Job Description

PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT REVIEW APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH MASSCAREERS. PLEASE APPLY VIA THE LINK BELOW:
About Northern Essex Community College:
THE COLLEGE: Northern Essex Community College (NECC) serves about 5,000 credit students each semester on two campuses located in the beautiful, historic Merrimack Valley region of northeast Massachusetts. Our suburban Haverhill campus sits on 106 acres near Kenoza Lake and features a Technology Center and an award-winning Student One-Stop Center. Our urban campus in Lawrence occupies a number of buildings in the heart of downtown. Most recently, we have constructed a new 44,000 square foot health technologies facility, the Dr. Ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center. Both campuses are a short drive to Boston and to the beaches and state parks along the coast.
The College has been building an organizational culture that values initiative and innovation, and seeks to identify and develop the strengths in students, faculty, staff, and programs in order to grow and improve. NECC is also committed to using evidence to guide planning and decision-making. These values are reflected in the use of Appreciative Inquiry for strategic planning and accreditation; in our investment in strengths-based, institution-wide professional development; and in our ten-year involvement as a Leader College in Achieving the Dream, a national network of community colleges dedicated to using data to close student achievement gaps.
We are also committed to the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. With over 40% Hispanic students, NECC was the first federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in New England.
We seek leaders who are committed to the community college mission, actively engaged in promoting diversity, and prepared to use their unique strengths and innovation with the goal of student success.
:
POSITION: Full-Time Executive Director of Student Success Services (Executive Director): Student Success Services; Haverhill and Lawrence (45 Franklin St.) Campuses; 37.5 hours per week; Non-Unit Professional Position.
SUMMARY: Reporting to the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Executive Director provides forward-thinking and strategic leadership and oversight for the college's student support functions, including CARS, PACE, SOAR, and Academic Coaching.
This senior leadership role is responsible for fostering a coordinated, student-centered approach that enhances engagement, retention, and overall student success. Using a data-informed framework, the Executive Director will guide initiatives that improve access and persistence while ensuring alignment with NECC's broader enrollment planning and institutional priorities.
RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide visionary leadership and effective day-to-day management for the CARS, PACE, SOAR, and Academic Coaching programs.
• Design and implement cross-functional strategies to promote collaboration among departments, increase service access, and support holistic student success.
• Ensure departmental compliance with all federal and state guidelines, particularly related to grant-funded programs and initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze student utilization of support services to identify trends impacting persistence and retention; develop data-driven reports and translate findings into actionable strategies to enhance student support planning.
• Partner with Enrollment, Academic Affairs, and Student Life to ensure smooth student transitions from entry to completion.
• Lead and mentor a team of staff, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and excellence.
• Manage and oversee budgets for all supervised departments, ensuring the effective use of financial and human resources.
• Continuously assess operations for improvement opportunities, leveraging best practices, technology, and process enhancements.
• Represent NECC on internal and external committees, working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and community stakeholders to strengthen student engagement and raise institutional visibility.
• Ability to represent the VPSA or College at internal or external events when needed.
• Maintain a consistent presence across both college campuses (Haverhill and Lawrence).

Qualifications
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT REVIEW APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH MASSCAREERS. PLEASE APPLY VIA THE LINK BELOW:
Requirements:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in student support services, accessibility resources, or similar fields.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-departmental teams and managing complex projects across varied stakeholder groups.
• In-depth knowledge of student support strategies, grant funded programs, and initiatives aimed at enhancing student persistence and completion.
• Proven ability to utilize data analytics for program evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Strong understanding of current trends and challenges in higher education, including policy shifts and demographic changes.
• Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in a higher education setting.
• Familiarity with regional demographics and workforce trends influencing student outcomes and support services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, or a related field
• Experience at a community college or regional institution
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse population

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as noted above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience has prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.
BACKGROUND CHECK: Candidates will be required to pass a CORI and SORI check as a condition of employment.
Additional Information:
SALARY: Anticipated starting salary range is $120,000.00 - $125,000.00 annually with complete fringe benefit package including competitive health insurance, dental insurance, basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid sick, vacation and personal leave, educational benefits for employee/spouse/dependents, and excellent retirement benefits.
ANTICIPATED START DATE: ASAP
Application Instructions:
TO APPLY: To be considered for this position click on the "Apply Now" button, you will be prompted to set up a new account or login to an existing account. You will be able to upload the following required documents for consideration:

• Cover Letter, describing your qualifications and/or how you may be best suited for the role
• Resume/CV

Review of applications will begin 5 business days from the posting date and will continue until the position is filled.
**Please note that finalist candidates will be asked to provide contact information for three (3) professional references, including current supervisor (or at least two previous supervisors)
DEADLINE: Open until filled
Northern Essex Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statues and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Elizabete Trelegan (Assistant Director of Human Resources, B-219,978-556-3928/ etrelegan@necc.mass.edu), the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Northern Essex Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Prospective employees are encouraged to review the College's Annual Security Report (ASR), in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which can be found on the disclosure page of the College's website at:

Skills Required