Senior Director of Student Success

Opportunity Description

Seattle Colleges District is looking to hire a Senior Director of Student Success in Seattle Promise.

Salary Range for this position is $104,498 to $144,307 annually (depending on experience). The anticipated starting salary for this position is $130,000 annually.

Opportunity is open until filled, first review of materials will begin July 9th, 2026.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor of Seattle Promise, the Sr. Director of Student Success for Seattle Promise provides operational, programmatic, and people leadership for the districtwide Seattle Promise program. This role serves as the Associate Vice Chancellors primary deputy and internal operations lead, ensuring seamless, equity-focused, and data-informed implementation of Seattle Promise across the three Seattle Colleges (North, Central, and South), in partnership with Seattle public schools, the City of Seattle, and community stakeholders.

The Sr. Director oversees day-to-day program operations, supervises all Seattle Promise Student Success Directors, and ensures consistent application of student success strategies, policies, and systems across campuses. This position works in close collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor; other Seattle Promise leadership and staff; the City of Seattle; and other internal and external partners to strengthen structures that promote student access, persistence, and degree attainment.

This position focuses on internal program excellence and operational alignment.

This positions expected to work occasionally in the evening as program needs demand and may include occasional travel between the three Seattle Colleges.

This position is funded by the City of Seattles Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy, which is funded through June 30, 2032.

About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation.

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including:

• Competitive Pay Rates
• Promotional Opportunities
• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Transportation benefits
• Tuition Waivers
• PEBB Wellness Plan
• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

Application Procedures:

• Attached current Resume
• Attached cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Notice to Applicants:

Please note that Seattle Colleges has moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a regular basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Seattle Colleges is unable to extend post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to F-1 students who receive STEM degrees.

What you will be working on:

Program and Operational Leadership

• Lead the program to significantly increase student degree completion rates, with a goal of 50% or higher 3-year completion rate by Spring 2029.
• Lead and manage the daily internal operations of the Seattle Promise program, ensuring high-quality implementation of student success and retention initiatives across all three Seattle Colleges.
• Collaborate closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor to operationalize the strategic vision, goals, and performance metrics for Seattle Promise.
• Coordinate program-wide systems, processes, and reporting to ensure consistency and compliance with City of Seattle FEPP Levy requirements and Seattle Colleges policies.
• Serve as the primary liaison between campus-based Seattle Promise staff and district-level leadership to promote alignment, communication, and accountability.
• Lead development and continuous improvement of operational procedures and tools to enhance student experience, efficiency, and equity outcomes.
• Support data-informed decision-making by collaborating with the Executive Director of Research and Planning to monitor key indicators of student success, retention, and completion.

People Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise and evaluate all Seattle Promise Retention Directors (North, Central, and South), providing coaching and direction to ensure consistency in advising, retention, and student support strategies.
• Partner with campus leadership and Student Services teams to strengthen campus-based Promise practices and outcomes.
• Supervise and evaluate the Director of Student Events, providing coaching and direction to ensure consistent, high quality student experience at all signature Promise events.
• Partner with district and campus leadership in Workforce Development, Path to Trades, Outreach and Communications to strengthen signature events.
• Support a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth across the Promise network of staff.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluation for Seattle Promise team members, in collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor.
• Provide leadership and continuity when the Associate Vice Chancellor is unavailable, ensuring smooth program operations.

Collaboration and Partnership

• Work collaboratively with the Associate Vice Chancellor and key partners including the Executive Director of Research and Planning, Director of Outreach, City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning, and Seattle Public Schools to ensure program alignment and effectiveness.
• Represent Seattle Promise in internal meetings and select cross-agency workgroups as assigned by the Associate Vice Chancellor.
• Partner with the City of Seattle and internal research teams to ensure timely, accurate, and equity-driven program reporting.
• Collaborate with the Director of Outreach to ensure strong transitions between high school recruitment and college onboarding.
• Work with financial aid, institutional research, and student services teams to resolve operational barriers impacting Seattle Promise students.

Program Evaluation and Improvement

• Lead internal operational assessments to identify opportunities for process improvement and increased efficiency across the Seattle Promise program.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director of Research and Planning to analyze program data, implement recommendations, and ensure accountability to performance metrics.
• Identify and implement promising practices in student retention, case management, and wraparound support.
• Partner with the Associate Vice Chancellor to prepare program reports, presentations, and updates for the City of Seattle and other stakeholders.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Support the Associate Vice Chancellor in developing and managing the Seattle Promise budget (currently $9-13 million annually). Specifically manage Student Achievement/Retention budget, which is approximately $2-$3 million annually.
• Ensure Seattle Promise is meeting contractual obligations related to student event requirements.
• Monitor and reconcile operating expenditures for retention-related activities, ensuring alignment with budget and contract goals.
• Contribute to grant, budget, and contract reporting cycles as required.
• Support development and maintenance of operational manuals, guidelines, and training resources for Seattle Promise staff.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Serve as acting Associate Vice Chancellor in their absence, ensuring operational continuity and leadership coverage.
• Participate in districtwide and college committees supporting student success and equity.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Seattle Promise.

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this posting.

What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

• Masters degree from an accredited institution in education, public administration, social sciences, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education or public-sector program leadership, including supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs focused on student access, success, or equity.
• Proven ability to lead teams, build systems, and collaborate across departments and institutions.
• Experience using data to inform decision-making and improve program outcomes.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist practices in education.
• Experience with community college systems and/or city-funded education programs.
• Familiarity with the Seattle Colleges, Seattle Public Schools, and City of Seattle partnership ecosystem.
• Experience managing grant-funded programs or contracts with public agencies.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and within a district environment.

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment with Seattle Colleges. This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, application, interviewing, hiring, training, termination, conditions of employment, and any other employer-supported activities. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact Human Resources.

OFFICE SETTING:

Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants:

• Ability to operate office equipment, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials
• Ability to exchange information with supervisor, lead, co-workers, and students
• Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion
• Work is performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and encounters noises typical of these settings

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, hair texture or protective hairstyles, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of "bullying" behaviors, including "cyber bullying."

Students, employees, and applicants at Seattle Colleges can reach the Title IX Coordinator or ADA/Section 504 Coordinator for questions about discrimination, harassment or grievance procedures.

Background Check Statement

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position. In addition to the background check, candidates will complete Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB 2327 as required.