Senior Director for the Student Lifecycle

About the Job

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

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.
2. Strategically design and oversee the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle.
3. Provide strategic oversight to functional leads to ensure student lifecycle services are optimized for access, retention, and graduation.
4. Direct long-range student services strategic planning initiatives.
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.

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.
4. Be responsible for leading the evolution and optimization of organizational structure.
5. Provide collaborative leadership to ensure SPH continues to act with integrity and is compliant with policies and laws impacting students.
6. Develop and monitor the consolidated Student Lifecycle budget.

Outreach and Institutional Engagement (30%)

1. Represents SPH to other University colleges and offices.
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.
4. In coordination with the Associate Dean of Education and the SPH Registrar, facilitate consistent and inclusive messages to students.
5. Complete special projects for the Dean as requested.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years professional experience.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or Doctoral degree preferably in an education field or public health.
• 12 or more years of professional 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.
• Advanced computer and analytical skills including Microsoft Office, complex databases, and spreadsheets, in addition to programs like Salesforce and Handshake.