CUNY Start Associate Director of Student Success, Retention and Engagement

POSITION DETAILS

The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, is a vibrant, pluralistic learning community committed to students' intellectual and personal growth. The College bridges the economic and educational opportunity gap for students, more than half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Working to strengthen a culture of care inside and outside the classroom, we share a passion for learning with students from around the world. Strategically located in downtown Manhattan, the College is in close proximity to the artistic communities of Tribeca and SoHo, the dynamic downtown financial district, and the center of New York City government at City Hall. BMCC prides itself on the diversity of our students. We are an inclusive community that promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect for each member's ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin, among other personal characteristics. BMCC's motto speaks to this shared sense of purpose and possibility: Start Here, Go Anywhere. We strive to increase degree completion, successful transfer, career achievement, and service and leadership within our community, New York City, and beyond.

CUNY Start is an intensive pre-matriculation program that helps associate degree-seeking students strengthen their academic proficiency in English and Mathematics. Recognized for its innovative curriculum, pedagogy, and mentor-based training model, CUNY Start provides students with specialized instruction, dedicated advisement, and comprehensive support.

Reporting to the Director of CUNY Start, the Associate Director will lead and guide a team of advisors and recruitment staff, ensuring effective advisement and programming aligned with CUNY Start’s goals and outcomes. This role provides leadership to CUNY Start’s comprehensive support programs-including Math Start, English Start, and Jump Start-while contributing to program development, expansion, and operational excellence at BMCC.

• Provide proactive leadership and supervision for CUNY Start teams; foster collaboration and problem-solving to maintain a positive, professional work environment.
• Assist with strategic planning and communicate program policies and standard.
• Oversee planning and implementation of CUNY Start programming, including service coordination and development of new initiatives aligned with program pedagogy.
• Supervise and coach full-time and part-time advisors and recruitment staff; conduct performance evaluations in compliance with BMCC standards.
• Build and maintain relationships with campus departments (Enrollment Management, Registrar, Financial Aid, Wellness Centers, ASAP, CD, etc.).
• Collaborate with campus and university leadership to standardize operations and ensure program quality.
• Partner with Central Office Professional Development Team and the Director of Curriculum and Instruction to support instructional delivery and staff development.
• Analyze and apply program data to identify trends, assess outcomes, and inform decision-making.
• Oversee special projects, including credit-bearing and summer programs;
• Work closely with the Associate Director of Operations to meet recruitment targets and monitor student progress.
• Participate in hiring processes and represent CUNY Start at campus and public events.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree and six years related experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree and four years of related experience in education, higher education, or student services.
• Experience supervising professional staff and working with diverse student populations.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and leadership skills; ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365; familiarity with CUNYFirst, (PeopleSoft) and other CUNY LMS platforms (i.e., Bright Space, Navigate preferred). Ability to learn new systems as needed.
• Ability to attend and work occasional evening and weekend events.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Manages a comprehensive support program to promote learning and academic success for a targeted student population.

• Develops, recommends, and implements program goals and objectives to meet students' specialized needs; coordinates delivery of services across multiple functions, developing new programs and activities as needed
• Advocates for students, and partners with academic and student support functions to ensure students effectively utilize programs and services; collaborates with counselors, mentors, and others assisting students
• Maintains ongoing communications with targeted student population as well as department management, advisory groups, and external organizations
• Collects data for, analyzes, and reports on activities and outcomes
• Performs related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Associate

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary range is $90,838 - $105,816; Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.