Senior Director for the Student Lifecycle

The application review will begin on May 11, 2026.

This position is hybrid.

Overview
The University of Minnesota School of Public Health (UMN-SPH) seeks a strategic leader for the role of Senior Director for the Student Lifecycle (9341M3 Administrative Manager 3). Reporting directly to the Dean and serving on the Executive Leadership Team, this position provides strategic and operational oversight for the entire undergraduate and graduate student lifecycle to ensure a seamless journey from initial recruitment and admissions to successful graduation.

This leader will manage a complex portfolio including Recruitment, Admissions, Academic Advising, Financial Aid/Scholarship Strategy, Student Engagement, Applied Practice, and Career Services. In close partnership with the Associate Dean of Education, the Senior Director will bridge silos and harmonize functions into a cohesive, whole-student ecosystem that meets the evolving needs of the public health workforce.

Starting Salary Range:
$140,000-$165,000 annually, dependent upon the selected candidate's relevant qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Work Arrangements
The University of Minnesota endorses "Work. With Flexibility." and we offer a flexible work environment that meets the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and partners we serve. While this position is currently expected to work on campus 4 out of 5 days per week, flexible work arrangements may include additional flexibility in schedule and/or work location.

Key relationships
Reports to: Dean of SPH
Direct reports: Functional leads of Recruitment and Enrollment, Enrolled Student Experience, Student Belonging and Success, and Program Coordinators
Main Collaborative Partner: Associate Dean of Education
Other key relationships:

• Chief of Staff and Strategy
• Chief Financial Officer
• Director of Human Resources
• DGS's and Program Directors
• Division Heads
• University partners
  

Responsibilities

SPH Strategic Student Services Leadership and Enrollment Strategy (40%)
1. Serve as a member of the executive leadership team of the School of Public Health. Partner with the Associate Dean of Education, Division Heads, Program Directors, and Directors of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies to align school-wide policies and strategic initiatives with SPH and University enrollment metrics, data, student success goals, and workforce needs.
2. Strategically design and oversee the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle by leading cross-functional teams to harmonize staff workflows and admissions policies. Optimize the applicant journey and enrollment forecasting through the use of historical data, emerging technologies, and holistic review practices. Collaborate with senior leadership, including Division Heads, DGSs, and Program Directors, to establish SPH enrollment goals and analyze the budget impact of recruitment and retention initiatives.
3. Provide strategic oversight to functional leads to ensure student lifecycle services are optimized for access, retention, and graduation; support direct reports while holding them accountable for initiating continuous improvements to the student experience and developing practices that dismantle institutional barriers, including those for underrepresented and under-resourced communities.
4. Direct long-range student services strategic planning initiatives. Lead the development and implementation of programs and policies to enhance student life and address issues of concern.
5. Lead and partner in efforts to bring a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion to the student lifecycle at the SPH.
6. Stay up-to-date on trends in graduate and public health education, public health careers, student development, and student recruitment to inform goals, strategic objectives, and targets.
7. Develop long-term, bi-directional partnerships with Directors of Undergraduate Studies, Directors of Graduate Studies, Program Directors, and Graduate Program Coordinators (GPCs) on the implementation of planned enrollment
8. Experience overseeing or leveraging CRM platforms (e.g., Slate, Salesforce) to drive data-informed recruitment and retention strategies.strategies and student services.

