Retention Manager

About Great Jobs KC

Great Jobs KC, Inc. (dba KC Scholars) is a 501(c)(3) college scholarship and tuition-free job training program. Its goal is to support persistence and increase the college completion rate for low- and modest-income students across the six-county, bi-state service region and secure family-sustaining careers. The organization was designed to change thousands of individual lives and transform the region by preparing the local future workforce and contributing to the regional economy. The KC Scholars Scholarship Program awards traditional college scholarships to high school juniors, adult learner scholarships to adults 18 years and older, and college savings match awards to high school freshmen. The Great Jobs KC program provides tuition assistance to approved career training programs in high-demand industries such as construction, healthcare, information technology, logistics/warehousing, manufacturing, and service careers. With the support of Great Jobs KC, adults 17+ and older can learn the skills needed in one year or less to secure a job with family-sustaining wages. Great Jobs KC supports all its Scholars throughout their college or job training and into their first year of employment.

About the Role

• Reports to: Director of Education Partnerships
• Location: Kansas City, MO (Hybrid)
• Status: Exempt, Full-time
• Salary: Annual salary based on experience
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life Insurance, PTO, Holidays, leave program, 401k, including employer contribution, and others.
• Operating hours: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm CST

Key Performance Indicators:

• Ensure 80% of scholars who enroll in a training program persist to completion.
• Strive to Maintain a 90% Scholar Satisfaction Rate
• Time to Resolution – Ensure all scholar issues are resolved in a timely manner

The goals for the Retention Manager are:

• Set and track key performance indicators for scholar retention and completion.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations on scholar retention and completion.
• In collaboration with the Education Partnerships and Scholar Advocacy teams, identify priority retention and completion focus areas for each quarter.
• Initiate and track collaboration with education partners to ensure 80% scholar completion.
• Manage the implementation, completion, and evaluation of pre-training program assessments and prerequisites.
• Implement student success strategies for scholars participating in self-paced, virtual, and hybrid programs.

Responsibilities: The Retention Manager will develop and implement retention strategies that address the needs of at-risk students, improve retention rates, and support student success. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Student Support Services: Coordinate and streamline access to academic, social, and emotional support services, including tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and advising.

Data Analysis: Analyze retention data and surveys to identify trends, at-risk students, and areas for improvement. Use data to inform strategies and interventions.

Intervention Programs: Design and lead intervention programs for students struggling academically or personally. Monitor the effectiveness of these programs and adjust as necessary.

Communication: Communicate regularly with scholars and the community resource team to ensure scholars are aware of available resources and support. Work closely with Scholar Advocates in supporting their scholars and informing them of scholar progress during training.

Collaboration: Work closely with our training partners, scholar advocates, community resource navigators, and other stakeholders to coordinate retention efforts. Participate in committees and meetings focused on student success.

Reporting: Prepare and present reports on retention rates, intervention outcomes, and program effectiveness to leadership and other stakeholders.

Outreach: Develop and maintain relationships with students, parents, and the broader community to support student retention. Organize events and activities that foster a sense of community and belonging among students.

Policy Development: Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures that promote student retention and success.

Training: Provide training for staff on best practices in student retention and success.

Education and Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, or a related field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience supporting adult learners to and through credential and certification programs, including specific knowledge related to high-quality training and certification programs in the 6-county Great Jobs KC service area within the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area.
• Experience in higher education, particularly in student services, academic advising, or retention programs.
• Deep command of knowledge and practice of credential and certification programs application process, admissions eligibility, financial aid, and academic requirements - specifically for adult learners and preferably also for students historically underrepresented in education and workforce.
• Proven and successful experience collaborating with other organizations to achieve program goals.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies:

• General understanding of college access, persistence, and completion issues – particularly for low-income, first-generation college, and underrepresented students and returning adult learners.
• Exceptional judgment that augments an ability to be solutions-oriented and then act appropriately to solve problems.
• Strong organizational skills, well-developed process skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task in a rapidly scaling organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with large diverse, multi-generational audiences.
• Ability to analyze data and recognize and articulate trends.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment with the ability to set and meet clear deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Able to shift priorities as needed.
• Self-driven yet willing to follow directions, at times with limited input.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Willing to go the extra mile as needed.
• Personal value system that includes the highest standards of honesty, confidentiality, integrity, loyalty, and professional ethics reflective of the ability to succeed in building and maintaining positive relationships with the community.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 15 lbs.
• Ability to work in an office and remote environment.
• Ability to travel from and to work and occasionally to regional sites as the organization grows.
• Ability to interact with others via technology, face-to-face and collectively.

To apply, please follow this link, and be prepared to upload your resume.

Great Jobs KC firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal, state, or local law.