Education OPT Jobs in Florida

Job Description

The Project Manager of Title III Student Success supports Stetson University by helping our students grow. This senior professional position provides strategic leadership and oversight for student success initiatives among low-income, first-generation students across the university. This position is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating coaching outcomes, systems, and strategies that support student progression, retention, and graduation. The Project Manager exercises discretion and independent judgment in leading the Student Success Coach, developing departmental operational procedures, and collaborating with university partners to create innovative approaches to student support. The Project Manager will maintain a portion of the success coaching caseload, serving approximately one-third of the program participants. Serving as a member of the Office of Cultural, Community, and Civic Engagement team, the Project Manager is the subject matter expert, providing guidance aligned with institutional and departmental goals while ensuring consistent, high-quality coaching services. The Project Manager will work to advance Stetson's commitment to student success through data-driven decision making, staff development, and collaborative partnerships across campus. In alignment with Stetson’s Strategic Priorities, the Project Manager will advance Student-Centered Success and Wellness by building a relationship-rich, data-informed coaching program that helps low-income, first-generation students persist and graduate. This position is expected to allocate approximately 50% of its time to direct student support and 50% to program leadership.

This is a full-time, grant-funded position with an anticipated duration from October 2026 through September 2031. While efforts are underway to secure permanent funding beyond September 2031, continued employment beyond that date cannot be guaranteed.

Anticipated Start Date: January 4, 2027

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities: Employment duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide strategic leadership and expertise for the institution’s low-income, first-generation student success program, serving as the primary point of contact for university partners.
• Hire, supervise, and develop the Student Success Coach, conducting performance reviews and providing guidance to increase professional development, job performance, and satisfaction.
• Provide student success coaching through collaborative management of individualized student success plans for approximately 160 program participant students.
• Design and implement coaching curricula, including a generalized student success plan template, student skill development workshop series, and holistic and proactive strategies to help increase student progression, retention, graduation, and post-graduate success among low-income, first-generation students.
• Create tools to measure and assess program goals; evaluate effectiveness of programs and use data to identify trends supporting strategic decision-making.
• Assess student engagement reports and surveys routinely to evaluate strategy effectiveness and ensure supportive educational environment.
• Monitor and resolve coaching-related grievances and challenges that create barriers to student success.
• Provide direction and guidance for new student onboarding programs and activities.
• Collaborate with IT and software solution partners to maintain and improve student success systems.
• Stay current on state and federal guidelines, college policies, and emerging trends related to student success and academic support.
• Coordinate outreach efforts for program participants with academic concerns, including midterm interventions and success workshops.
• Perform duties in person, including extended periods of computer work, individual and group meetings with students, and presentations to campus audiences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and demeanor to work effectively with university faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Knowledge of student success strategies, methodologies, and best practices in higher education.
• Skill in effectively communicating interpersonally, orally, in writing, and through group facilitation.
• Ability to lead, supervise, and develop assigned staff effectively.
• Ability to organize work, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Ability to research, analyze, and interpret information to make strategic decisions and resolve problems.
• Strong presentation skills for various constituencies, environments, and audience sizes.
• Proficiency with personal computers and office software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports, presentations, and training materials.
• Ability to work collaboratively in team environments while exercising independent judgment.
• Understanding of confidentiality requirements for all university information.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Support the University’s Mission and Values in their role.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in student personnel, counseling and guidance, student services, higher education administration, or related field.
• Experience with data analysis, program assessment, and strategic planning.
• Highly proficient with web-based resources, student information systems, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
• Desire to join a distinct university community committed to inclusive excellence, kindness, and collaboration, as it seeks to move Forward Together in making our community and world a better place.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record as determined by the University’s auto insurance carrier.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

• Minimum three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in academic advising, student success coaching, or related field.
• Knowledge of impediments common to low-income and first-generation student success and effective, evidence-based intervention and support strategies.
• Experience supervising professional or paraprofessional staff.
• Experience with staff development, evaluation, and training program design.
• Experience in higher education at a private liberal arts institution.
• Background in curriculum development and learning outcomes assessment.
• Experience with budget management and resource allocation.

Work Environment: This is an in-person position involving extended periods of work at a computer in a busy office environment with potential distractions.

Work authorization sponsorship may be available for this position. However, sponsorship is contingent upon the non-applicability of the visa petition fees outlined in the relevant Executive Order signed September 19, 2025. Due to the recent federally mandated increased financial expense, the university is not in a position to absorb this significantly increased cost of sponsorship for new H-1B petitions at this time. International candidates are encouraged to apply but should be aware that eligibility for sponsorship will be evaluated in accordance with current U.S. immigration regulations and institutional policies.