Senior Director for the Student Lifecycle
Senior Director for the Student Lifecycle
University of Minnesota – School of Public Health
Employer: University of Minnesota – School of Public Health
Location: Minneapolis, MN (Hybrid)
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $140,000 – $165,000 annually
Position Overview
The University of Minnesota School of Public Health is seeking a strategic and experienced leader to serve as Senior Director for the Student Lifecycle. Reporting directly to the Dean and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, this position provides leadership and operational oversight for the entire student experience—from recruitment and admissions through graduation and career services. The Senior Director will lead efforts to create a seamless and inclusive student journey while aligning enrollment, retention, student success, and workforce development goals. This role manages a broad portfolio that includes recruitment, admissions, advising, financial aid strategy, student engagement, applied practice experiences, and career services, while leading a team of managers and staff dedicated to student success.
Qualifications & Requirements
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience
- Demonstrated leadership and strategic planning experience
- Proven ability to manage, supervise, and evaluate staff performance
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Experience supporting student success initiatives and diverse student populations
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex issues simultaneously
- Experience developing innovative solutions to organizational challenges
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s or Doctoral degree in education, public health, or related field
- 12+ years of professional experience
- At least 5 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education
- Budget management and financial oversight experience
- Experience leading large teams and developing organizational structures
- Experience with CRM systems such as Salesforce or Slate
- Experience with student success, enrollment management, retention, and advising
- Strong analytical skills and experience using data to drive decision-making
- Experience addressing institutional barriers and advancing equity and inclusion
- Experience managing change within complex organizations
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Enrollment Management
- Serve on the School of Public Health Executive Leadership Team
- Lead strategic enrollment planning and student success initiatives
- Oversee recruitment, admissions, advising, student engagement, career services, and applied practice programs
- Develop and implement student lifecycle strategies that improve recruitment, retention, and graduation outcomes
- Utilize enrollment data, forecasting, and emerging technologies to improve decision-making
- Collaborate with academic leaders to align enrollment goals with workforce needs
Operational Oversight & Team Leadership
- Directly supervise four professional managers and oversee 15+ staff members
- Develop and monitor student lifecycle budgets
- Establish and measure key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Lead organizational effectiveness and continuous improvement efforts
- Ensure compliance with University policies, regulations, and student-related laws
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high-quality student service
Outreach & Institutional Engagement
- Represent the School of Public Health across the University and external organizations
- Build partnerships with academic departments, administrators, faculty, and student support units
- Serve as liaison to public health education organizations and stakeholders
- Promote inclusive communication and engagement strategies across student populations
- Support special projects and strategic initiatives led by the Dean
Benefits
- Hybrid work environment
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and pharmacy coverage
- Retirement plan with employer contributions
- Tuition assistance through the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
- Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
- Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
- Transit pass benefits
Ideal Backgrounds
- Higher Education Administration
- Enrollment Management
- Student Affairs
- Academic Advising
- Public Health Education
- Student Success and Retention Programs
- Career Services Leadership
- Graduate Education Administration
Additional Info
Job Type : Full-Time
Education Level : Bachelors Degree
Experience Level : Senior Level
Job Function : Educational





