Director of Student Life – Student Affairs (Fixed-Term for 3 Years)

Job title: Director of Student Life – Student Affairs (Fixed-Term for 3 Years)

Company: New York University Abu Dhabi

Job description: Position Summary

UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to appoint a Director of Student Life.

Student Life is a department within the larger Student Affairs Division. The Director of Student Life engages with a dynamic portfolio focused on co-curricular student engagement and leadership development including direct oversight of: Residential Experience, Residential Operations, Leadership Programs, First-Year Onboarding and a team of 24/7 on-call emergency responders. , Student Conduct, In addition, this position plays a critical role working with Student Activities, Class-Year Experiences (including Senior Year Programming), Additionally, this role partners closely with academic affairs, the health center, and other student affairs offices to ensure a robust system of resources that addresses the full range of student support needs. This portfolio recognizes the many ways in which outside-the-classroom learning is intertwined with the residential experience, so the Director will play a vital leadership role in defining the priorities, integration, and collaboration across this portfolio and across the larger Division of Student Affairs.

The Director is a member of the Student Affairs extended leadership and a key deputy to the Dean of Students, works to develop, lead, and implement a set of coordinated programs and resources that enable students to reach their full potential and develop meaningful co-curricular skills that strategically align the functions of the strategic goals of the division. As a leader and supervisor, the Director oversees resource management, strategic planning, budget and fiscal affairs, and facility matters related to the department’s portfolio, and partners closely with the Dean of Students to ensure proper planning and management of institutional resources to meet the needs of students and the community. This role is responsible for the support, development, and mentorship of staff within the department and as a mentor / role model for other student affairs staff.

The Director provides general advise and support to a designated cohort of students; proactively offers counsel and support for student groups and leaders; serves on the Emergency On-Call with rotating on-call responsibilities that involve the management and/or coordination of student-related crises with relevant stakeholders at the university; is an active contributor to and participant in recruiting and new student on-boarding events; and actively connects faculty and community members to the work of student affairs. The Director is an active contributor to university and division-wide programs, including admissions events, new student orientation, student leadership training, athletic programs, and more. This role requires frequent evening and weekend activities throughout the academic year.

Key Responsibilities:

Supervision and Oversight of Functional Areas

• Provide strategic and operational oversight for multiple functional areas/departments within Student Affairs, including Student Activities, Class-year Programs, Residential Experience, Residential Operations and Student Conduct. Provide mentorship and support to departmental directors in the management and development of their staff, programs, services, and operations. Identify areas of collaboration and/or integration between teams, and serve as a resource for staff in these areas. Identify opportunities for professional and personal growth for staff
• Programs will include specific strategies and mechanisms to connect students to the Abu Dhabi and UAE community, encourage student self-reflection through engagement and dialogue, help students draw connections between their experiences outside of the classroom and the types of questions and theoretical lessons often encountered through the academic curriculum
• Develop a comprehensive assessment of programs to ensure alignment with the mission statement as the institution continues to evolve. Coordinate divisional assessment initiatives and ensure departmental representation in annual and monthly reports
• Recruit, onboard, supervise, evaluate, manage and lead staff, using sound management and supervisory practices. Provide strategic counsel to the Dean of Students regarding personnel matters in these functional areas/departments
• Provide strategic direction and oversight over fiscal operations for multiple functional areas/departments within Student Affairs. Partner with the Dean of Students Office to plan and execute long-term budgeting and financial planning for Student Affairs. Exercise thoughtful management of Division funds and resources in close coordination with department directors

