Academic Success Center Manager

The Manager of the Academic Success Center ("Center") provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of this newly merged unit that provides campus-wide, student-facing programs and services in Academic Affairs. The Manager will provide administrative oversight of the current programs and services, which include UMD's Learning in Community course (i.e.,first-year experience course) and Student Success Program (SSP) courses; the campus-wide Tutoring Center; the Writers' Workshop (WW); the University Honors program; and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Additionally, the Manager will administer the National Student Exchange (NSE) program and undergraduate research showcases in collaboration with Academic Administration. The Manager will also lead the Center's faculty and staff in developing and implementing a new strategic plan aimed at sharpening and streamlining the current programs and services in order to strengthen and grow the Center's portfolio of programs and services in coming years.

This is a full-time, 12-month, on-campus (occasional remote work may be possible) position. The Manager will report to the Associate Vice Chancellor (Undergraduate Education)

Essential Functions:

Center Leadership (75%)

• Strategic planning and management
  • Lead the development and execution of the Center's strategic plan, including the establishment and tracking of short- and long-range goals in alignment with UMD's strategic plan
• Oversight of programs and services
  • Foster the continued development of quality programs and services for the Center with and through the Center's faculty, staff, and students
  • Provide direction, guidance, expertise, and support to Center faculty and staff to establish/refine measurable outcomes for their respective programs/services, to conduct and report on the effectiveness of their respective programs/services, and to drive continuous improvements (e.g., program assessment; program evaluation/review)
  • Assist program directors/coordinators in the identification of challenges and opportunities and in exploring, implementing, and evaluating resolutions
  • Troubleshoot and resolve problems and issues affecting Center employees and programs/services
• Policies and procedures
  • Ensure compliance with system-wide and campus policies and procedures
  • Interpret and apply pertinent rules, regulations, policies, and procedures set forth by governing agencies (e.g., for program certification, accreditation)
  • Establish Center policies as necessary and ensure compliance with them
  • Ensure the availability of accurate means of record keeping and train staff to use them as needed
  • Prepare reports and documents as needed
• Financial management
  • Establish and monitor the Center's budget to ensure effective resource management
• Confer with university officials, supervisor, budget administrators, program directors/coordinators, and/or staff to make determinations for budget development, funding requests, and budget analysis
• Conduct reporting and analysis upon request and as needed for effective budget oversight
  • Partner with UMD Advancement to identify fundraising opportunities and communicate with donors as appropriate
• Employee management
  • Supervise the Center's faculty and staff and oversee the supervision and training of the part-time student workers and professional writing consultants
• Create application procedures and job postings for available positions
• Form search committees and direct searches in compliance with university and other regulations
• Recruit, interview, select, and train employees reporting to the position
• Conduct performance evaluations for employees reporting to the position and take appropriate action for under-performing employees, including termination as appropriate with guidance from UMD HR
• Support Center supervisors in the hiring, onboarding, and managing performance of their staff and student workers

Program Management (15%)

• National Student Exchange (NSE) program
  • Recruit and place UMD students to attend other institutions within the NSE consortium
  • Develop and disseminate materials to recruit students from other institutions within the NSE consortium
  • Serve as a primary contact/resource for all incoming and outgoing program participants
  • Administer NSE incoming and outgoing student procedures to ensure compliance with finance, student aid, and transfer credit policies
  • Collaborate with campus partners (e.g., advisors, Registar) to support participating students
  • Build partnerships with NSE institutions to support program-specific exchanges
  • Attend the annual NSE conference
  • Evaluate NSE activities annually to identify opportunities for improvement
• Undergraduate research showcases
  • Organize fall and spring campus-wide research showcases
  • Collaborate with colleges and programs to identify student research to be showcased
  • Enhance the visibility of undergraduate research at UMD
  • Evaluate showcases to identify opportunities for improvement

Campus Involvement (5%)

• Serve on University committees as assigned
• Advocate for and promote the Center's programs/services as part of the Center's programming as well as invited opportunities from other campus units
  • Develop and execute ways of communicating with the campus community to create awareness of the Center's programs and services
• Collaborate and correspond with faculty, advisors, administrators and other staff across the UMD and the University of Minnesota System as appropriate to advance student success
• Meet, communicate, and problem-solve with individuals in programs and offices on campus that provide services to ensure the success of all learners
• Partner with faculty and staff to foster ways their students can best be served by the Center's programs

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus at least 10 years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least eight years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree
• Student-facing work experience within higher education
• Successful program management experience
• Effective supervisory experience
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to lead individuals and teams
• Interpersonal skills to effectively interact with faculty, staff, and students
• Successful collaborator and team member
• Strategic planning experience
• Change management experience
• Ability to analyze complex issues, identify root causes, and determine appropriate solutions
• Proven ability to plan and manage an organization's financial resources effectively
• Experience collecting and analyzing data to inform decisions

Pay Range: $90,000 - $108,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

For a completed application, please include a resume and cover letter. Finalists may be asked to provide references.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).