Program Director – Pathways Advising & Student Support

West Texas A&M University•Canyon, TX

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Director – Pathways Advising & Student Success, under general direction, provides leadership, oversight, and management of a comprehensive pathways advising and student success initiative designed to strengthen postsecondary access, persistence, workforce alignment, and career-connected learning opportunities across rural and under-resourced communities. The Program Director develops and implements program goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and operational strategies while ensuring achievement of program outcomes, grant deliverables, and organizational priorities. The position directs pathway advising and student success activities, supervises advising personnel, develops and maintains partnerships with educational institutions, workforce partners, employers, and community organizations, and supports implementation of pathway development efforts designed to improve student transitions and regional workforce outcomes. The Program Director is responsible for program planning, implementation, evaluation, reporting, budget oversight, partnership development, and sustainability efforts aligned with institutional and funding priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ten (10) years of related experience.
Demonstrated experience in program implementation and management, education, workforce development, student success, community engagement, or related fields.
Superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Strong organizational, leadership, supervisory, and implementation coordination skills.
Proven ability to manage multiple assignments, set priorities, track projects, and meet deadlines.
Excellent attention to detail with an ability to exercise discretion and sound judgement, utilize problem-solving and critical thinking, and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to work in a professional, fast-paced environment with individuals and groups from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite required.
Ability to organize information for effective presentation and present to virtual and in-person groups.
Must be a disciplined and goal-oriented self-starter.
Exceptional relationship building and management skills.
Ability to work both collaboratively and independently within complex organizational and community-based environments.
Ability to synthesize data and compile reports.
Able to travel.
Some evening and weekend work required.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.
Texas law requires all males age 18 through 25 to be properly registered with the Selective Service System.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in education, communications, or behavioral health field.
Master’s degree.
Experience working with K–12 and/or postsecondary education systems.
Experience supporting rural, under-resourced, or regional workforce and education initiatives.
Experience with pathway development, student support systems, workforce alignment, persistence initiatives, or transition supports.
Experience navigating cross-sector partnerships and complex organizational structures.
Experience with grant-funded initiatives, reporting, implementation, and performance tracking.
Experience working within collaborative environments involving multiple stakeholders and partner organizations.
Knowledge of Salesforce CRM or similar systems.
Bilingual skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Develops, implements, and evaluates program strategic plans, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and operational activities associated with the pathways advising and student success initiative.
Ensures program objectives, grant deliverables, performance measures, and organizational priorities are achieved.
Assists with long-range planning, continuous improvement, and sustainability efforts.
Coordinates implementation activities across participating school districts, postsecondary institutions, workforce partners, and community stakeholders.
Represents the department and University on committees, workgroups, advisory bodies, and community engagement activities.
Provides leadership, supervision, guidance, training, and evaluation of pathways advising personnel and related student success staff.
Supports recruitment, onboarding, professional development, performance management, and retention efforts.
Establishes performance expectations and promotes effective communication, collaboration, and team effectiveness.
Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with school districts, education service centers, higher education institutions, employers, workforce partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Coordinates partnership activities supporting pathway development, student success, workforce alignment, work-based learning, and postsecondary transition objectives.
Directs implementation and coordination of pathway advising, transition support, workforce pathway development, student engagement, career readiness, and related student success activities.
Oversees delivery of services and operational processes supporting achievement of program objectives and participant outcomes.
Analyzes program statistics, participation data, performance measures (KPIs), and student outcomes.
Maintains program records and reporting systems and prepares reports related to program implementation, organizational effectiveness, grant compliance, and continuous improvement activities.
Develops, monitors, and oversees program budgets and operational expenditures.
Assists with identifying, developing, and securing resources, partnerships, and funding opportunities that support program sustainability and expansion.
Ensures responsible stewardship of program resources and compliance with funding requirements.
Maintains 100% compliance with timely completion of required System, University and job-specific online training courses.