Student Support, Outreach and Hiring

• Provide guidance and advising support to students and student groups, serve as a resource to faculty on student issues, and serve as an advisor to a cohort of first-year students. Work with individual students on personal concerns, offer guidance and referrals to other resources, monitor/follow-up with students to ensure that needs are fully addressed. Partner with Student Affairs leadership to review and improve student outreach, advising, and support structures to best meet developmental and identity/community needs of students
• Work closely with students, SIGs and advisory groups to promote student activities and events, and collaborate with other Student Affairs departments to ensure a robust array of recreational, educational, and co-curricular options. Actively seek to stay informed about student interests, concerns, and aspirations to appropriately advocate for individual students and the student body. Engage with other stakeholders across NYU to connect students with relevant resources and opportunities. Remain a visible and engaged member of the NYUAD community, supporting student events & initiatives across the year. Respond to campus climate issues and collaborate with the Student Affairs Leadership for equity and inclusion concerns in the student body
• Overseeing the team that manages the recruitment, hiring, and training of 100+ student leaders working across multiple areas such as residential assistants, first year dialogue facilitators etc. Ensure alignment with leadership development competencies across the division and explore opportunities for joint training

Student Affairs Divisional Leadership

• As a member of the Student Affairs Leadership, work closely with Division leadership to develop a well-coordinated set of services, programs, and initiatives that advance NYUAD’s broader educational mission and reflect core commitments to Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, and Equity (IDBE)
• Proactively provide mentorship, support, and leadership for Division staff to enhance staff learning, development, and collaboration including participating/leading professional development activities that reflect key competencies in student affairs
• Provide strategic counsel to the AVC/DOS and other divisional leaders to improve student programs, staff development, and operational capabilities. Actively participate in division-wide strategic planning and reporting efforts, including implementation of assessment and evaluation practices to develop valid and reliable instruments for measuring student learning, satisfaction, and engagement
• Identify and cultivate opportunities for Campus Life to advance its mission in strategic and/or innovative ways, through community partnerships, collaboration with NYU New York and/or NYU Shanghai, and/or integration of emerging trends in student affairs.

Strategic Initiatives and Projects

• Work on Campus Life-wide initiatives at the discretion of the AVC/DOS, including participating in university committees, contributing to the creation of Student Affairs publications and communications, taking a leadership role in the planning and implementation of Division-hosted conferences, and sharing responsibility for the development of policies as a member of the Dean’s senior staff. Staff major campus events and programs, such as Commencement and Marhaba student orientation
• Develop collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and other departments to provide additional learning opportunities and partnerships that enhance the student experience. Represent the Student Affairs Division and the AVC/DOS in community events (on and off campus) and proactively build relationships/partnerships that advance student affairs work at NYU Abu Dhabi

Emergency Response, Crisis, and On-Call Responsibilities

• Partner with colleagues from different departments to provide crisis management support and identify appropriate interventions for students at risk. Serve as a senior member of the Student Affairs on-call rotation, providing oversight for emergency situations and guidance for other staff who are assisting. In collaboration with Student Affairs leadership, refine and review crisis management protocols and plans. Identify further opportunities to ensure staff have appropriate training and knowledge to support students. Serve as a conduct/judicial officer, providing thoughtful and developmentally appropriate review and application of student conduct policies
• Serve on the emergency on-call rotation, maintaining a 20-minute response time while on call

Qualifications

Required Education:

• Master’s degree in in Education, Student Affairs, Social Sciences or a related field

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible senior administrative experience in an academic environment, higher education/student affairs, or equivalent combination. Must include experience with developing academic programs and administering student services
• Demonstrated excellence in leadership and managerial skills and the capacity to supervise, coach, and lead Student Affairs staff
• Experience working with a highly diverse student body and commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Experience and proficiency in supporting students and student groups
• Experience and proficiency in the planning, coordination and implementation of projects and programs
• Experience in strategic planning, assessment, and budget management
• Knowledge and experience in equity and inclusion, cultural competence, and conflict management
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, administrators and external partners and stakeholders
• Ability to appreciate and incorporate diverse learning styles, educational backgrounds, and communication styles
• Ability to interact and communicate with individuals at all levels
• Excellent listening skills to accurately understand others and provide effective feedback
• Good judgment, discretion, independence and initiative
• A capacity to work collegially and collaboratively
• Excellent presentation, written and oral communication skills in English
• An ability to prioritize and to handle multiple projects on tight deadlines, organized work habits, consistent accuracy, and attentiveness to detail
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Additional Information

EEO

Expected salary:

Location: Abu Dhabi

Job date: Sat, 09 Mar 2024 01:41:13 GMT

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