcement Officers:
Tier I-Pays 8.50% monthly. State matches 14.57% (effective 10/01/25)
Tier II- Pays 7.20% monthly. State