Director of Retention
Description
About the job
The Director of Retention (DOR) is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Senior Director of Retention for College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CAGS). This position leads a team of Student Service Advisors within the context of CCU’s mission, vision, policies, and procedures. The DOR position focuses on meeting established retention and persistence goals through performance management practices, directing customer service relations, and strategic problem solving with complex student situations.
Job Location
Remote - must reside and work legally in the U.S. All work must be performed within the U.S.
About CCU
Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.
Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914. CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV)
CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.
Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.
CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.
A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.
What is most appealing about working at CCU?
- Faith-friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
- Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
- Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.
We’re looking for candidates who have:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, Master's degree preferred. Professionals with education and/or experience commensurate with the duties described will also be considered.
- Three to five years of progressive responsibility as a leader and/or manager related to customer service and performance managing a team to achieve goals. Other relevant leadership experience may also be considered.
- Effective oral, interpersonal, and written communication skills. Exceptional customer service, problem solving, decision making, and creative thinking skills in a fast-paced environment are greatly desired.
- Demonstrates self-confidence, patience, empathy, and availability when building rapport with constituents. Understands and adapts quickly to multi-generational needs and characteristics.
- Creative, out-of-the-box thinking who takes initiative to find solutions while clarifying and enforcing CCU’s expectations and policies.
- Flexibility, are adaptive to change, teachable; actively locates appropriate resources to assist with unfamiliar situation and is comfortable asking questions and recognizes and learns from mistakes.
Key Job Duties
- CCU’s mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. In this role, the Director of Retention will lead a team to increase student retention helping them to complete their degree and live out their God given calling
- Primary focus is to track, monitor, and document performance of assigned SSAs by analyzing SSA activity, credit hour production and retention goals, and continuing student experiences
- Supports and encourages advisors to effectively address complex student situations
- Troubleshoots and de-escalates elevated student situations
- Leads regular team meetings to cast vision and clarify departmental goals and key areas of focus
- Leverages data and reporting in Salesforce as a key tool for performance management
- Conducts monthly reviews of advisor/students interactions, including phone calls, emails, and other tasks in relation to the OSS Advising with Purpose (AWP) program
- Promotes positive team culture by fostering spiritual development of team members and creates healthy and professional working relationship amongst team members
- Collaborates extensively with other Director of Retention to ensure consistent application of department goals and communication
- Collaborates with Training and Development Specialist to identify key training and development needs
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. Requires sitting at a desk, working on a computer, and conducting phone conversations for extended periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. You may be required to work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends.
What we offer our employees:
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings.
Colorado Christian University’s pay philosophy is based on internal and external data for pay equity; along with budgetary considerations for effective stewardship. Pay will be $55,000-$60,000 annually. We reserve the right to pay an equitable rate that we believe is within our salary structure or that may fit a candidate’s qualifications or experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage range for a job offer. CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations to attract the best possible talent. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.
Application Status
Applications accepted until position is filled.
Spiritual Requirements
- Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.
- Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.
- Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.
- Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.