Job Details

Executive Director, Student Success and Retention

Position Number: 9877678
Location: Milwaukee, United States
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Executive Director, Student Success and Retention

Salary: $104,866.00 - $141,574.00 Annually
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-05814
Closing: 11/09/2026
Location: 700 W State Street, Milwaukee, WI
Division: Enrollment and Retention

Description

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is Wisconsin's largest and most diverse technical college, offering 170+ high-quality programs that connect students to a career in as little as one to two years. The college also offers a less expensive path to a four-year degree. MATC is transforming lives, industry and our community by preparing students today for the careers of tomorrow. Together, we are meeting the needs of the community we share and are focused on students with the greatest needs. We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team who share the same passion in serving this purpose. Learn more about MATC at www.matc.edu.

Under the direction of the Vice President of Enrollment and Retention, the Executive Director, Student Success and Retention, is responsible for the overall leadership and coordination of services and programs relating to persistence, retention and completion including program management oversight of the areas of centralized student support including Advising, Counseling, and Career Services. The Executive Director is responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive retention and completion plan that is aligned with the College's strategic priorities. The Executive Director guides, supervises, evaluates and directs staff, prepares compliance and performance reports, and works collaboratively across functions to develop, plan, manage and direct administrative activities related to retention, equitable outcomes, and success efforts for a diverse student population. The Executive Director is responsible for student retention, persistence and success metrics related to equitable outcomes and success opportunities for all students.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Leads College-wide student success strategies, initiatives, and services designed to increase the retention, persistence, completion, and graduation rates of students. Develops and manages the College's retention plan and initiatives from an equity and opportunity lens.
Staff Management: Provides leadership, management, supervision, and evaluation for the areas of College-wide Advising, Career Services and Counseling Services. Supervises, manages and provides leadership oversight of the Manager of Student Support Services, the Leader of Transfer, Career, and M-cubed Initiative, Leader Career Readiness and Employer Relations Department.
Retention and Completion Development: Direct the development of procedures, processes, materials, and training to ensure that all staff and faculty are familiar and can access the retention support services; coordinate with College staff in planning/scheduling specialized and College-wide retention activities, including working with individual departments to achieve departmental retention goals. Assess college retention and graduation/completion rates to address programmatic needs; analyze retention trends for implementation of student intervention strategies.
Software Facilitation and Management: Responsible for College-wide student success software facilitation, engagement, coordination, reporting and assessment. Engages with Program Sponsors, Technical Sponsors, Student Success Software Core Leadership Teams, and Moon Shot for Equity to achieve institutional and divisional goals including holistic coordinated care. Responsible for facilitation for student services and in collaboration with the Vice Provost for faculty support and outcomes. Collaborates with Application and Content Administrators and additional Student Success Software experts on campus.
Data Analysis and Reporting: Responsible for Holistic Coordinated Care Network (HCCN): reporting, follow up, research and oversight of student success and retention software providing district-wide support services to advance equity, retention and student success. Partner and collaborate with the EVP, Vice Provost, and VP of Enrollment & Retention to ensure policies and procedures are revised and effectively implemented for HCCN. Engages in the development of retention and persistence standard operating procedures.
Budgeting & Fiscal Responsibility: Manages assigned grant-funded programs (e.g., WTCS Perkins Grant) geared toward student success, persistence, retention, and completion. Administers departmental budget and participates in audit reviews as needed.
Regulation Accountability and Metrics Reporting: Maintains and manages confidential information in accordance with FERPA regulations. Maintains retention and persistence reports and contributes to the development of student success metrics.
Data-Driven Decision Making and Continuous Improvement: Leverages data analytics to drive informed decision-making and fosters continuous improvement within the area of responsibility. Analyzes key performance indicators (KPIs) and relevant metrics to gain actionable insights and monitors performance measures aligned with organizational goals. Utilities data to inform strategic and operational decisions. Applies continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Plan-Do-Study-Act) based on data analysis promoting a data-driven culture and enhancing team data literacy.
Cross Functional Relationships and Collaborative Teamwork: Establishes, maintains, and enhances positive work relationships with staff, faculty, and administrators. Works collaboratively with team members, Pathway Deans, and colleagues, to achieve College objectives and provide a high level of service to students and employees by developing and sustaining effective working relationships and partnerships. Maintains high standards of professionalism within a matrix environment.
Leadership and Supervision: Develops and manages high performing teams with highly skilled and motivated staff focused on the delivery of quality and value-added services, and allocates cross-functional responsibilities and work processes. Responsibilities include hiring, coaching/mentoring, performance management, and progressive discipline as needed for departments supervised.
Ethics and Confidentiality: Practices honesty by demonstrating a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles, values, truthfulness and accuracy in all actions. Addresses all student and employee behavior in a confidential and respectful manner.
Continuous Learning & Professional Development: Maintains current knowledge of best practices and standards in higher education with an emphasis on community Colleges. Actively organizes and/or participates in applicable workgroups, trainings, workshops, seminars, committees and professional associations or conferences to promote continuous learning.
Other duties: Performs other related duties within the scope of the position as required for the efficient operation of the division and to support institutional objectives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge and understanding of student development and student retention theory and practice within a higher education setting.
Advanced skills and knowledge in student-centered approaches and systems that support the holistic development and success of college students from diverse backgrounds.
Knowledge and skills developing, designing and implementing programs and processes intended to improve retention and persistence.
Knowledge of retention and student success software, systems and tools.
Knowledge of access, equity and opportunity issues in higher education.
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills to serve organizational goals with ability to inspire trust and camaraderie in employees, colleagues, and the community.
Proven success in leading without direct authority.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated expertise in strategic leadership working with Boards of Directors and external leaders, as well as leading and collaborating with executive and staff teams across diverse cultural communities and areas of responsibility.
Expertise in supervising, counseling, motivating and evaluating staff and actively supporting their professional development.
Comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning, data analysis and budgeting, including demonstrated experience with policy development and change management.
Proficient with Google Suite and Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and Outlook and other necessary software
Ability to work with culturally diverse populations of students, employees and community stakeholders.

