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ACE Program Director

SUNY Cortland
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ACE Program Director

SUNY Cortland is seeking a dynamic and student-centered leader to implement and manage the Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) program — a comprehensive initiative designed to help students complete their degrees on time through integrated academic, financial, and personal support. The Program Director will manage all aspects of the program, ensure fidelity to the established ACE model, and collaborate with SUNY System and various college departments to achieve program goals and ensure student success.

Salary Range: $70,000

Major Responsibilities

ACE Program Management:

  • Lead the implementation and coordination of the program, ensuring alignment with SUNY guidelines, policies, and objectives.
  • Recruit, train, and supervise program staff, fostering a collaborative and student-centered environment.
  • Manage the program budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources and compliance with funding requirements.
  • Carefully monitor program metrics and utilize data to inform decision-making and program management.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with internal departments (e.g., admissions, financial aid, registrar) and external partners to enhance program effectiveness.
  • Formulate and implement local program policies and processes that align with the overarching mission of ACE.
  • Develop strategies to meet enrollment targets and support student retention through comprehensive services.

Leadership and Supervision:

  • Supervise ACE staff.
  • Articulate a vision that unites team members and define departmental objectives and goals to establish a common purpose.
  • Assign duties to staff based on their roles and adjust assignments as needed; and, plan, organize and monitor the progress of work and goal completion.
  • Hire, onboard, and train staff; provide clear instructions, regular feedback, and coaching; communicate performance expectations and goals, complete performance programs and evaluations in a timely manner; and, nurture the development of staff by identifying opportunities for training and career development.
  • Confirm staff complete required training to maintain compliance with university policies and state and federal laws.
  • Act as a liaison between staff and senior management, relaying information in both directions; facilitate open communication and collaboration within the office; and address and help resolve staff issues and workplace concerns.

Required Qualifications: Master’s degree in counseling, educational psychology, social work, higher education administration, or a related field; Minimum of 5 years in higher education administration, with a focus on student success initiatives and program management; Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills; Proficiency in data analysis and familiarity with student information and student success software products; and, Demonstrated dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within an educational setting.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with students from underserved communities and from diverse backgrounds; Supervisory experience, including recruiting, training, and managing staff; Budget management experience, including allocation and compliance with funding requirements; Experience with grant-funded programs, reporting, and compliance; and, Experience developing enrollment strategies and meeting recruitment targets.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

  • Knowledge of student retention strategies, academic support models, and holistic advising.
  • Knowledge of higher education policies, FERPA, and student services operations.
  • Knowledge of FAFSA processes, scholarship administration, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), and financial aid verification procedures.
  • Leadership and team management skills, including staff supervision and professional development.
  • Strategic planning skills to develop and implement student support programming, program policies, processes, and enrollment strategies.
  • Skill in budget management and resource stewardship.
  • Skill in interpersonal communication and collaboration with faculty, staff, and students.
  • Ability to work effectively across differences and foster inclusive engagement.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to evolving student and institutional needs.
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

About the University
A top public university of approximately 6,600 students located in the geographic center of New York State, SUNY Cortland provides accessible, affordable education to students from across the U.S. body. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on its rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, education, and professional studies. For more than 150 years, SUNY Cortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a well-rounded academic, athletic, and social experience. The University ranks among the top campuses in the nation on Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money List,” fields a powerhouse Division III athletics program and boasts an impressive network of alumni making a difference in education, business, government, fitness, medicine and many other fields.

What makes SUNY Cortland a Great Place to Work

Be part of a campus that values integrity, intellectual life, and a strong focus on students. Here, professional staff maintain a meaningful presence on campus and contribute to a supportive, forward-thinking learning environment. Watch this video to learn more about careers at SUNY Cortland: https://youtu.be/krNjgXC95M0?si=k2l13TUB9mJ9YjD8

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many offer permanency.
• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, long term disability and tuition reimbursement.
• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work-life balance and well-being in all forms. The university’s state-of-the-art Student Life Center is free for employees to use, with membership options for families. Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor’s approval.
• Professional development opportunities exist through training, continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference travel, based on funding.
• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. Experience Cortland dives deep into the region’s offerings


Apply Today!

For more information, application instructions, and to apply online, go to: https://jobs.cortland.edu/postings/11238 and be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume. Review of applications will begin June 16, 2026, and application materials will be accepted until the position is filled.


SUNY Cortland is an AA/EEO/ADA employer and encourages applications from women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented groups.