Operational Oversight & Team Leadership (30%)
1. Provide direct supervision and professional mentorship to a team of 4 professional managers and oversight of the broader teams of 15+ staff members.
2. Defining and measuring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for student success
3. Direct the performance of core functional pillars (e.g., Admissions, Student Experience, and Program Coordination) through a team of direct and indirect reports, ensuring accountability and high-quality service.
4. Be responsible for leading the evolution and optimization of organizational structure to ensure it effectively supports the student lifecycle.
5. Provide collaborative leadership to ensure SPH continues to act with integrity and is compliant with policies and laws impacting students while balancing a flexible response to students' individual circumstances. Assess impact of policies and processes on admissions and the student experience, and advocate for changes to policy to meet changing student needs.
6. Develop and monitor the consolidated Student Lifecycle budget; oversee the management of the budget by designated direct reports and their functional units; ensure financial and human resources are aligned with the School's strategic priorities.
7. Cultivate a work environment that attracts and develops high-performing employees; ensure unit-wide service standards of effective practice are met across all student-facing offices through:

• Managing performance, including both supportive and constructive feedback, and providing corrective action when necessary.
• Meeting regularly to answer questions, provide feedback, disseminate information, and ongoing training as well as overall coaching, guiding and mentoring.
• Conducting annual performance reviews, including setting performance expectations and goals and developing professional development plans that support achievement of goals.
• Monitoring performance related to school-wide service standards of effective practice necessary to provide high-quality service to students and colleagues.

Outreach and Institutional Engagement (30%)
1. Represents SPH to other University colleges and offices while maintaining and furthering the SPH reputation for its commitment to students with a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds.
2. Serve, or identify the appropriate designee, as a liaison to the Associated Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH).
3. Communicate regularly with Division Heads, Associate Deans, Program Directors and Directors of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies to ensure effective and accurate dissemination of information to the appropriate stakeholders.
4. In coordination with the Associate Dean of Education and the SPH Registrar, facilitate consistent and inclusive messages to students, staff and faculty about trends, policies, priorities and necessary actions in support of student progress.
5. Complete special projects for the Dean as requested.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with at least 10 years professional experience.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to create and implement work plans, and to develop innovative solutions for difficult, complex, and systemic problems that may have precedent-setting implications for the unit and broader institution.
• Proven ability to successfully manage, plan, organize, and evaluate the work of others.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Proven track record of active advocacy and support for the success of students, particularly students from non-traditional and diverse backgrounds.
• Effective organizational skills, and proven success at managing competing demands. Ability to handle crises as well as a wide range of complex short- term and long- term issues.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or Doctoral degree preferably in an education field or public health.
• 12 or more years of professional experience.
• Of that work experience, at least 5 years of increasing responsibilities and management experience in higher education.
• Experience in managing administrative and programmatic budgets.
• Proven excellence in developing a highly effective team through excellence in hiring, managing, mentoring and thoughtful collaboration.
• Advanced computer and analytical skills including Microsoft Office, complex databases, and spreadsheets, in addition to programs like Salesforce and Handshake.
• Demonstrated ability to apply technology based tools to collect, interpret, and analyze critical management information.
• Able to effectively deal with conflict and to have difficult conversations with students, direct and indirect reports, and colleagues.
• Ability to manage change within a large, dynamic organization.
• Ability to collaborate and develop authentic working relationships with a community of students, alumni, staff, faculty, and administrators with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Demonstrated skills in addressing institutional barriers that impede student success and in providing advocacy for inclusion and equity for students and staff within the broader University setting.

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health improves the health and wellbeing of populations and communities around the world by bringing innovative research, learning, and concrete actions to today's biggest health challenges. SPH includes four academic divisions and 29 internationally recognized centers and is home to roughly 1,025 students, 130 tenured/tenure-track and contract faculty, and 450 staff. SPH is a research powerhouse: #1 level of research funding per capita at UMN, #3 largest research portfolio at the UMN, #2 NIH funding among UMN schools and colleges, and $1.1M average grant funding per faculty member. The school is ranked nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, #6 public school of public health, and offers more than 20 leading master's, doctoral, and certificate programs, with its Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program ranked #2 and its Biostatistics program ranked #9.

Pay Range: $140,000-$165,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 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
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

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.\

Required application materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

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

At this time, the University's employment site is limited in how it collects applicant demographic information. Applicants are encouraged to provide their pronouns and/or preferred name within their attached application materials.

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.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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).