Manager, Student Support Services

Under the general supervision of the Dean, Student Success & Retention, the Manager of Student Support Services provides comprehensive leadership and oversight of college area supervisors, counselors, pathway advisors, retention coaches, and student success liaisons. This position is responsible for coordinating proactive advising, counseling, and retention efforts across all pathways district-wide in collaboration with deans, directors, faculty, and staff. The Manager oversees planning and day-to-day operations of student support services, including new student orientation, course placement, first-year experience programming, and mental health services.

Work requires extensive knowledge of research-based practices in academic advising, counseling, life-skills coaching, and both internal and external student resources. The position manages grant-funded programs, ensures compliance with professional and regulatory standards, and requires strong leadership, analytical, and interpersonal skills. Assignments are completed independently with supervisor interaction limited to problems or unusual conditions

Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) is Wisconsin's largest and most diverse technical college, offering 170+ high-quality programs that connect students to a career in as little as one to two years. The college also offers a less expensive path to a four-year degree. MATC is transforming lives, industry and our community by preparing students today for the careers of tomorrow. Together, we are meeting the needs of the community we share and are focused on students with the greatest needs. We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team who shares the same passion in serving this purpose. Learn more about MATC at www.matc.edu

• Planning and Coordination: Participates in planning for assigned areas and assists the Dean in developing and implementing the departmental strategic plan. Establishes performance goals and measures to evaluate success. Oversees new student orientation, course placement processes, and first-year experience programming in collaboration with multiple campus stakeholders including Student Life, Financial Aid, Testing, Math, English, and Student Accommodations.
• Student Support Services Oversight: Ensures comprehensive delivery of advising, counseling, and retention services through a holistic care model. Oversees individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, initial student assessments, psychoeducational programming, and mental health consultation. Responds to, triages, and elevates issues impacting student experiences to appropriate stakeholders. Creates alignment of messaging, programming, and impact among all student support personnel.
• Training and Professional Development: Assesses and coordinates comprehensive training and development for all student support staff. Develops and delivers training programs for diverse stakeholders on student mental health, advising strategies, and retention techniques. Provides clinical supervision and professional development for counselor trainees. Maintains professional standards and ensures staff stay current with best practices in higher education. Assists academic deans and stakeholders in conceptualizing external development processes.
• Grant Management and Compliance: Oversees administration of grant activities including data collection, analysis, reporting, and budget management for programs such as CAPS, M-cubed, dual enrollment, College Possible, and Perkins. Strengthens external partnerships and service opportunities with grant-funded positions. Ensures compliance with federal and state laws, professional ethical standards, and maintains the highest standards of confidentiality in all student and staff interactions.
• Technology and Data Management: Serves as primary administrator of electronic systems, case management, and other platforms. Leverages data analytics and institutional reports to track student progress, support retention strategies, guide staff interventions, and inform evidence-based practices. Works closely with testing services and academic departments to coordinate course placement for all students.
• Event Coordination and Institutional and Community Engagement: Coordinates development and delivery of outreach events to raise awareness about mental health and student support services. Manages staff scheduling and presence at major enrollment events (Express Enrollment, orientations, re-enrollment campaigns) both on and off campus. Designs and executes student-facing events to drive persistence and engagement in partnership with campus stakeholders. Establishes and maintains partnerships with hospitals and community organizations to develop referral networks addressing student needs.
• Data-Driven Decision Making and Continuous Improvement: Leverages data analytics to drive informed decision-making and fosters continuous improvement within the area of responsibility. Analyzes key performance indicators (KPIs) and relevant metrics to gain actionable insights and monitors performance measures aligned with organizational goals. Utilities data to inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Applies continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Plan-Do-Study-Act) based on data analysis promoting a data-driven culture and enhancing team data literacy.
• Ethics and Confidentiality: Practices honesty by demonstrating a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles, values, truthfulness, and accuracy in all actions. Addresses all student and employee behavior in a confidential and respectful manner.
• Cross Functional Relationships and Collaborative Teamwork: Establishes, maintains, and enhances positive work relationships with students, staff, faculty, and administrators.
• Leadership and Supervision: Develops and manages a high performing team that is highly skilled and motivates staff to remain focused on the delivery of quality and value-added services and allocates cross-functional responsibilities and work processes. Responsibilities include hiring, coaching/mentoring, performance management, and progressive discipline as needed.
• Continuous Learning & Professional Development: Maintains current knowledge of best practices and standards in higher education with an emphasis on community colleges. Actively organizes and/or participates in applicable workgroups, trainings, workshops, seminars, committees and professional associations or conferences to promote continuous learning.
• Other duties: Performs other related duties within the scope of the position as required for the efficient operation of the division and to support institutional objectives.

