Director of Student Retention and Engagement

About the role#

The Director of Student Retention and Engagement leads the development and execution of a comprehensive strategy to support student success, persistence, and community involvement within the Divinity School. This role acts as the chief retention officer, collaborating with faculty and staff to foster an inclusive environment while overseeing academic advising, community programming, and student leadership development. The position reports to the Dean and manages a team of staff and graduate student workers.

What you'll do#

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive student retention and engagement strategy.
• Conduct comprehensive analyses of retention data to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for intervention.
• Establish and direct the Retention Taskforce’s agenda to drive institutional strategies.
• Oversee academic advising programs to support students’ academic and career goals.
• Manage the annual budget, including processing expenditures, reviewing reports, and ensuring financial compliance.
• Supervise the Student Support Specialist and graduate student workers.
• Oversee community programming, including orientation and spiritual support services.
• Provide guidance to the Student Government Association and recognized student groups.

What you'll need#

• Master’s Degree from an accredited institution.
• At least eight years of directly related experience.
• Knowledge of student success and retention principles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated financial and budget management skills.
• Ability to build consensus and work effectively with diverse constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with university or community organizations.

Location & details#

• Location: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
• Work Modality: On-site
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Term: Rolling