Director, Student Success Pathways

Training Tomorrow's Technicians to Become Skilled, Employable, and Essential

ABOUT US - Big Changes, Better Benefits - Join us today!

 At Cotulla Education, home to the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Centura College, Tidewater Tech, and American Lineman College, we are dedicated to transforming lives through hands-on, career-focused education. Our mission is to empower students to achieve their professional dreams in high-demand fields like aviation, healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades. With experienced faculty providing personalized support, our graduates emerge as future leaders ready to make a significant impact in their communities. Join us in shaping the careers of those who will build and maintain our world and embark on a transformative journey towards a fulfilling career. 

POSITION PURPOSE 

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, including activating alumni in hiring or leadership roles to generate placement opportunities
• Apprenticeship & Structured Hiring Programs to create repeatable, employer-aligned hiring pipelines, including pathways for students not yet fully certified but ready for employment. 

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. 

JOB FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

National Relocation Strategy

• 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 

Alumni Engagement & Placement Activation 

• Build and lead a national alumni engagement strategy focused on employment outcomes—not passive engagement
• 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 

Apprenticeship & Structured Hiring Programs 

• 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 (e.g., teaching assistant-style programs)
• 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

Cross-Functional Strategy & Execution 

• Partner closely with Career Success, Student Success, and Partnerships teams to align initiatives with placement goals
• Integrate strategies into existing systems (Optimus, EDGE, reporting cadence) to ensure visibility and execution
• Support campuses in activating national programs locally
• Serve as a subject matter expert on placement acceleration strategies  

Data, Performance & Continuous Improvement 

• Define success metrics for each strategic pillar (relocation placements, alumni conversions, apprenticeship hires)
• 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 

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred  

Experience/Skills 

• 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  

KEY SUCCESS METRICS 

• Increase in overall placement rate driven by national initiatives
• Number of placements attributed to relocation strategy
• Alumni re-engagement and conversion to employment
• Apprenticeship program launches and conversion to full-time hires
• Contribution to closing placement gaps across at-risk campuses 

Work Schedule: 

• This is a full-time, remote role. The position requires regular availability during standard business hours and flexibility to support a multi-campus, multi-state organization as needed.
• Willingness to travel approximately 35-45%% for employer and campus engagement

What We Offer   

The anticipated annual salary for this role is $95,000 - $110,000. However, actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including the candidate's skills, experience, and geographic location. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:    

What We Offer

• 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.  

We are committed to providing a rewarding compensation package that supports both your professional growth and personal well-being.

Cotulla Education is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes to the success of our company and are dedicated to fostering a culture of respect, equity, and inclusion.