Director Academic Operations - Fort Myers Onsite

Director Academic Operations

The Director of Academic Operations (DAO) oversees daily operations, personnel, and academic outcomes. This role aligns academic and operational functions with institutional goals, driving financial and academic success through strategy, leadership, and process improvement. As a change agent, the DAO prioritizes results over activity, cultivates a student-focused culture, and ensures staff alignment with institutional objectives. Key responsibilities include student retention, satisfaction, campus performance metrics, ADA compliance, grievance resolution, and accreditation adherence.

Principal Accountabilities & Deliverables

• Lead campus operations, ensuring alignment with mission, values, and business standards
• Oversee faculty and staff recruitment, training, evaluation, and retention initiatives
• Drive continuous improvement through performance planning, coaching, and development
• Verify compliance with regulatory, accreditation, health, and safety standards
• Optimize educational and administrative processes to enhance financial and academic outcomes
• Collaborate with corporate leadership on regulatory adherence and reporting
• Develop strategies to improve student retention, engagement, and graduation rates
• Monitor student satisfaction, addressing grievances and implementing improvements
• Manage academic scheduling, faculty development, and student records
• Oversee budget planning, expense management, and key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Analyze data trends and implement action plans for operational and academic excellence
• Facilitate cross-department collaboration to enhance efficiency and student experience
• Maintain a confident and professional executive presence, fostering credibility and leadership
• Establish/maintain a high performance team of professional, motivated and engaged staff utilizing effective training, performance management and career-development activities while leading them to achieve established business results and performance metrics
• Recognizes and rewards employee contributions and achievements
• Other duties as assigned

Education / Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Healthcare Management, Business, or a related field (required)
• Master's degree in Education, Healthcare Management, Business, or a related field (preferred)
• Minimum of ten (10) years of related professional experience (required)
• Minimum of five (5) years of management/supervisory experience (required)
• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and accreditation standards/regulations, and retention/attrition measures (required)
• Advanced knowledge of Title IV funding regulations and regulatory compliance (preferred)

Skills

• Proficiency in negotiating favorable outcomes in various business interactions
• Strong financial acumen to assess data, drive strategic decisions, and manage resources effectively
• Facilitates regular, meaningful two-way communication
• Identify trends and track key metrics to determine overall effectiveness of initiatives and support of business goals and adjust strategies accordingly
• Actively look for ways to assist with employee's needs
• Understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
• Be aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do
• Identify complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Present ideas in a clear and compelling manner, both verbally and in written format
• Exceptional listening and conflict resolution skills
• Intermediate level presentation and training facilitation skills
• Drive, and be accountable for, results in a fast-paced environment
• Intermediate level proficiency with productivity software (MS Office), and other enterprise-level software (Adobe DC, SharePoint, etc.)

Standard Abilities

• Able and willing to:
• Communicate, think, learn, and reason
• Use computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to process transactions, store documents, enter data, or perform assigned tasks
• Safely ambulate and/or maneuver when on-site at Company locations
• Demonstrate and utilize active listening, inductive reasoning, information ordering and category flexibility
• Ability to use good judgment, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information with discretion
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where deadlines are essential and multiple projects are worked simultaneously
• Ability to gain, understand and apply information and data as it relates essential functions of the position
• Ability to foster long-term relationships with stakeholders

Work Environment

• Work is performed indoors in a climate-controlled environment when on site at assigned company location. Employees must be able to safely ambulate when on company premises.
• This position is designated as On Campus or On site; Work environments may include exposure to student learning environments with a variety of conditions. Employees must be able to follow all safety precautions including the use of personal-protective equipment. Employees must also be able to adhere to site-specific safety procedures
• Overnight and/or Local travel required (up to 25%)