Executive Director Student Retention Jobs (NOW HIRING)

THIS IS NOT REMOTE

ONSITE opportunities available nationwide across our 20 campus locations - Relocation Assistance Available up to $10,000 for select locations 

Lead the Campus. Drive the Mission. Deliver Results.

ACTIVELY HIRING FOR OUR CENTURA AND TIDEWATER TECH CAMPUSES BASED IN NORFOLK, VA!

Business Purpose 

The Campus Executive Director is responsible for the overall success and long-term performance of their assigned campus.  As the senior executive leader, this role drives operational excellence, financial performance, academic quality, regulatory compliance, and student outcomes while ensuring the campus delivers on the institution's mission to prepare students for successful careers in the skilled trades.

Through strategic leadership, sound financial stewardship, data-driven decision making, and the development of high-performing leadership teams, the Campus Executive Director creates an environment where students, employees, and the institution thrive. Success is measured through sustainable enrollment growth, student retention and graduation, career placement outcomes, employee engagement, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and the overall health and culture of the campus.

Key Competencies: 

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute long-term business strategies that drive sustainable enrollment growth, operational excellence, and financial performance.
• Academic & Student Experience Leadership: Champion academic quality and the overall student experience by ensuring instructional excellence, student engagement, persistence, graduation, and career readiness.
• High-Level Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain relationships with key industry partners, accrediting bodies, and community organizations to foster collaboration and support campus initiatives.
• Broader Accountability: Lead the financial strategy for the campus, ensuring sustainable growth and efficient resource allocation to support long-term goals.
• Decision-Making & Influence: Lead campus hiring decisions, shaping the organizational structure to meet strategic objectives, and ensuring staff performance aligns with campus goals.
• Enhance Outcome Focus: Drive measurable improvements in student outcomes and operational efficiency, with accountability for key performance indicators such as graduation rates, job placement success, and campus financial performance.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic, Operational & Financial Leadership

• Own overall business performance, including P&L accountability, revenue growth, budgeting, forecasting, operational efficiency, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Develop and execute strategic growth plans aligned with organizational priorities.
• Develop enrollment forecasts and operational plans that align staffing, instructional capacity, and financial performance.
• Lead campus leadership teams to achieve enrollment, retention, graduation, placement, and financial performance goals.
• Drive operational excellence through continuous process improvement and effective resource allocation.
• Oversee campus facilities, capital planning, and operational investments while evaluating future expansion opportunities.
• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, regulatory, and reputational risks impacting campus performance

Academic Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Directly manage the Director of Education while maintaining accountability for academic quality, instructional excellence, and student learning outcomes.
• Champion a student-centered learning environment that promotes engagement, persistence, graduation, and career readiness.
• Ensure compliance with accrediting agencies, state regulators, Title IV, Title IX, and all institutional policies.
• Lead accreditation visits, audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory reporting.
• Partner with academic leadership to ensure curriculum, instructional delivery, and academic resources remain aligned with employer and student needs.

Team Leadership & Matrix Collaboration

• Directly lead, coach, and develop the campus leadership team across Academics, Admissions, Student Financial Services, Student & Career Success, and Compliance.
• Build and sustain a high-performing, mission-driven culture centered on accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and exceptional student service.
• Recruit, develop, and retain campus leaders while building a strong succession pipeline for critical leadership positions.
• Establish clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and hold leaders accountable for achieving campus and organizational objectives.
• Partner effectively with Corporate functional leaders through a matrix leadership structure to ensure alignment with institutional standards, initiatives, and best practices.
• Lead organizational change initiatives while fostering employee engagement, adaptability, and operational excellence.

Community, Industry & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the campus as the senior executive leader within the community.
• Develop strategic partnerships with employers, workforce agencies, military organizations, secondary schools, community leaders, and advisory boards.
• Strengthen employer relationships to support graduate placement, curriculum relevance, and workforce development initiatives.
• Promote the Centura mission and reputation throughout the communities served

Data-Driven Performance Management

• Leverage dashboards, KPIs, and operational reporting to evaluate campus performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Translate business insights into actionable strategies that improve enrollment, student outcomes, employee performance, and financial results.
• Monitor organizational health and proactively address emerging trends and challenges.
• Regularly communicate campus performance, strategic initiatives, and business results to executive leadership.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree
• Must have at least seven (7) years of management experience in post-secondary education, preferably in private, for-profit, career-focused, or trade/technical settings
• Experience directly managing leaders across Admissions, Financial Aid, Student & Career Success, Compliance, and Education/Academics
• Demonstrated ownership of academic quality and the overall student academic experience
• Experience operating in a matrix organization - managing direct reports while maintaining strong dotted-line relationships with corporate functional leaders
• Proven success managing revenue, P&L, budgeting, and financial performance
• Demonstrated history of improving student outcomes (retention, graduation, placement)
• Working knowledge of Title IV, Title IX, and accreditation and regulatory compliance standards
• Ability to manage two campus locations, including regular travel between sites
• Superb interpersonal, communication, analytical, and strategic planning skills
• Ability and willingness to work outside of regular work shifts, including evenings and/or weekends as necessary or as requested by Supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master's Degree
• Experience in Admissions
• Experience with Anthology or other Student Information Systems (SIS) preferred.

What We Offer 

In addition to a competitive salary range of $110,000 - $150,000 base + performance bonus, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: 

• 401(k) and Matching:Secure your future with our competitive retirement savings plan.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage:Enjoy Health, Dental, and Vision insurance to keep you and your family healthy.
• Life Insurance:Peace of mind with life insurance options.
• Parental Leave:Support for new parents during important life transitions.
• Paid Time Off:Recharge with paid time off to promote work-life balance.
• Retirement Plan:Additional options to help you save for retirement.
• Employee Assistance Program:Access to resources for personal and professional support.
• Tuition Reimbursement:Invest in your future with financial support for further education.

We are committed to providing a rewarding compensation package that supports both your professional growth and personal well-being.