Assistant Director of Student Success and Retention

JOB CLASSIFICATION
Pay grade level: 15
Compensation: $59,405 - $81,862. Compensation commensurate with education and experience.
Employee category: Full-Time Staff
Department: Student Success Center
Reports to: Director of Student Success and Retention
FLSA status: Exempt
Job Code: SA101FTEADSSR   
Location: Primarily Main Campus, but any other college location as assigned by the appropriate administrator

SUMMARY
The Assistant Director of Student Success and Retention is responsible for developing, administering, managing, and coordinating academic advising programs and services in the Student Success Center. This role includes chairing the College-wide KCKCC Advising Council, leading the implementation of guided pathway advising practices, and overseeing retention services to support students from admission to completion. The Assistant Director values shared governance and collaboration in a dynamic environment. As a member of the Enrollment Management leadership team, the Assistant Director ensures alignment with the College’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities.
 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

• Advising and Retention Practices
  Under the supervision of the Director, develop and implement policies, procedures, and technology solutions that enhance academic advising and guided pathway processes in line with the College’s strategic goals.
• Advising Council Leadership
  Lead and coordinate the KCKCC Advising Council, ensuring the implementation of practices that support student completion and success.
• Policy and Procedure Development
  Develop and oversee the implementation of advising policies for both Student Success Advisors and academic departmental advisors.
• Retention Services Administration
  Manage the day-to-day operations of retention services, including CRM ADVISE, Anthology Illuminate, and Ellucian Smart Plan. Work closely with divisional leadership, information technology, and other campus partners.
• Advisor Support and Supervision
  Supervise and support Student Success Advisors, conducting regular training sessions, providing feedback, and offering one-on-one support. Serve as a backup advisor for students requiring escalated assistance.
• Student Support Services
  Develop, coordinate, assess, and execute student support services that align with the College's strategic goals and promote degree progression and student success.
• Director Representation
  Represent the Director in meetings and events and manage operations in their absence.
• Professional Development
  Stay informed about national trends by attending relevant workshops, conferences, and other professional development opportunities.
• External Relations
  As assigned, represent the College at local, regional, state, and national organizations promoting best practices in student retention and academic advising.
• Other Duties
  Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of the Student Success Center and Retention, or the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, that align with College priorities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Communication Skills
  Strong written and oral communication skills are required.
• Advising and Retention Knowledge
  Demonstrates an understanding of the role of academic advising and retention programs in a community college environment.
• Advising Techniques
  Proficient in core advising practices, such as active listening, asking open-ended questions, summarizing, and reframing.
• Student Engagement
  Able to create a welcoming environment that fosters student engagement and prioritizes student needs and experiences.
• Advising Philosophy
  Supports students in developing self-efficacy, self-determination, and accountability through developmental advising practices.
• Knowledge of Advising Programs
  In-depth knowledge of academic advising, retention services, and relevant policies to ensure students have access to necessary support.
• Collaboration Skills
  Capable of representing the College in local agency/organization meetings and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of the College community.
• Attention to Detail
  Strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and quality in work output.
• Technical Proficiency
  Working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Project Management
  Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously with minimal supervision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in education, counseling, student development, social work, or related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in academic advising, counseling, or similar roles in a post secondary institution.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with guided pathway advising frameworks and strategies that support student persistence and success.
• Familiarity with academic advising and retention systems, including customer relationship management (CRM), early alert systems, or similar tools.
• Experience supervising full-time faculty or staff.
• Experience working in a community or two-year college setting.
• Experience working with student populations, including first-generation and financially disadvantaged students.
• Proficiency in multiple languages, both written and spoken.

WORKING CONDITIONS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and occasionally push or lift items. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK SCHEDULE
Assigned 40-hour work week during Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Must be able to work a variable schedule/hour to meet operational needs. May require evening and weekend hours.

To Apply

Visit www.kckcc.edu and click on CAREERS for a list of available positions.

• Read the job announcement carefully noting the initial screening date, minimum qualifications, and required information. Note that information contained in your application materials will be used to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Make sure you complete/submit all the documents listed as required.
• If the position lists a required transcript (during the application process) unofficial transcripts may be submitted. However, please note that upon selection for hire, you will be required to submit official transcripts.
• Ensure that your transcripts show that a degree was awarded or conferred if you are stating that it is your highest level of education completed. If you certify your level of education and it cannot be verified from your transcript(s), your application may not be referred to the selection committee.
• Foreign degrees are acceptable provided they have been translated and/or shown to have equivalency to a United States: Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate level degree.
• Documentation verifying completion of a degree, course work within a discipline, or other educational criteria should be electronically attached (uploaded) to your application.
• Three (3) professional references with phone number and email addresses are required.
• A college selection committee is responsible for application review and interviews. The final candidate(s) selected to be hired will be made by the hiring manager.
• Successful completion of a background check on all persons recommended for employment is required Individual hiring departments may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions as part of the applicant selection/hiring process.

***This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description may be revised upon development of other duties and changes in responsibilities.

KCKCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer