Manager, Student Success

Location: Flexible within the US

Type: Full-time

Team: Student Affairs and Student Services

Start Date: 10/1/2026

Priority Application Review Deadline: September 8. 2026

Summary:

Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay) is an accredited not-for-profit institution of higher education serving thousands of educators from across the country, from pre-service teachers to system-level leaders. Our mission is to ensure that all students are taught by excellent educators, in order to build a more just world where every student has a clear path to a fulfilling life.

The Student Affairs and Student Services team focuses on creating a safe, inclusive, and meaningful experience for all Relay students and alumni. The Manager, Student Success (MoSS) ensures that students are equipped to complete their program and meet educator certification requirements by providing proactive and culturally responsive advising. Reporting to the Director, Student Success, this role serves as the primary advisor for an assigned caseload, maintaining consistent communication and meeting key success metrics (e.g., retention, certification progress, course completion) throughout each student’s academic and certification journey. The MoSS collaborates closely with faculty, staff, and external partners to remove barriers, promote persistence, and ensure a positive, affirming student experience from enrollment to completion.

Role’s Contributions (Duties and Responsibilities): 

The essential responsibilities of this position, while not limited to the following, will include: 

Direct Student Support & Experience Enhancement (50%)

• Build authentic, trusting relationships that cultivate belonging, affirm students’ lived experiences, and increase persistence rates.
• Provide proactive, culturally responsive advising for course planning, degree progress, and licensure progress and completion.
• Conduct check-ins at key points each term (e.g., start, midterm, pre-registration) to address challenges and keep students on track.
• Identify academic, emotional, or logistical challenges and connect students with relevant institutional and community resources.
• Translate complex processes into clear, accessible information for decision-making.
• Support students in navigating educator certification milestones, including exam preparation, documentation, and application timelines.

Systems Management & Operational Excellence (30%)

• Monitor student performance using institutional dashboards and data tools to anticipate needs and respond proactively.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records for advising and certification progress to support intervention and accountability.
• Conduct degree and certification audits in collaboration with the Registrar and other administrative partners.
• Resolve issues related to registration, enrollment, or administrative holds that may disrupt student momentum.
• Ensure all certification requirements are met and properly documented, including state-specific testing and eligibility criteria.
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., Student Financial Services, Faculty, Academic Compliance) to eliminate procedural barriers and support student retention.

Policy Communication & Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

• Communicate certification policies, timelines, and procedures in a clear, student-friendly, and culturally responsive manner.
• Advise on how program changes (e.g., placement, certification area, or re-enrollment) impact certification timelines and eligibility.
• Liaise with state licensure agencies to submit verifications, resolve issues, and advocate for student licensure needs.
• Monitor and interpret changes in state certification regulations, and ensure timely updates are communicated to students and staff.
• Develop and maintain tools and resources (e.g., handbooks, FAQs, certification guides) to support the understanding of students and staff.
• Engage in institutional working groups, initiatives, or committees to inform policies and practices that enhance student success and equity.

QUALIFICATIONS

First and foremost, the Manager, Student Success must share the Relay community’s commitment to working together to improve student growth and achievement through phenomenal teacher preparation grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. This includes providing teacher preparation programs that set novice teachers up to succeed in the classroom from day one; leadership programs that train new and veteran school and district leaders to best serve their school