Director of Student Success & Retention
Director of Student Success & Retention
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CAD 78724 - 108522
1 Vacancy
Job Description
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The Opportunity
Reporting to the Associate Vice-President Enrolment the Director of Student Success and Retention is responsible for developing implementing and overseeing a comprehensive strategy to enhance student success retention and graduation rates. This role involves collaboration with faculty staff and administrators to create a supportive and engaging learning environment. The Director will lead efforts to identify barriers to student success and implement programs and initiatives that promote academic achievement personal development and persistence to graduation.
The Director is responsible for researching implementing and leading strategies programs and services aligned with STU strategic plan that support students transition to studying at St. Thomas University and their continued success in their studies to complete their STU program.
The Director facilitates a client-centred professionalized and holistic approach to student retention while working to minimize barriers to student engagement and success. This role involves staying informed on industry best practices in areas such as advising student financial aid and awards orientation student engagement and retention. The individual will actively assess the needs of St. Thomas University students to continuously improve the quality of programs and services that increase retention rates of students.
The Director works independently and collaboratively to co-ordinate support services programmes and events for current students to maximize their student life experience. Facilitating communication among the various student service-related areas. The development of targets and strategies for improving the retention of the current students as well as student engagement is a key focus.
Term: 13 Months - August 2025 - September 2026
Hours of work: Full-Time (35 hours per week); Monday to Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Classification/Level: D3 Exempt
Salary Range: $78724 - $108522
Closing Date: June 27 2025 or until the position is filed
What youll do
Responsibilities
- Development and implementation of a comprehensive retention plan that is aligned with the Universitys recruitment and overall enrolment management plans.
- In partnership with the Office of Institutional Research collect analyze and report on data related to student retention persistence and graduation rates to inform decision-making and track the effectiveness of initiatives.
- Contributes to the effective management and operation of the University by working with the Director of Institutional Research to develop enrolment projections.
- Increased retention-based programming driven by STU specific-data and industry trends including:
- Orientation to university programming including events before and after year one when students are most likely to be lost to attrition.
- Proactive outreach to students throughout the student academic life cycle and particularly at times when they are most likely to be lost to attrition.
- Identification of students academically at-risk through collaboration with Recruitment Admissions Institutional Research the Registrars Office Financial Services Residence Life and other related offices to collect information and offer targeted retention programming.
- Collaboration with Deans and faculty to identify and support at-risk students including those not coming to class completing assignments engaging with peers or faculty or performing poorly.
- Financial counselling and support for students in-need in conjunction with Financial Services and other offices.
- Parent outreach program from point of enrolment through student academic life cycle.
- Student peer support programs throughout student life cycle.
- Student mentorship programs and initiatives.
- Coordination with Communications Office for on-campus promotion of the value of the arts STU degrees outcomes etc. through on-campus marketing initiatives and events.
- On-campus events to promote services academic programs and community opportunities throughout the student life cycle.
- Implements and serves as the lead for the Customer Relations Management (CRM) used for student retention Develops knowledge to be an expert user of the CRM system and leads the development of the use of the system to maximize efficiencies and workflow and ensures staff in various offices can utilise the system to its full potential to meet retention goals.
- Facilitates incoming student events (in-person and virtual) from the point students complete course registration. Provides ongoing streamlined communication for registered students regarding next steps (ID cards parking passes Welcome Week international student pre-departure First Year Transition program peer support programs).
- Provides training and professional development opportunities for faculty and staff on best practices in student support and retention.
- Conducts research and analysis of retention-driven trends changes to other university practices and secondary school system changes to determine how to best support STU students and the staff and faculty working with them while ensuring we meet enrolment goals.
- Contributes to the Universitys planning activities by participating in various university committees and providing information analysis and recommendations.
- Coordinates with Alumni Affairs for student send-off events in key markets.
- Responsible for implementation of a summer outreach program focused on the retention of upper-year students.
- Responsible for the preparation and administration of the annual unit budget.
