General Summary of Position:
This being an internal opportunity, only current UML Employees, irrespective of Bargaining units are eligible to apply for this position.
River Hawk Scholars Academy (RHSA) is UMass Lowell’s academic success program dedicated to student transition, persistence, completion, and holistic development across the first-generation college experience. The Assistant Director provides leadership for the planning, coordination, implementation, and assessment of RHSA programs, services, and campus partnerships that strengthen student success, academic excellence, belonging, and preparation for life after graduation.
Program Leadership, Operations, and Student Engagement:
- Lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of RHSA programs, events, and operational processes that support student success, belonging, and engagement across the first-generation college experience.
- Develop and execute new programs, events, and initiatives aligned with RHSA goals and evolving student and departmental needs.
- Oversee program timelines, logistics, communications, materials, and follow through to ensure effective and timely execution.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen program structure, delivery, and student engagement, and recommend improvements to the Director.
- Ensure programming reflects a welcoming, student centered, and strengths-based approach.
- Lead the Peer & Team Leader Program of over 40+ students.
- Execute the successful onboarding of first year cohorts annually and the coordination of the RHSA cohort pathway, involving faculty leads and advocates across each college.
Supervision and Student Employee Leadership Development:
- Oversee the recruitment, training, supervision, and ongoing development of RHSA student employees and other student support personnel.
- Supervise approximately 50 student employees, including peer leaders, team leaders, college ambassadors, and, as applicable, interns or practicum students.
- Lead onboarding, training, scheduling, communication, performance feedback, and day-to-day oversight of student staff.
- Develop leadership expectations, workflows, and accountability practices that support effective student staff performance.
- Foster a team environment that promotes professionalism, collaboration, leadership development, and strong student support.
Program Assessment, Tracking, and Continuous Improvement:
- Assist the collection, tracking, and review of program participation, outreach, and student engagement data.
- Develop and refine processes for monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, and identifying trends across RHSA efforts.
- Prepare reports, summaries, and visual materials that support planning, assessment, and communication of program impact.
- Recommend improvements to existing tracking systems, assessment practices, and program operations to strengthen effectiveness and efficiency.
Communications, Outreach, Recruitment, and Visibility:
- Develop and execute outreach, recruitment, marketing, and promotional strategies for RHSA programs and opportunities.
- Oversee RHSA social media, messaging, and promotional content to strengthen program visibility and student connection.
- Create and coordinate materials that support recruitment, event promotion, student communication, and departmental storytelling.
- Ensure communications are timely, accurate, engaging, and aligned with RHSA priorities and university standards.
Campus Partnership Development & RHSA Representation:
- Serve as a key RHSA representative in meetings, events, collaborations, and other outward facing opportunities.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with divisional and campus partners to support joint programming, student referrals, and coordinated student success efforts.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus departments to develop and implement initiatives that advance RHSA goals.
Minimum Qualifications (Required):
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
Experience:
- Minimum of 4-5 years relevant experience (preferably in higher education) developing & executing student success programs, events, initiatives, and engagement opportunities.
- Experience leading the development, implementation, coordination, and assessment of student programs, events, and initiatives.
- Experience supervising, training, and supporting student employees, peer leaders, or other student staff.
- Experience using data to monitor participation, assess outcomes, identify trends, and inform program improvements.
- Knowledge of the opportunities, barriers, and support needs often associated with the first-generation college experience, financial barriers to college access and persistence, and other circumstances that may affect student success.
Skills:
- Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and advance projects while keeping leadership appropriately informed.
- Ability to develop and execute outreach, recruitment, marketing, and communication strategies across multiple platforms, including social media.
- Ability to analyze information, synthesize findings, and make recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, families, and community partners from varied backgrounds and experiences.
- Commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment that promotes student success, engagement, and belonging.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Masters preferred.
- Experience in a university setting supporting transition, retention, student engagement, leadership development, or college success initiatives.
- Experience overseeing large scale events, student leadership programs, and department operations.
- Experience with student information systems, data reporting tools, presentation platforms, and communication tools such as Canva, PowerPoint, and social media platforms.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
This being an internal opportunity, only current UML Employees, irrespective of Bargaining units are eligible to apply for this position.
This position is full-time, benefited and in the SEIU union in grade P16. Anticipated salary based on range- minimum $59,67, 25th quartile: $67,879 and midpoint of $76,085.
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.
