This research investigates the factors shaping Academic Career Success (ACS) and Subjective Well-Being (SWB) among university faculty, emphasizing the mediating role of Psychological Capital (PsyCap). The study examines Work–Family Conflict (WFC) and Self-Directed Career Management (SDCM) as primary predictors, and considers gender, generational cohort, and educational attainment as potential moderators. Data were collected from 146 academics working in public and private Indonesian universities, each with a minimum of one year of professional experience. The analysis indicates that PsyCap serves as a significant mediator linking WFC and SDCM to ACS, while also having a direct positive effect on career success. Demographic factors did not moderate the relationships with SWB or ACS, but they exerted notable direct effects on ACS: higher education and older generational cohorts were associated with greater career achievements. While ACS levels did not differ by gender, female academics reported significantly higher SWB than males. These findings highlight PsyCap as a vital asset for fostering career advancement and well-being, and underscore the influence of demographic characteristics on academic trajectories. Enhancing PsyCap may represent a practical approach to simultaneously support professional growth and personal well-being in higher education.
