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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Vocational School Manager

💰 $75,000 - $125,000

EducationManagementAdministrationCareer Services

🎯 Role Definition

As a Vocational School Manager, you are the chief executive of the campus, embodying the school's mission to transform students' lives through career-focused education. You will be entrusted with the overall leadership, administration, and operational management of the institution. This pivotal role involves driving student success from enrollment to graduation and employment, ensuring academic integrity, maintaining regulatory compliance, and achieving key financial and operational targets. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with a passion for workforce development, capable of inspiring a team of educators and staff to deliver an exceptional student experience and produce skilled, job-ready graduates.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Academic Dean or Director of Education
  • Director of Admissions or Enrollment Management
  • Lead Instructor or Department Chair with administrative experience
  • Corporate Training Manager

Advancement To:

  • Regional Director of Operations
  • Vice President of Campus Operations
  • Multi-Campus Executive Director
  • Chief Academic Officer (CAO)

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of Workforce Development at a Community College
  • Corporate Director of Learning & Development
  • University Director of Career Services

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Direct and oversee all aspects of campus operations, including academics, admissions, student services, financial aid, and career services to ensure a cohesive and high-functioning institution.
  • Develop and execute strategic plans to achieve and exceed key performance indicators (KPIs) related to student enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and graduate employment outcomes.
  • Provide dynamic leadership and direct supervision to all department heads and campus staff, fostering a positive, collaborative, and student-centric culture through regular coaching and performance management.
  • Manage the campus's Profit & Loss (P&L) statement, overseeing budget development, financial forecasting, and expense control to ensure fiscal responsibility and profitability.
  • Ensure the school maintains full compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as the standards set by accrediting bodies (e.g., ACCSC, ABHES).
  • Lead all student recruitment and admissions activities, implementing effective marketing and outreach strategies to attract and enroll qualified candidates who are a strong fit for the school's programs.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong, strategic partnerships with local employers, industry associations, and community organizations to enhance curriculum relevance and create robust job placement opportunities for graduates.
  • Champion academic excellence by overseeing curriculum delivery, ensuring instructional quality, and supporting faculty with professional development and resources.
  • Act as the primary liaison and public face of the campus, representing the school at community events, industry functions, and with local media to enhance its reputation and visibility.
  • Oversee the management of the physical campus facility, ensuring a safe, clean, and professional environment that is conducive to learning and compliant with all health and safety standards.
  • Drive a superior student experience by ensuring the effective delivery of support services, including academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, and personal support.
  • Analyze market data and industry trends to provide recommendations for new program development and the enhancement of existing curricula to meet evolving workforce demands.
  • Handle escalated student and staff issues, grievances, and disciplinary actions with professionalism, fairness, and in accordance with established school policies.

Secondary Functions

  • Spearhead campus-wide initiatives aimed at improving student satisfaction and engagement throughout their educational journey.
  • Oversee the procurement and inventory management of all educational equipment, technology, and instructional supplies to support hands-on learning.
  • Collaborate with the central marketing team to provide local insights and support the execution of national and regional marketing campaigns.
  • Prepare and present regular, comprehensive reports on campus performance to senior leadership or a board of directors.
  • Chair the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings, ensuring active participation from industry experts to keep programs current and relevant.
  • Participate in the development and revision of the institution's policies and procedures manual to reflect best practices and regulatory changes.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement by regularly evaluating operational processes and implementing efficiencies where possible.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • P&L Management: Proven ability to manage a budget, analyze financial reports, and drive profitability.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Deep understanding of state, federal, and accreditation standards governing post-secondary education.
  • Student Information Systems (SIS): Proficiency using SIS platforms (e.g., CampusVue, Banner) for data management and reporting.
  • Admissions & Enrollment Management: Expertise in modern recruitment funnels, lead management, and enrollment strategies.
  • Curriculum & Program Evaluation: Experience in assessing academic programs for effectiveness and market relevance.
  • Workforce Development: Knowledge of local labor market trends and experience building employer partnership pipelines.
  • Marketing & Sales Acumen: Skills in developing and executing local marketing plans to drive student inquiries.

Soft Skills

  • Inspirational Leadership: The ability to motivate, mentor, and lead a diverse team toward common goals and a shared vision.
  • Strategic Planning & Execution: Capable of translating high-level strategy into actionable plans and measurable results.
  • Exceptional Communication: Superior verbal, written, and public speaking skills to effectively engage with students, staff, and external partners.
  • Business Acumen: A strong, results-oriented mindset with the ability to make sound decisions that balance academic quality with business objectives.
  • Problem-Solving & Decision Making: Adept at identifying complex problems, evaluating options, and implementing effective solutions under pressure.
  • Interpersonal & Relational Skills: A natural ability to build rapport and establish trusting relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can navigate change effectively.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Education Administration, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Business Management
  • Education Leadership & Administration
  • Workforce Development
  • Public Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5-7 years of progressive leadership experience in a post-secondary educational environment, with a minimum of 3 years in a direct management role (e.g., Department Director, Academic Dean, Admissions Director).

Preferred:

  • Direct experience as a Campus Director, School Director, or Campus President in a private, for-profit vocational school or career college setting.
  • A demonstrable track record of successfully managing campus KPIs, including improving student retention, graduation, and in-field placement rates.
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