Associate Director, Student Transitions

About the Role

The University of Waikato seeks an experienced leader to head its student success and resolution services, focusing on supporting students throughout their academic journey from admission to graduation. This permanent, full-time position is located at the Hillcrest Campus and offers additional university leave, competitive superannuation, flexible working arrangements, onsite parking, and discounted gym access.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Director of Student Services, the Associate Director will oversee strategic and operational facets of student success and resolution functions. You will manage teams delivering services related to student conversion, retention, programme advice, complaints, appeals, discipline, and academic integrity, ensuring student persistence and achievement. This role offers meaningful scope to shape the development and delivery of these functions in alignment with the University's evolving academic portfolio and student needs.

Who You Are

You bring a strong background in student services or comparable complex service environments, combining strategic insight with hands-on operational excellence. You possess robust judgement and uphold procedural fairness dealing with sensitive matters. Academic qualifications include a postgraduate degree with relevant experience or a bachelor's degree with significant experience.

Key Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience in learner/success student support or complex service delivery environments.
• Capability in strategic leadership, team management, and operational oversight.
• Track record of leading initiatives that enhance learner engagement, retention, progression, and quality of resolution processes.
• Deep understanding of factors affecting student transitions, belonging, persistence, success, and completion in tertiary education.
• Competency in budget management, resource allocation, performance measurement, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, including engaging with students and their whānau and managing complex student discipline and appeals with fairness.
• Demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori, effectively incorporating these into leadership and service delivery.

Additional Assets

Postgraduate qualifications, experience with student management, CRM or case management systems, and knowledge of natural justice principles in student-related processes are desirable.

About Student Transitions

Embedded within Student Services, this area supports students in making informed choices, successful transitions, ongoing persistence, and fair resolution of concerns throughout their learning journey. The team offers integrated, coordinated interventions across conversion, retention, advice, complaints, appeals, discipline, and academic integrity—collectively enhancing student success and institutional confidence.

Why Join Us?

The University of Waikato stands out as a dynamic institution with a global education footprint and research impact. Joining means enjoying a supportive and rewarding work environment complemented by numerous benefits. The University values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds who have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Additional Information

• Salary range: NZD 123,224 to 141,022 per year pro rata, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Work hours: 37.5 hours per week.
• Location: Hillcrest Campus, Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand.
• Applications close on August 16, 2026.
• Requisition number: 1003818.