Director – Military & Veteran Success

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 engagement activities tailored to the needs of military-affiliated students.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• This position requires either twelve years of directly related full-time experience or, as an alternative, a Master’s degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of full-time experience directly related to the job functions.
• Full-time professional experience in cultivating community partnerships to expand educational and professional development opportunities for veteran and military-affiliated students.
• Experience advocating for veteran or military-affiliated organizations.
• Experience coordinating programs.
• Experience working in a higher education or business setting.
• Experience working with people in a student-centered or customer service-oriented setting.
• Experience operating a personal computer and proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher and Outlook).
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Eight years full-time professional experience in cultivating community partnerships to expand educational and professional development opportunities for veteran and military-affiliated students.
• Experience cultivating campus and community partnerships to expand educational and professional development opportunities for veteran and military affiliated students.
• Veteran or military connected status preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership techniques, and coordination of people and resources.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards relating to veterans and military students and dependents.
• Knowledge of remote and distance learning modalities.
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Skill in public speaking and delivering presentations to individuals and groups.
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to prioritize and complete simultaneous projects within deadlines.
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Skill in examining and evaluating operations and developing and/or redesign operating strategies, systems, and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate programs and events.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion at all times.
• Ability to effectively manage the work of others by providing information, guidance and motivation.
• Ability to develop, interpret, and evaluate policies and procedures.
• Ability to travel and work evenings, nights and weekends as necessary.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with staff, faculty, students, and the community in a service-oriented environment.

Pay Grade 19

Applications received prior to August 15, 2025 will receive priority review.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.