Manager, Advising and Retention Services

Under the direction of the Dean of Student Success & Retention, the Manager, Advising and Retention Services, in collaboration with Deans, Directors, Managers, Faculty, and staff, is responsible for informing and coordinating proactive advising and retention efforts among Pathway Advisors, Retention Coaches and Student Success Liaisons within the pathway offices district-wide. This position is also responsible for providing day-to-day training and support to Advising and Retention Coaching Supervisors. The Manager oversees the new student orientation, course placement and first-year experience in collaboration with the supervisors, several campus stakeholders including, but not limited to, Student Life, Title IX, Financial Aid, Student Accommodations, and the Pathway teams.

• Strategic Planning and Stakeholder Relationship Management: Participates in the strategic planning for assigned areas and assists the Dean of Student Success and Retention in developing and implementing the overall departmental strategic plan. Establishes performance goals and measures to evaluate success of assigned areas of responsibility. Manages relationships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to recruitment services, admissions, financial aid, student accounts, tutoring services, registration, career, and student resource office as well as external funding agencies and the community. Collaborates with these teams to design strategies to improve communication and collaboration across teams. Networks and continuously improves external and internal relationships to aid in student recruitment and support pathway advising, retention, and student success.
• Orientation and Course Placement Oversight: Coordinates and oversees orientations and enrollment events. Builds and oversees first-year experience programming for all students. Works closely with testing as well as Math and English departments to coordinate course placement for all students.
• Process Development and Training: Participates in formulating and implementing policies and procedures. Assists academic deans in conceptualizing external development processes. Interprets guidelines, serving as a liaison to community partners and industry representatives. Conducts training sessions for all advising and retention initiatives key personnel. Creates alignment of messaging, programming, and student success impact among advisors and retention coaches, and student success liaisons that support special populations.
• Fiscal Administration: Assists with preparing and administering orientation budgets. Identifies student and program needs and provides support to achieve positive grant outcomes.
• Committee Participation and System Engagement: Participates in cross-functional committees and organizes, reviews, and debriefs meetings among stakeholders. Attends state-called or other external meetings, including district board meetings as required. Participates in Annual SCP and National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) convening.
• 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.
• 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.
• Cross Functional Relationships and Collaborative Teamwork: Establishes, maintains, and enhances positive work relationships with staff, faculty, administrators, and the community.
• Leadership and Supervision: Develops and manages a high performing team of 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.
• 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, training, 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 of Higher Education Admissions, Financial Aid and Recruitment and understanding of funding sources in higher education. Knowledge of Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).
• Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to the position and advising.
• Ability to problem solve and analyze effectively, including use of data analytics such as applying data to organizational and research applications.
• Ability to persuade and influence across employment levels and across a large variety of different stakeholders in a higher education setting.
• Ability to overcome obstacles by engaging outside resources or utilizing executive direction.
• Ability to complete projects in a higher education setting.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and schedule work assignments.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written means across all levels of employees and management including public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to establish, collaborate and maintain effective work relationships with peers, students, teachers, staff, representatives of outside agencies, educational institutions, and the general public.
• Ability to convey an image of professionalism and dedication in work related activities.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse student and employee populations.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and software specific to position, including spreadsheets and Google Suite.
• Ability to work successfully independently with minimal supervision and serve as a leader to others.
• Ability to establish workflows, manage multiple projects across divisions and meet necessary deadlines.

Compliance with all state, federal, and accreditation standards/requirements, as well as all MATC policies and procedures.

Required Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree required, with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration, Admissions, Financial Aid, Recruitment, Counseling, Career and Technical/Vocational Education or related field; and three (3) years of progressively responsible work experience in Admissions, Financial Aid, Correction Education. Plus, three (3) years of staff supervision in administrative or educational setting or one (1) year of staff supervision combined with an Emerging Leaders equivalency.

Preferred Education & Experience: Master's degree in relevant field; Prefer five (5) years of experience performing advising or other administrative work. Prefer more than three (3) years of supervisory, management, or lead experience in administrative or educational settings.

Delegation of Work:

Supervision Given:

Start Date: This position is available immediately.

Hours: Up to 40 hours weekly, in-person, primarily based out of the Downtown Campus. Work is conducted during scheduled course hours, Monday - Friday. Hours vary based on departmental needs. Employees will conduct all work hours in the State of Wisconsin, performing work outside the state is strictly prohibited.

Application Materials:

• Resume

• Complete Application. A complete application entails providing thorough details, including personal information, educational background, and comprehensive work experience. This should include specific job positions held, duties performed, dates of employment, and any relevant licenses or certifications. Additionally, candidates may be required to attach copies of licenses or certifications as requested by the employer. It's crucial to ensure all aspects of the application are thoroughly addressed and documented.

Salary: Salary is determined by years of experience credit and internal salary equity. Salary determination will be only based on years of credited experience that is listed on the job application, please include complete work history.

Interviews: Selected qualified candidates will be invited to virtually interview for this position on a date to be determined. Finalists will be invited to an in-person interview.

EEOC: 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. Milwaukee Area Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Access Educator/Employer. 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.