Reporting to the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Director of Student Development and Learning Access provides strategic and operational leadership for college-wide initiatives designed to improve student persistence, academic achievement, and overall well-being. This position drives equitable, data-informed, and evidence-based outcomes by overseeing a portfolio of student-facing programs, managing a collaborative team, and serving as a key partner across the institution.

The Director provides vision and management for a suite of student academic support services, including the Office of Accessibility, Academic Coaching & Peer Tutoring, the Dare to Care Campaign, and Champ 101. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership abilities, a commitment to equity-centered practices, and the analytical skills to translate complex data into actionable strategies for student retention and success.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Program Administration

• Develop, implement, and evaluate short- and long-term strategic plans for the department, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and current best practices in student success
• Design and assess programs, policies, and practices that meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff, using complex data analysis to drive continuous improvement
• Recommend and launch new initiatives as needed to strengthen student retention and success outcomes
• Oversee case management, manage a small caseload for students with accommodations, and serve as appeals officer for accommodations

Retention & Student Support

• Serve as a critical member of the Retention Team, Care Team, Academic Standing Committee, and Orientation, contributing expertise and coordinating cross-functional efforts
• Lead and participate in institutional processes to identify and support at-risk students, including new student survey, early alert, midterm grade interventions, and follow-up on Care referrals
• Partner with stakeholders in development and implementation of Salesforce software system and Student Success Dashboard
• Partner with Student Success Center colleagues — including Academic Affairs, Library, Registrar's Office, Career Collaborative and Orientation — to deliver integrated, student-centered services

Campus Climate & Communication

• Champion student well-being and a positive campus climate through sustained programming, outreach, and advocacy
• Develop and implement marketing and communication strategies for student support services that build awareness and foster a campus-wide culture of well-being
• May serve on relevant institutional committees with a focus on retention efforts and student success campaigns

Institutional & Administrative Duties

• As a member of the Student Affairs leadership team, participate in the emergency on-call duty rotation for the College
• Oversee the department budget, ensuring responsible and strategic stewardship of institutional resources
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive team environment

Requirements

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in student success, retention, or related student affairs functions
• Demonstrated experience with data analysis and assessment to inform programmatic and strategic decisions
• Proven supervisory and team leadership skills
• Knowledge of best practices in equity-centered retention strategies, student support services, and academic coaching
• Experience with Early Alert platforms or similar student intervention systems preferred
• Familiarity with accessibility services and relevant compliance frameworks preferred
• Experience with Salesforce preferred
• Track record of successful cross-divisional collaboration in a higher education environment preferred

Working Arrangements

• Full-time, on-campus position based at our main campus in Burlington, VT
• Standard business hours, Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:00pm, with occasional evening or weekend hours for campus events

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual Salary: $75,000 - $90,000
• Comprehensive Benefits Package:
  • Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSA and FSA options
  • Paid Time Off: 16 holidays, 4 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks sick time and 2 days of personal leave
  • Retirement: 403(b) plan with 3% employer matching contribution
  • Education: Tuition benefits for employees and family members
  • Wellness: Gym discount and Wellness programs with up to $300 annual incentives
  • Welfare: Short-term and long-term disability coverage, plus life insurance
  • Other Perks: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with counseling services, access to employee discounts and local/national benefit programs

Application Instructions:

To apply, please follow the link below and submit the following application materials:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter addressing the desired qualifications and how your experiences contribute to the academic excellence and inclusive community at Champlain College.

The College seeks candidates who can enhance its mission through their work, life experiences, service, teaching, or research. Please include specific examples of how you would contribute to these efforts in your Cover Letter.

To streamline our hiring process and ensure fairness for all candidates, we manage all recruitment communications through our online application system. Please do not call regarding your application status. We'll reach out directly if we'd like to schedule an interview.

The successful completion of a criminal background check is required as a condition of employment.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Champlain College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, veteran or military service status, HIV -positive status, qualified disability, or on the basis of any other status protected by law, and does not discriminate in the administration of its education and admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment practices or co-curricular and other College-administered programs. Champlain College will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified students, applicants for admission or employment, or employees.

Champlain College is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community. We believe that bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enriches education and strengthens our community. At Champlain, all members are valued as individuals and respected for their unique contributions.

EU Employee Data Protection Notice

---

Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, private, not-for-profit college in Burlington, Vermont overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains. Its career-driven approach to higher education prepares students for professional life from their very first semester. For the fifth year in a row, Champlain was named a "Most Innovative School" in the North by U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" 2020 regional rankings and ranked #9 on The Princeton Review's "2025 Top Schools for Game Design."

---

Reporting to the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Director of Student Development and Learning Access provides strategic and operational leadership for college-wide initiatives designed to improve student persistence, academic achievement, and overall well-being. This position drives equitable, data-informed, and evidence-based outcomes by overseeing a portfolio of student-facing programs, managing a collaborative team, and serving as a key partner across the institution.