WittKieffer is proud to partner with California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) to conduct the national search for their inaugural Senior Director of the Student Life Cycle. This is an exciting opportunity to join an institution that serves 15,000 students across its 43 undergraduate and 25 graduate programs.
CSUSM was recently named the top university in the nation for social mobility by CollegeNET. As a comprehensive public university whose mission is student success, the campus prides itself on being an engine of transformative knowledge with dedicated teacher-scholars and staff working to holistically advance the academic, social, professional, and personal development of students across the student life cycle, through education, innovation, and community partnerships.
Reporting jointly to the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Senior Director will coordinate several student success initiatives across the university in support of comprehensive attention to the student life cycle in and outside the classroom. The senior director must have a demonstrate capacity for effective change management, a refined political acumen, and a significant demonstrable commitment to student success throughout their career.
The successful Senior Director of the Student Life Cycle candidate will:
- Support and move new initiatives forward by identifying current and future challenges and proposing effective solutions.
- Recommend, create, and implement short- and long-term strategic plan goals and operational plans regarding the student life cycle for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.
- Ensure divisional goals align with and support the overall mission of the university, while also motivating and encouraging commitment to achievement of strategic plans.
- Provide consultations with divisional units including colleges for the purpose of identifying specific goals and developing comprehensive plans, programs, and services that improve pathways for students.
- Partner with both academic and student affairs leadership to advance student success initiatives.
- Implement and evaluate student life cycle administrative protocols to ensure consistent practice.
The preferred candidate will have earned an advanced degree in a related field and possess at least five years of related experience in student retention, advising, first and second year experience programs, or teaching/mentorship in higher education. A doctoral or other terminal degree related to student success in higher education is preferred.
The anticipated salary range for this position is $140,000 – $160,000 and will be commensurate with experience.
Please direct all applications, nominations and inquiries to Christy Pratt or Ethan Robles, by using the WittKieffer Candidate Portal or by email, at: CSUSanMarcos@wittkieffer.com. The Candidate Portal is a secure, easy way to nominate a colleague, express interest, or apply for a position. Either means of application is acceptable.
The CSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity and inclusion in its recruitment, hiring, retention, and promotion policies and practices. It is CSU policy to provide equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, and veteran status.