Qualifications

Compliance with all state, federal, and accreditation standards/requirements, as well as all MATC policies and procedures.

Required Education & Experience:

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in education, leadership, administration, student development or related field. Five (5) years of experience in the areas of student development, retention services, student completion, equity and student success. Minimum of five (5) years involved in supervisory and/or administrative responsibilities including managing teams or three (3) years of staff supervision combined with an Emerging Leaders equivalency.

Preferred Education & Experience:

A master's degree with seven (7) years of experience performing student development, retention services, student completion, equity and student success duties. Ten (10) years of supervisory, management, or lead experience in student development, retention services, student completion, equity and student success.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Delegation of Work:

Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s).

Supervision Given:

Supervises managerial, supervisory, and professional personnel. Provides recommendations on hiring new employees; on coaching and counseling; on training; and granting time off.

Core Competencies:

Customer focus
Action oriented
Values differences
Self-development

Compassion

Business insight
Balances stakeholders
Resourcefulness
Drives results
Attracts top talent
Drives engagement

Manages ambiguity
Courage
Demonstrates self-awareness
Instills trust
Builds effective teams

Drives vision and purpose

Supplemental Information

Start Date: This position supports the Enrollment and Retention division and is open for an immediate start date.

Hours: This position works a minimum of 40 hours per week.

Location: Primarily based out of the Milwaukee Downtown campus with the ability to flex to other locations if needed to support student success. Employees will conduct all work hours in the State of Wisconsin, performing work outside the state is strictly prohibited.

Salary Information: Salaries are listed up to the midpoint of the range and placement is determined based on years of experience, internal salary equity, and a review of the applicant's employment and educational background as listed on the fully completed job application.

Application Materials & Requirements: To be considered for this position, all applicants (both internal and external) must submit a thoroughly complete application. An incomplete application will not be considered or reviewed.

Please follow these steps.

1. Complete the Employment Application in its Entirety

You must provide thorough and detailed information for all sections of the application form. An incomplete application will not be considered or reviewed.

2. Attach All Required Documents (At Time of Application)

Cover Letter
Up to date - Resume*

*NOTE: Resume (please note, submission of a resume does not satisfy the requirement for a thoroughly completed application.

Interview: Selected qualified candidates will be invited to an interview (In-Person, or Spark Hire/One-Way) which will be scheduled within two weeks of postings closing date. Second round interviews will be conducted on site (expenses for selected out of state candidates are reimbursed by the College).

EEO: Milwaukee Area Technical College will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need special accommodation for the application process, please contact our office at 414-297-6529 (Wisconsin Relay System: 711) or email jobs@matc.edu.

To apply, visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/matc/jobs/5504627/executive-director-student-success-and-retention