Senior Director, Student Success & Retention

York is a leading international teaching and research university, and a driving force for positive change. Empowered by a welcoming and diverse community with a uniquely global perspective, we are preparing our students for their long-term careers and personal success. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet and our future.

The Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies (LA&PS) is the largest Faculty at York University currently with over 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and almost 100 programs delivered through 24 Departments, Schools and Colleges, plus the IBM Learning Site. York University is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive excellence in promoting and enhancing teaching, research, and student success. Through innovative course design, diverse experiential education and learning opportunities, and a supportive community environment, our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. 

The Senior Director, Student Success & Retention, is accountable for the leadership and oversight of a large and complex student success, engagement, and retention portfolio within LA&PS. With emphasis on evidence-based practice, the Senior Director develops and implements a compelling vision and strategic plan to strengthen student success, engagement, and retention within the Faculty. Working closely with the various Associate Deans, the Executive Director, Strategy & Administration, the Dean and their Student Success & Retention leadership team, the Senior Director leads the enhancement, creation and delivery of robust student programing and services that are focused on student development, academic and personal success, engagement, access, and transition. The Senior Director works with LA&PS Departments, Schools and Colleges to ensure alignment of student success and retention programing with academic priorities. In addition, the Senior Director works to, foster collaborative partnerships between the Faculty and central services, to promote student success and maximize support for students. This dynamic leader will champion the development and promotion of a strong, cohesive, and effective community of student development practitioners across LA&PS. With an emphasis on student success, retention and strategic enrolment management, the Senior Director uses institutional and sector data and metrics and Faculty and University strategic priorities to inform and guide their work and that of their team, and to drive positive change and improvements in service delivery and programming. In addition, the Senior Director is a conduit and key decision maker on behalf of LA&PS for campus partnerships and committees to leverage expertise and resources, and to ensure seamless delivery of student success and engagement programs and ultimately to foster retention.

To be considered for this opportunity, you will bring the following:

A graduate degree in a related field (i.e., education and/or psychology) is required, plus specialized training/education in student development, success, retention and/or strategic enrolment management. Specialized training/education in project management and change management is strongly preferred with 7 years of managerial experience in a fast-paced, high-volume post-secondary student affairs environment, with a focus on student success, engagement and retention programing, and strategy development and implementation, and managing staff within a large portfolio in a complex unionized environment. In addition, practical and theoretical experience in social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, and program design, implementation and evaluation in a post-secondary student affairs context is required.

For full position details, including skills and knowledge requirements, and to apply to this exciting opportunity visit the External Career Portal (www.yorku.ca/jobs) and refer to posting 102818

We offer comprehensive benefits and access to superb educational and recreational facilities. For more information on what York has to offer U please visit: http://hr.info.yorku.ca/benefits/

The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.

York University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you are contacted by York University regarding a job opportunity or testing, please advise if you require accommodation.

We are committed to enhancing our environmentally and socially responsible practices for the benefit of all members of the York community. Our long-term perspective recognizes our responsibility to be innovators and to continually work as a community to reduce our ecological impact.