Executive Director, Student Success and Retention

Executive Director, Student Success and Retention

Salary

$104,866.00 - $141,574.00 Annually

Location

700 W State Street, Milwaukee, WI

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-05814

Division

Enrollment and Retention

Opening Date

10/04/2026

Closing Date

11/9/2026 10:00 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is Wisconsins 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 Colleges 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 applicants 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.

Health Insurance

• MATC offers a choice between two medical insurance plans. See below for plan types:
• Low Deductible PPO
• High Deductible PPO

Upon selection, the coverage begins the first of the month following start date. You will have 30 days from your start date to enroll. MATC contributes a generous percentage towards medical insurance premium. Both medical plans include prescription drug coverage at no additional cost to employees. Employees are offered an option to enroll in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with the selection of the Low Deductible PPO plan. Employees are offered an option to enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) with the selection of the High Deductible PPO plan with employer contributions.

Dental Insurance

• MATC offers a group dental plan through Delta Dental.
• Upon selection, the dental insurance plan coverage begins the first of the month following start date.
• Annual maximum per covered person is $2,500; plan covers preventive, routine, restoration, and has an orthodontic benefit for dependents up to age 19.

Vision Insurance

• MATC offers a group vision plan through Superior Vision..Upon selection, the vision insurance plan coverage begins the first of the month following start date.
• Plan covers eye exam, frames, lenses and contact lenses.

Group Life Insurance

• MATC offers group term life insurance benefits through Madison National Life Insurance Company effective the first of the month of start date and is fully paid for by the College. The amount of insurance is based upon the employee's annual earnings rounded to the higher $1,000.00. The benefit is doubled in the event of accidental death.
• Supplemental Life Insurance is also available at group rates for employees, spouses, and dependents to purchase.

Long-Term Disability

• MATC offers long-term disability insurance through Madison National Life Company after 30 days of employment and is fully paid for by the College. Benefits provided are equal to 66 2/3% of base monthly earnings.

Flexible Spending Accounts

• MATC offers two types of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA):
• Health Care FSA
• Dependent Care FSA

This type of benefit allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars per calendar year for a variety of medical, dental, and vision expenses (for a Health Care FSA) and for day care expenses for children under 13 or family members that are dependent on you for more than half their support (for a Dependent Care FSA) up to a maximum amount.

Retirement Savings

• Regular full-time employees of MATC who are hired for greater than 12 months become members of the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)'s pension system as of day one of employment. The College currently pays the full cost of the employer contribution (6.9%), and the employee pays the full part of the employee contribution of 6.9% of salary. There is a five year vesting period requirement in order to qualify for any employer contributions made on the employees behalf. Contribution rates are subject to change annually as set by the State.
• In addition to the WRS pension account, employees may enroll in other optional retirement savings plan such as a 403(b) account or a 457 account on a pre-tax or post-tax basis.

Sick Leave

• MATC offers employees a generous sick leave plan per year.
• Each employee may accumulate up to 165 days of full sick leave with an unlimited accumulation of half pay sick leave.

Vacation

• MATC offers a vacation policy to employees for the purpose of rest and relaxation.
• Vacation is earned at a generous rate each year of employment. (Not available for Instructors)

Paid & Flexible (Floating) Holidays

• MATC offers 12 paid holidays for non-Faculty positions and 7 paid holidays for Faculty positions.
• MATC provides two flexible (floating) holidays per employee per year. (Not available for Instructors).

Tuition Benefits:

• Employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement and waiver after completing probationary period.
• Amount allowed per fiscal year is 18 credits at MATC or $1,400 at other accredited institutions.

01

Do you have a master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in education, leadership, administration, student development or related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the areas of student development, retention services, student completion, equity and student success?

• Yes
• No

03

Please briefly describe your experience.

04

Do you have a 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?

• Yes
• No

05

Please provide your ideal salary range. Please provide a number, do not write negotiable, etc.

Required Question

Employer Milwaukee Area Technical College

Address 700 W. State

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53203

Phone 414-297-6529

Website http://www.matc.edu