Associate Dean of Students for Student Experience and Operations

Department

SSD: Dean of Students - Staff and Temporary Employees

About the Department

Consistently ranked among the top ten social science research universities in the world, the Division of Social Sciences at the University of Chicago is at the vanguard of inquiry and impact. Whether through the field-defining scholarship of the Chicago Schools in Sociology, Political Science, and Economics, the path-breaking impact of the first graduate international affairs program in the U.S., the creation of interdisciplinary programs in the Department of Comparative Human Development and the John U. Nef Committee on Social Thought, or many other pivotal milestones, the Division has repeatedly transformed the social sciences since its founding in 1930.

The Dean of Students Office provides leadership and strategic direction across a broad range of administrative practices, policies, and services to enrich graduate student experience and promote students’ academic and professional success. The Associate Dean of Students reports to the Dean of Students and is a member of the Dean of Students senior leadership team.

Job Summary

The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for planning, administering, and leading a variety of student services. Develops and implements orientation and onboarding programs for incoming students and future enrollment strategies. Ensures that staff properly monitor student performance, evaluate student academic records, and authorize convocation eligibility.

Reporting to the Dean of Students of the Division of the Social Sciences, the Associate Dean of Students for Student Experience and Operations is responsible for the managing academic, financial aid, and teaching records for the for the 1,200-plus graduate students in the Social Sciences at the University of Chicago, providing guidance for students in difficult situations, implementing disability accommodations, and ensuring divisional compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Responsibilities

• With departmental and program staff, tracks student progress and maintains accurate course enrollment, academic milestone, and teaching assignment records to inform strategies that promote retention, success, and a positive learning environment.
• Collaborates with the Dean of Students to address and resolve student issues related to academics, behavior, and well-being, ensuring timely support and intervention.
• Oversees retention and persistence efforts, transitions to and from the University and provides strategic leadership for ensuring proactive interventions including holds, probation status, leaves and returns, and graduation.
• Coordinates care for students including partnering with UChicagoGRAD, the Dean-on-Call, Student Wellness, and other University offices to provide holistic support for students in crisis.
• Assists office leadership in providing direction to divisional community in the event of a student emergency or death or other significant student crisis, working with key staff in Campus and Student Life, the University of Chicago Police Department, College Communications, families, faculty, staff, as well as student communities.
• Works with the Dean of Students and Graduate Student Financial Coordinator to administer and manage all financial aid and student-related endowment funds for the Division and ensure proper funding of students in all phases of training.
• With the Dean of Students, executes the annual budget process, and conducts ongoing finance/accounting updates and reporting.
• Oversees budget and expenditures of the Office of the Dean of Students.
• Leads and manages a team with a team of direct reports responsible for Student Finances and Student Events, ensuring seamless operations, strategic alignment, and high-quality student support throughout their academic lifecycle.
• Manages the execution of the division’s registration, enrollment, grading, and graduation procedures.
• Identifies and implements technological solutions to improve operating efficiencies and assure veracity of data gathering.
• Implements best practices and stays informed on all aspects of student
• Manages divisional projects and initiatives, in-whole, in-part, and in collaboration with, partner offices relating to student support and persistence.
• Collaborates as needed with partner offices.
• Manages the execution of the school’s registration, enrollment, grading, and graduation procedures. Creates plans to coordinate student affairs activities between students and faculty.
• Manages a team of individuals that validate the academic status of students within the school to ensure proper tuition assessments and scholarship awards.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.

Experience:

• Leadership experience successfully managing people and projects, providing direction, setting priorities, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing major initiatives for change.
• Experience in administering student affairs in a college or university environment, working directly with students.
• Ability to navigate the challenges of working within a complex, decentralized environment.
• Ability to successfully manage a workload that balances long-range planning with the unanticipated daily demands of managing a busy operation.
• Strong student advising/student support skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
•  Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with diverse constituencies, including faculty.

 

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Experience using PeopleSoft, Salesforce, Excel, FileMaker Pro, SmartSheets, and Stellic.

 

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References (3) (required)

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$101,462.00 - $131,304.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.