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s).

Supervision Given:

• Supervises managerial, supervisory, and professional personnel. Provides recommendations on hiring new employees; on coaching and counseling; on training; and granting time off.

Compliance with all state, federal, and accreditation standards/requirement, as well as all MATC policies and procedures.

Required Minimum Education & Experience: (at time of application)

• Master's degree or higher in Counseling, College Student Personnel, Higher Education, Psychology, Advising or similar/equivalent discipline.

• Must have at least five (5) years of relevant professional experience providing mental type health services in a higher education setting AND;

• At least three (3) years of administrator level staff supervision or at least one (1) year of staff supervision combined with an Emerging Leaders equivalency.

Preferred Education & Experience: (In addition to the require minimum above)

• Doctorate degree in Counseling, College Student Personnel, Higher Education, Psychology, Advising or similar/equivalent discipline.

• A Wisconsin State Licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

• More than five (5) years post-licensure experience providing mental health services in a higher education setting and experience developing clinical and operational protocols in a behavioral health setting;

• At least five (5) years of administrator supervision of staff or three (3) years of staff supervision combined with an Emerging Leaders equivalency.

• In-depth understanding of psychological challenges and behavioral health needs of students in higher education, including ability to incorporate trauma-informed approaches.
• Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices in academic advising, retention, and student success strategies.
• Knowledge of Higher Education systems including admissions, financial aid, recruitment processes, and understanding of Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).
• Ability to problem solve and analyze effectively, including use of data analytics such as applying data to organizational and research applications.
• Strong Knowledge of counseling theories, interventions, and delivery of services in comprehensive counseling center environments including individual/group counseling, outreach, psychoeducation, and consultation.
• Ability to persuade and influence across employment levels and across a large variety of different stakeholders in a higher education setting.
• Ability to overcome obstacles by engaging outside resources or utilizing executive direction.
• Ability to complete projects in a higher education setting.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and schedule work assignments.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written means across all levels of employees and management including public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to establish, collaborate and maintain effective work relationships with peers, students, teachers, staff, representatives of outside agencies, educational institutions, and the general public.
• Ability to convey an image of professionalism and dedication in work related activities.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse student and employee populations.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and software specific to position, including spreadsheets and Google Suite.
• Ability to work successfully independently with minimal supervision and serve as a leader to others.
• Ability to establish workflows, manage multiple projects across divisions and meet necessary deadlines.

Start Date: This position supports the Student Services Division and is available to start as soon as possible.

Hours: This is a full-time,100% onsite position working 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Work hours are primarily during business hours work outside business hours may be required for events, etc. on occasion.

Location: Position works on-site, primarily at the Downtown campus, but may require travel to other campus locations as necessary.

Salary: Salary is listed to the midpoint of the salary range and are determined by years of experience credit and internal salary equity.

Application Materials & Requirements: To be considered for this position, all applicants (both internal and external) must submit a thoroughly complete application.

Please follow these steps.

1. Complete the Employment Application in its Entirety

You must provide thorough and detailed information for all sections of the application form. An incomplete application will not be considered.

2. Attach All Required Documents (At Time of Application)

• Cover Letter

• Resume (up-to-date)

*Please note, submission of a resume does not satisfy the requirement for a thoroughly completed application.

Interviews: The first round of virtual interviews (In-Person, or Spark Hire/One-Way) will be scheduled within two to three weeks of position closing date.

EEO: Milwaukee Area Technical College will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need special accommodation for the application process, please contact our office at 414-297-6529 (Wisconsin Relay System: 711) or email jobs@matc.edu.
Milwaukee Area Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Access Educator/Employer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need special accommodation for the application process, please contact our office at 414-297-6529 (Wisconsin Relay System: 711) or email jobs@matc.edu.