1

Director Student Success Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Work closely with departmental leadership, Director, Case Management & CARE Team and the Associate Vice President, Student Success regarding students of concern. * Act as a resource for students ...

Work closely with departmental leadership, Director, Case Management & CARE Team and the Associate Vice President, Student Success regarding students of concern. * Act as a resource for students ...

Student Success Advisor

Babson Park, MA · On-site

$5.8K - $6.4K/mo

OverviewThe Student Success Advisor provides academic and personal advising and case management ... All questions or concerns about this posting should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Director Student Success information

See salary details

$26.5K

$83.5K

$139.5K

How much do director student success jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for director student success in the United States is $83,534.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,500.00 and $99,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Student Success, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Student Success, you need expertise in student affairs, data-driven program management, and a background in higher education—often supported by a master's degree in education or a related field. Familiarity with student information systems (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), and analytics platforms is typically required. Strong leadership, effective communication, and a collaborative mindset are vital soft skills for leading teams and engaging diverse student populations. These skills are essential for developing impactful student support strategies, improving retention rates, and fostering an inclusive campus environment.

What does a Director of Student Success do?

A Director of Student Success is responsible for developing and implementing programs and strategies that support student retention, engagement, and graduation rates at an educational institution. They lead teams that provide academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, and other support services to help students achieve their educational goals. The director also analyzes data to identify at-risk students and collaborates with faculty and staff to improve the overall student experience. Their work is essential in fostering a supportive campus environment that promotes academic achievement and personal development.

What is the difference between Director Student Success vs Student Services Manager?

AspectDirector Student SuccessStudent Services Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor’s degree, often Master’s; experience in higher education or student affairsBachelor’s degree; experience in student support or administrative roles
Work EnvironmentHigher education institutions, overseeing strategic initiativesCampus student support offices, managing day-to-day student services
Employer & Industry UsageColleges and universities, focusing on student retention and success programsEducational institutions, community colleges, or universities, focusing on student support services

The main difference is that the Director Student Success typically oversees strategic initiatives and programs to improve student retention and achievement at a higher level, while the Student Services Manager handles daily operations and direct support services for students. Both roles require relevant experience and work within educational settings, but the Director role is more strategic and leadership-focused.

How does a Director of Student Success typically collaborate with other campus departments to support student retention and achievement?

A Director of Student Success frequently partners with academic advising, faculty, counseling services, and enrollment management to create coordinated support systems for students. They often lead cross-departmental meetings, share student data and feedback, and develop holistic intervention strategies. This collaborative approach ensures that students receive timely academic, social, and emotional support, making it easier to identify and address barriers to student retention and graduation. Building strong relationships across campus is key to driving successful outcomes in this role.
More about Director Student Success jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Student Success jobs? Cities with the most Director Student Success job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Student Success jobs? The most popular types of Student Success jobs are:
What states have the most Director Student Success jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Student Success jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Student Success job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,534 per year, or $40.2 per hour.

Director Student Success

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 11 days ago


Western Michigan University rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

483rd of 614 rated colleges and universities


Job description

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.
Number of Vacancies
1
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, go to:https://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.

What Western Michigan University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom