Executive Director of Retention and Academic Operations

Drexel University • Elkins Park, PA

47d • $90,430 - $135,640 • Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Retention and Academic Operations manages all data related to student retention and academic operations for the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO). Guided by the College's academic policies, the role uses educational data to promote student persistence, success, timely progression, and completion. The position also directs the planning, coordination, and continuous improvement of academic processes that support program delivery while ensuring compliance with institutional and accreditation requirements.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience.
• Experience in managing retention, student services, or program operations in higher education.
• Proficiency with student information systems, analytics platforms, and early-alert software.
• Strong communication, analytical, organizational, and policy-interpretation skills

Nice To Haves

• Health care education work experience; familiarity with optometry education,
• Accreditation requirements and national board examination procedures; experience with Jenzabar, Banner or similar system.
• Data analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide clarity on institutional and college-level academic policies, advising students, faculty, and staff on policy implications. Manage procedures and records related to the Academic Standing and Promotions Committee (APSC) and the Committee on Academic Promotions (CAP) in accordance with PCO Academic Policies.
• Manage the review, update, and dissemination of academic policies to ensure accuracy, alignment with accreditation requirements, and accessibility for students and faculty.
• Develop and manage workflows for policy enforcement (academic standing, remediation, appeals, probation, dismissal), ensuring fairness, compliance, and documentation.
• Serve as a central contact for operational problem-solving, including resolving conflicts between policy interpretation and student cases.
• Train faculty, staff, and student leaders on academic policies, retention strategies, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate student enrollment status and program registration.
• Create and update class rosters to support program delivery.
• Create and update class rosters to support program delivery.
• Monitor and report on students in modified programs during Academic Progress meetings.
• Oversee daily administration of retention-related programs, including early-alert notifications. Maintain program handbooks, catalogs, and official documentation with timely updates and consistent messaging.
• Coordinate critical student services such as onboarding, orientation, registration processes, and progression/advancement reviews.
• Oversee integration and use of academic systems (student information system, learning management systems, early-alert software) to track progression, retention, and policy compliance. Collaborate with institutional research and registrar offices to maintain accurate records of enrollment, leaves of absence, remediation, and withdrawals.
• Maintain records related to PCO residency programs accredited by ACOE.
• Verify student eligibility for graduation, recognition, awards, and honors.
• Review and act on any requests related to State Board verification for graduates seeking licensure to practice.
• Monitor retention and progression metrics, identify at-risk cohorts, and measure the impact of interventions.
• Produce reports for leadership and accreditation bodies to inform decisions, policy modifications, and resource allocation.
• Maintain retention, attrition, and graduation rates for all PCO programs for reporting.
• Support ACOE, ASCO, and IPEDS reporting requirements as requested.
• Maintain accurate records of student registration and successful completion of standardized national board exams (e.g. National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO), Optometry Examining Board of Canada (OEBC)).
• Work closely with faculty, advisors, and the registrar to build a comprehensive support network. Participate in retention committees, advising councils, and program reviews
• Establish program calendars in coordination with the University Office of the Registrar
• Serve as a liaison with the Office of the University Registrar on academic transcript matters
• Serve as a bridge between student support services and academic leadership to align retention goals with the institutional mission.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world-class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles.
• Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award-winning A Healthier U wellness program.
• In addition, faculty and professional staff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non-certification programs. Drexel also participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions.
• For more information on our extensive benefit offerings, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees