[Hiring] Director, Student Success Pathways @Cotulla Education

Role Description

The Director, Student Success Pathways is responsible for designing and executing scalable, high-impact national initiatives that accelerate graduate employment outcomes across all campuses. This role leads core strategic pillars, including but not limited to:

• National Relocation Strategy to expand access to out-of-market employment opportunities
• Alumni Engagement Strategy focused on driving placement outcomes through reactivation, referrals, and employer connections
• Apprenticeship & Structured Hiring Programs to create repeatable, employer-aligned hiring pipelines

This position serves as a force multiplier to campus Career Success teams by unlocking new employment pathways, increasing job access, and driving measurable improvements in placement rates across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred
• 5+ years of experience in workforce development, talent placement, recruiting, or employer partnerships
• Proven ability to design and scale programs that drive measurable outcomes
• Strong business development mindset with experience building employer relationships
• Analytical thinker with ability to translate data into action
• Experience working across multiple markets or regions preferred
• Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a fast-paced environment

Requirements

• Design and implement a national relocation program that enables graduates to pursue employment opportunities across state lines
• Identify high-demand labor markets and align graduate supply to employer needs in those regions
• Establish relocation support models (stipends, housing support, employer-sponsored options, or donor-funded programs)
• Partner with the Partnerships team to align employers with relocation-ready talent pipelines
• Track relocation-driven placements and continuously optimize program effectiveness
• Define eligibility criteria and readiness standards for students participating in relocation opportunities
• Build and lead a national alumni engagement strategy focused on employment outcomes
• Develop systems to re-engage inactive graduates (MIA populations) and convert them into active job seekers
• Create alumni-driven hiring channels, including referral pipelines and peer-to-peer placement support
• Partner with campuses and central teams to integrate alumni into ongoing placement efforts
• Measure and report on alumni-driven placement impact
• Identify and engage alumni in hiring or leadership positions to create direct employer pipelines
• Design and launch national apprenticeship or structured hiring programs aligned to employer needs
• Partner with employers to create entry-level pipelines that mirror successful models
• Define program structure, eligibility, and conversion expectations to full-time employment
• Collaborate with Academics and Certification teams to align readiness with employer requirements
• Scale successful programs across multiple markets
• Develop alternative employment pathways for students who are not yet fully certified but are job-ready for entry-level roles
• Partner closely with Career Success, Student Success, and Partnerships teams to align initiatives with placement goals
• Integrate strategies into existing systems to ensure visibility and execution
• Support campuses in activating national programs locally
• Serve as a subject matter expert on placement acceleration strategies
• Define success metrics for each strategic pillar
• Monitor performance and identify opportunities to increase conversion rates across the placement funnel
• Provide regular updates to executive leadership on impact, risks, and scaling opportunities
• Continuously refine strategies based on outcomes and market feedback
• Track expansion of job pathways available to graduates across markets
• Monitor reduction in time-to-placement for targeted student populations

Benefits

• 401(k) and Matching: Secure your future with our competitive retirement savings plan.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Enjoy Health, Dental, and Vision insurance to keep you and your family healthy.
• Life Insurance: Peace of mind with life insurance options.
• Parental Leave: Support for new parents during important life transitions.
• Paid Time Off: Recharge with paid time off to promote work-life balance.
• Employee Assistance Program: Access to resources for personal and professional support.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Invest in your future with financial support for further education.