Director of Student Success

About the role

Training Tomorrow's Technicians to Become Skilled, Employable and Essential.  About Us  - Big Changes, Better Benefits - Join us today!   The  Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM), established in 1969, is a premier institution dedicated to advancing the field of aviation maintenance through exceptional education and training. With 15 campuses nationwide, AIM is a cornerstone in the aviation industry, accounting for 20% of all students attending FAA-certified Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) schools across the country. Each year, AIM proudly contributes to the graduation of nearly one in four certified aircraft technicians in America. At AIM, you'll become part of a dynamic team of educators and leaders, all united by a shared commitment to delivering top-notch training and ensuring student success. We are passionate about equipping the next generation of aircraft technicians with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the aviation industry. If you are eager to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of aviation maintenance, AIM offers a rewarding environment where your contributions will truly matter. Location: 3711 South Ashland Ave Chicago, IL 60609 Schedule:  Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 6:00pm, Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm Occasional nights and weekends  Compensation:  Up to $95,000 annually   Relocation assistance available for qualified out of area candidates    Are you a strategic, student-center leader who is passionate about helping students achieve life-changing results? Are you a hands-on leader who thrives in a performance-drive environment?    If so, we would love to hear from you!     About the Role   The  Director of Student Success  is critical to ensuring our students are supported, engaged, and successful from enrollment through graduation and into meaningful employment. In this role, you will lead across  student services  and c areer services, aligning teams, systems, and strategies to drive measurable outcomes in retention, certification, graduation, and job placement.    Key Responsibilities   Lead the Full Student Lifecycle   Design and lead campus-wide retention and persistence strategies   Partner closely with academic leadership to identify at-risk students and implement timely interventions   Ensure students stay on track to meet academic, FAA certification, and graduation milestones   Drive Certification and Graduation Success   Oversee processes tied to FAA certification readiness, testing milestones, as well as accurate scheduling, follow-up, and reporting of FAA written exams and related requirements   Lead graduation preparation activities, including exit interviews, completion reviews, and transition planning   Oversee Career Readiness and Graduate Placement   Lead strategies focused on job readiness, professionalism, and placement outcomes, including ensuring that students and graduates receive high-quality coaching   Build and maintain strong relationships with employers and industry partners   Lead, Develop, and Inspire Teams   Directly supervise student services and career services staff.   Coach, mentor, and develop team members while fostering accountability and collaboration. Promote a unified culture that emphasizes proactive support and measurable outcomes.   Support onboarding and training of new staff.   Use Data to Drive Decisions   Monitor retention, certification, graduation, and placement data on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.   Analyze trends, identify risks, and implement improvement strategies.   Ensure accurate documentation and reporting in student information systems and dashboards.   Maintain compliance with all applicable institutional, regulatory and reporting requirements.   Engage with the Campus Community   Represent student success during new student orientation and campus events   Lead or support career fairs, employer engagement events, certification readiness sessions, and commencement activities   Participate in program advisory committee meetings   Qualifications   Education   High School Diploma or GED   Associate's or bachelor's degree preferred   Experience   5+ years of experience in student services, career services, human resources, recruiting, or a related student-support field   Proven success in a performance-driven environment with documented measurable outcomes   Experience leading teams and managing performance   Skills   Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to interpret data and drive action   Student-focused mindset with a commitment to service excellence   Proficient with Microsoft Office and willing to learn new systems   A positive, team-oriented approach and willingness to work outside regular business hours and travel locally or overnight as needed   Benefits   We are proud to offer a competitive compensation package that supports your personal and professional well-being. Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:   401(k) with company match   Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance available first day of employment  Life insurance options   Paid parental leave   Paid time off (PTO) to promote work-life balance   Tuition reimbursement for continued education   Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support   We are committed to fostering a workplace that values integrity, growth, and student success.   AIM 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.