University of Arizona
Director, Think Tank
University of Arizona – Student Success Division
Position Overview:
Think Tank is a centralized academic support center in the Student Success division. The Director leads a large multidisciplinary team, articulates a vision for student success through learning center services, and fosters relationships campus‑wide. Responsibilities include strategic planning, partnership maintenance, staff development, fiscal & policy management, and ensuring safe, inclusive learning environments.
Duties & Responsibilities
Provide vision and leadership for the department; coordinate strategic planning and ensure departmental goals are met.
Directly supervise two Associate Directors and an Administrative Services Coordinator; oversee a team of 7–8 student support programs, 25–28 professional staff, and >200 student workers.
Support staff development: coordinate meetings, trainings, professional development, policy creation, and compliance with university policies.
Maintain quality training programs for graduate assistants and student workers (e.g., CRLA and SI certification).
Design and implement academic support services grounded in learning theory, current research, and best practice; coordinate efficient delivery with the Think Tank team.
Ensure safe, accessible, inclusive learning environments; guide staff in strength‑based approaches and university procedures for conduct and safety concerns.
Work with Think Tank staff and the Chief Retention Officer & Associate Vice Provost, Student Success to set ethical, transparent policies and procedures.
Assess program effectiveness; collaborate with the Student Success Central Office Assessment Team to design and implement departmental assessment initiatives.
Oversee partnerships between Think Tank and academic departments, colleges, and other campus partners; foster and maintain collaborative relationships.
Serve as the department liaison to university units and local, state, national agencies; represent in relevant professional associations.
Participate in Student Success leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and decision‑making for the division.
Manage the $3.0–3.5 M budget covering staff wages, student wages, and operational expenses; create staffing and funding plans, analyze financial data, and communicate budget decisions.
Coordinate leadership team’s involvement in budget management and routinely review reports.
Oversee department development initiatives; secure gifts and other funding sources to support financial and programming goals.
Prepare utilization reports; report trends and problems; implement solutions collaboratively with staff and university colleagues.
Facilitate cooperation with Student Success Central Office teams (Administrative Operations, Communications & Marketing, Tech Resources). Regularly communicate progress and outcomes to the Chief Retention Officer & Associate Vice Provost.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of learning theory, best practices, and postsecondary learning support.
Knowledge of instructional strategies, current research findings, and legal precedents in learning assistance.
Leadership, management, and supervision principles.
Team management experience with multi‑disciplinary professionals.
Budget development, management, and presentation skills.
Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and openness to new approaches.
Program and curriculum design and implementation.
Inclusive student excellence application in learning environments.
Strong communication, collaboration, mediation, presentation, public‑speaking, and writing skills.
Fundamental postsecondary reading, writing, mathematics and science instruction skills.
Understanding of student success and retention philosophy and its integration into support services.
Knowledge of FERPA and ethical principles when working with students.
Familiarity with University of Arizona procedures and policies.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent advanced learning) plus a minimum of 9 years of related work experience, including 5 years in managerial roles.
Experience leading a team, project, program, or function.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in a related field.
Experience managing all aspects of learning support or student success programs (personnel, budget, partnerships, outreach, assessment).
Experience in leading, training, and developing both individual staff members and large support teams.
Experience in strategic planning and implementation of student support programming.
Experience in complex budget management, forecasting, scaling, revenue generation, and fundraising.
Contact Information Sarah Boatright, Admin Services Coordinator – sboatright@arizona.edu
Compensation & Benefits Annual salary range: $86,870 – $112,932. Full‑time, 40 hours per week. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, tuition reduction, retirement plans, recreation, and cultural activities.
Legal Statement This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as priorities evolve.
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Position Overview:
Think Tank is a centralized academic support center in the Student Success division. The Director leads a large multidisciplinary team, articulates a vision for student success through learning center services, and fosters relationships campus‑wide. Responsibilities include strategic planning, partnership maintenance, staff development, fiscal & policy management, and ensuring safe, inclusive learning environments.
Duties & Responsibilities
Provide vision and leadership for the department; coordinate strategic planning and ensure departmental goals are met.
Directly supervise two Associate Directors and an Administrative Services Coordinator; oversee a team of 7–8 student support programs, 25–28 professional staff, and >200 student workers.
Support staff development: coordinate meetings, trainings, professional development, policy creation, and compliance with university policies.
Maintain quality training programs for graduate assistants and student workers (e.g., CRLA and SI certification).
Design and implement academic support services grounded in learning theory, current research, and best practice; coordinate efficient delivery with the Think Tank team.
Ensure safe, accessible, inclusive learning environments; guide staff in strength‑based approaches and university procedures for conduct and safety concerns.
Work with Think Tank staff and the Chief Retention Officer & Associate Vice Provost, Student Success to set ethical, transparent policies and procedures.
Assess program effectiveness; collaborate with the Student Success Central Office Assessment Team to design and implement departmental assessment initiatives.
Oversee partnerships between Think Tank and academic departments, colleges, and other campus partners; foster and maintain collaborative relationships.
Serve as the department liaison to university units and local, state, national agencies; represent in relevant professional associations.
Participate in Student Success leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and decision‑making for the division.
Manage the $3.0–3.5 M budget covering staff wages, student wages, and operational expenses; create staffing and funding plans, analyze financial data, and communicate budget decisions.
Coordinate leadership team’s involvement in budget management and routinely review reports.
Oversee department development initiatives; secure gifts and other funding sources to support financial and programming goals.
Prepare utilization reports; report trends and problems; implement solutions collaboratively with staff and university colleagues.
Facilitate cooperation with Student Success Central Office teams (Administrative Operations, Communications & Marketing, Tech Resources). Regularly communicate progress and outcomes to the Chief Retention Officer & Associate Vice Provost.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of learning theory, best practices, and postsecondary learning support.
Knowledge of instructional strategies, current research findings, and legal precedents in learning assistance.
Leadership, management, and supervision principles.
Team management experience with multi‑disciplinary professionals.
Budget development, management, and presentation skills.
Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and openness to new approaches.
Program and curriculum design and implementation.
Inclusive student excellence application in learning environments.
Strong communication, collaboration, mediation, presentation, public‑speaking, and writing skills.
Fundamental postsecondary reading, writing, mathematics and science instruction skills.
Understanding of student success and retention philosophy and its integration into support services.
Knowledge of FERPA and ethical principles when working with students.
Familiarity with University of Arizona procedures and policies.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent advanced learning) plus a minimum of 9 years of related work experience, including 5 years in managerial roles.
Experience leading a team, project, program, or function.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in a related field.
Experience managing all aspects of learning support or student success programs (personnel, budget, partnerships, outreach, assessment).
Experience in leading, training, and developing both individual staff members and large support teams.
Experience in strategic planning and implementation of student support programming.
Experience in complex budget management, forecasting, scaling, revenue generation, and fundraising.
Contact Information Sarah Boatright, Admin Services Coordinator – sboatright@arizona.edu
Compensation & Benefits Annual salary range: $86,870 – $112,932. Full‑time, 40 hours per week. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, tuition reduction, retirement plans, recreation, and cultural activities.
Legal Statement This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as priorities evolve.
#J-18808-Ljbffr