Student Services Director, Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science (CS Department Lead)

The Student Services Director, Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science (CS Department Lead), provides strategic, adaptive, and operational leadership for all academic advising and student services functions within the Department of Computer Science (CS). Reporting to the Department’s Senior Business Officer, this position directs the department’s student services organization, overseeing advising and academic operations for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral populations.

As the largest department within the Viterbi School of Engineering, CS serves over 4,000 students across multiple programs and degree levels during a period of rapid transformation driven by advances in artificial intelligence, evolving industry demand, and significant shifts in the higher education landscape. The Director provides direct oversight of approximately 11 professional staff within the student services team, ensuring cohesive, high-quality, and student-centered service delivery across all advising levels. This position ensures that departmental advising operations align with University policy, School-wide standards, and the Viterbi Student Services Handbook: Standards & Expectations for Academic Advising and its companion Appendix: Service Standards & Benchmarks.

In addition to overseeing advising operations, this role plays a critical strategic role in supporting the Department’s broader student recruitment, yield, and retention strategy—particularly for undergraduate and graduate CS programs operating in a highly competitive and rapidly changing market. The Director works closely with the Department Chair, Vice Chairs, faculty leadership, and VASE Student & Academic Services to anticipate emerging enrollment trends, adapt student services models accordingly, and ensure the CS student experience remains aligned with academic, industry, and workforce realities.

The Director works closely with faculty program chairs, departmental leadership, and VASE Student & Academic Services to coordinate policy implementation, improve operational efficiency, and foster consistent student support practices across all program areas.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for all advising and student services functions supporting undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral populations.

• Lead and supervise approximately 11 professional student services staff, including advising supervisors and specialists across all degree levels.

• Recruit, train, develop, and evaluate advising staff; ensure cross-training and coverage for seamless student service delivery.

• Oversee day-to-day operations related to academic advising, degree progress, petitions, student records, and enrollment management.

• Ensure departmental compliance with University and School policies governing curriculum, academic standing, and degree progression.

• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean for Student & Academic Services to maintain alignment with the Viterbi Student Services Handbook and School-wide advising standards.

• Partner closely with the Department Chair and Vice Chairs to align student services strategy with departmental academic priorities, enrollment goals, and evolving disciplinary trends in computer science and artificial intelligence.

• Support and inform the Department’s student recruitment, yield, and retention strategy by providing insight on student demand, advising capacity, program structure, and student experience across degree levels.

• Analyze enrollment, progression, and student experience data to identify emerging patterns related to AI-driven curriculum changes, labor market shifts, and broader higher education trends.

• Advise the Department Chair, Vice Chairs, and faculty on student trends, enrollment data, and advising-related initiatives.

• Represent the department in School-wide meetings, committees, and cross-unit planning efforts related to advising and student support.

• Lead change management efforts within the student services team to ensure agility, adaptability, and continuous alignment with a rapidly evolving academic and enrollment environment.

• Lead initiatives to enhance advising quality, process efficiency, and student satisfaction through data-informed decision-making.

• Foster a culture of professionalism, inclusivity, and continuous improvement within the advising team.

VITERBI ADVISING STANDARDS

All Student Services staff are expected to execute their responsibilities in accordance with the Viterbi Student Services Handbook: Standards & Expectations for Academic Advising and its Appendix: Service Standards & Benchmarks. These standards promote consistency, accountability, and collaboration across the Viterbi School of Engineering, ensuring that all students receive equitable, accurate, and high-quality advising support.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS & TEAM STRUCTURE
Reports to: Senior Business Officer.
Supervises: Approximately eleven professional student services staff responsible for advising undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students.
Collaborates closely with: Department Chair, Vice Chairs, Faculty program directors, departmental leadership, and VASE Student & Academic Services colleagues.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field preferred.

• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in academic advising or student services, including at least three years in a supervisory or managerial capacity.

• Demonstrated success leading large advising or student services teams in a complex academic environment.

• Demonstrated ability to operate strategically in periods of organizational, disciplinary, or enrollment change.

• Experience partnering with academic leadership on enrollment strategy, student recruitment, or program growth initiatives is strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge of USC academic policies, student information systems, and advising processes.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a high-volume, fast-paced department.

• High degree of adaptability, sound judgment, and comfort navigating ambiguity in a rapidly evolving higher education environment.

• Commitment to operational excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
All Student Services, Programs, and Engagement staff, both within VASE and in the academic departments, are required to work onsite a minimum of four days per week, with one remote day permitted. Work schedules must align with regular USC business hours to ensure consistent service delivery and effective team collaboration. This schedule applies uniformly across all units, and adherence to it is an expectation of employment in support of the School’s student service standards.

The annual base salary range for this position is $102,551.47 - $120,269.32. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope of responsibilities, work experience, education and training, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

DISCLAIMER
This description outlines the general nature and level of work performed; it is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required. Management may assign or reassign duties to respond to organizational priorities and evolving needs.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
Minimum Experience: 5 years
Minimum Field of Expertise: Managerial experience in student programming or services

                                                  

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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