Director, Military & Veteran Success

Job Summary

The Director, Military & Veteran Success is responsible for the strategic leadership, long-term planning, and operational oversight of military and veteran programs and services, ensuring alignment with Florida Gulf Coast University’s Strategic Plan and institutional priorities. This position ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations related to military education benefits while fostering a supportive campus environment. The Director collaborates across multiple divisions and departments, builds key partnerships, and leads initiatives to strengthen services and engagement opportunities for veterans, service members, and their families.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

• Provides visionary leadership, strategic alignment, and oversight for all military and veteran student support services, ensuring program effectiveness, continuous improvement, and the success and well-being of military-connected students.
• Leads and supervises Military & Veteran Success professional and support staff, providing strategic direction, performance management, and professional development opportunities while ensuring regulatory compliance and high-quality service delivery.
• Develops and implements data-driven strategic and operational plans that translate university goals into actionable student success initiatives.
• Establishes departmental policies, goals, and implementation strategies, ensuring compliance with current university, state, and federal regulations to include Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, financial aid, and other state and federal financial programs.
• Manages and administers the department’s annual operating budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility, compliance with university financial policies, and strategic funding allocations to enhance services and resources for students.
• Advises university leadership on military and veteran-related initiatives, providing insights and recommendations for new programs, special projects, and policy enhancements.
• Develops and strengthens partnerships across university departments (including Admissions, Registration, Financial Aid, Student Account Services, Adaptive Services, CAPS, TRIO, Career Development, Testing, Internships, and Service Learning) to create a seamless support network for military-connected students.
• Oversees departmental communications, marketing strategies, and public relations efforts, including the development of promotional materials, website content, and email campaigns to increase awareness and engagement.
• Identifies and addresses service gaps to improve student retention, academic success, and overall experience for veterans and their dependents.
• Develops, administers, and analyzes continuous assessment measures, including statistical reports and impact evaluations, to guide program improvement and decision-making.
• Cultivates a sense of community for military-connected students and employees by fostering engagement, networking, Green Zone employee awareness training, annual veteran events, and peer support through initiatives such as PATH: Peer Assistance for Transitioning Heroes.
• Partners with Enrollment Management: Admissions Non-traditional/Transfer Team for the recruitment and enrollment of military/Veteran students and their dependents.
• Establishes and nurtures external partnerships with community-based organizations and veteran-serving agencies to expand outreach and support services.
• Represents the university in stakeholder meetings, military and veteran-related events, and networking opportunities to strengthen institutional commitment to military-affiliated students.
• Maintains FGCU’s Purple Star Campus designation by ensuring compliance with program requirements, including faculty/staff training and student support initiatives.
• Supports the Executive Committee for Military & Veteran Strategic Initiatives.
• Provides operational support for the Military & Veteran Success Advisory Council.

Other Duties:

• Stays current on policies and procedures related to veterans' education benefits, and trends in the development of innovative and enhanced programming.
• Participates in state, regional, and national professional organizations, conferences, and workshops.
• Maintains professional memberships and certifications.
• Collaborates with University Advancement to identify philanthropic opportunities.
• Maximizes the use of technology in all operational and strategic aspects of student support.
• Oversees the MVS office as a veteran-friendly space where students can access resources, study, network, and engage with peers.
• Oversees the development of workshops, programs, and engageme