- The Director champions diversity equity and inclusion in all student success initiatives ensuring that programs and services are accessible and responsive to the needs of students from all backgrounds including underrepresented and marginalized groups.
- Contributes to the protection and enhancement of St. Thomas reputation and image by developing and/or maintaining contacts within organizations interested in collaborating with the University and representing the University when required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
STAFF MANAGEMENT
- As part of a comprehensive student-focused portfolio provides leadership management mentorship on-boarding and monitoring of retention staff including Student Accessibility Services 2SLGBTQIA Wellness Coordinator Cultural Diversity Coordinator Student Success Coach Student Transition Coordinator International Student Coordinator and Campus Minister.
- Provides ongoing training and supervision to student workers on tasks and duties relating to student success and retention programming.
What youll need
Qualifications
- Masters degree in a relevant area.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in student success recruitment retention or a related area within the education sector.
- Experience in the management of student services in a University setting.
- A proven track record of staff management.
- Experience leading multiple people with diverse portfolios.
- Exceptional administrative skills including time management organizational skills and priority setting.
- Proven skills in communication problem-solving and judgment to deal with a diverse set of demands.
- Competence in advising and conflict resolution.
- Strong aptitude with computer applications experience managing student databases and Customer Relations Management systems.
- Strong project management design improvement and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with university committees interpreting and carrying out various university policies and planning and executing events and communication tracks.
- Knowledge of the Universitys programs regulations services and brand.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Dealing with a diverse set of demands often in conflict with one another can cause stress.
- Regular need to give immediate and detailed attention to matters and issues in the student life area.
- Dealing with students personal crises and conflict can cause stress.
- Irregular hours are often part of the response to student issues and can be disruptive to personal life.
The closing date for receipt of applications is June 27th or until the position is filled. All applications are to be received by 4:30 p.m. on the closing date. Candidates are responsible for clearly demonstrating in their cover letters how they meet the requirements of the position. Please forward your cover letter and resume by clicking the Apply Now button.
An equal opportunity employer St. Thomas University is committed to employment equity for women Aboriginal peoples members of visible minority groups and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. . Candidates must have proof they are legally entitled to work in Canada.
St. Thomas University is situated on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik Wlastkewiyik / Maliseet whose ancestors along with the MiKmaq / Mikmaw and Passamaquoddy / Peskotomuhkati Tribes / Nations signed Peace and Friendship Treaties with the British Crown in the 1700s.
2025 St. Thomas University. Fredericton New Brunswick Canada.
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St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University
Founded in 1910 St. Thomas is a primarily undergraduate university located in Fredericton NB. With an enrolment of 1700 students STU offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work degrees for undergraduates in addition to distinctive program opportunities like the Bachelor of Arts (Aviation Stream) the Mikmaq and Wolastoqey Bachelor of Social Work and the Bachelor of Applied Arts. For those interested in post-degree or graduate studies St. Thomas offers a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Social Work.
Professors are distinguished scholars authors and commentators and provide an outstanding education to their students. STU outperforms the Canadian university average for effective teaching a supportive environment student-faculty interactions and higher order learning (National Survey of Student Engagement). Students report greater gains in critical thinking writing and problem solving when compared to the national average (CUSC Survey of First-Year Students). The university holds Canada Research Chairs in global and transnational studies and in physical culture and social life as well as a health research chair in community health and aging.
Mission
St. Thomas University prioritizes teaching and learning so that each student is prepared for personal and career fulfillment. Through leading programs informed by our humanistic approach and opportunities for experiential education we offer a robust and inclusive learning community that fosters connections across academic disciplines and emerging scholarly areas. On our beautiful campus supportive faculty and staff create the ideal place for discovery and possibility. Each St. Thomas student is empowered to think independently communicate effectively and act responsibly. Meaningful contributions to the communities we serve locally nationally and globally are made today through our teaching and research and tomorrow through the success of our alumni.
Vision
St. Thomas University commits to become the leading choice for students seeking a holistic university student experience.
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
