Executive Director, University Student Life Operations

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

475 Alumni Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627

Opening:

Worker Subtype:
Regular

Time Type:
Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40

Department:
200102 Office for Student Life

Work Shift:
UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:
UR URG 115

Compensation Range:
$96,860.00 - $145,290.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

GENERAL PURPOSE:
The Exec. Director, University Student Life Operations is a key executive role providing visionary and strategic leadership for the operations of University Student Life (USL). Reporting to the Vice President for Student Life (VPSL), this position will provide leadership for a growing professional team including student life building management and capital projects; student services; finance and administration; systems administration; and the future University Events Office. Liaises with all pillars of USL (Athletics, Residential Life & Housing, Campus Dining, University Health Service, Cultural and Spiritual Life, and Student Engagement) and works closely with the University's Senior Leadership team, Deans and Directors across the institution, as well as the Office of Advancement and major donors. They will also serve as a member of the VPSL senior leadership team and participate in establishing divisional goals in accordance with the University's strategic plan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Strategic Leadership

• Directs the Operations Team for USL which includes oversight of the following areas: student life building management and capital projects; student services; finance and administration; systems administration; and the University Events Office (future).
• Liaises with all pillars of USL (Athletics, Residential Life & Housing, Dining, University Health Service, Cultural and Spiritual Life, and Student Engagement) regarding student life space, finances, technology systems, and events. Also liaises with all schools regarding student life spaces.
• Strategically plans and aligns needs for student life spaces / services through the lens of belonging and inclusivity, in alignment with Boundless Possibility and the USL strategic plan.
• Provides strategic leadership to the USL Operations Team.
• Participates in strategic planning processes as an integral member of the VPSL's Executive Management Team.

Capital Planning / Facilities Management:

• Acts as key liaison with University partners including Facilities, Emergency Planning, Academic Center Space Planning, and Advancement to provide a student life lens to University operations.
• Analyzes space utilization reports, identifies areas for improvement, and develops space allocation plans based on new requirements and organizational growth.
• Develops policies to maximize usage for University Student Life related to space, facilities, and services and their interaction with the rest of the University.
• Provides road map for future student life facilities and renovations to implement the university's strategic plan.
• Meets with members of project teams on behalf of VPSL such as architects, designers, major donors, etc. and represents USL in these meetings.
• Manages relationships and mobilizes resources to meet goals, spotting and mitigating potential issues.
• Consultant for other areas in University regarding long range planning for capital planning and future facilities through a student life lens.
• Works with leaders in all schools to identify needs and explore opportunities for creation of or management of additional spaces that impact the co-curricular experience and student well-being.

Services & Systems:

• Provides leadership for student services in the USL portfolio which enhance the student experience including, but not limited to the Campus Information Center, the Food Pantry, Hartnett Art Gallery, Campus Box Office and Reservations.
• Assesses student need to determine the expansion of future services, or growth of existing services, on a continual basis.
• Provides oversight for the assessment of all technology/systems (including but not limited to CCC, Advocate, UR Space, StarRez, AudienceView, and EMS) utilized by the departments within University Student Life to coordinate and optimize efficiencies.
• Ensures meaningful and effective student employment program within University Student Life which includes several hundred student employees.

Event Management

• Provides strategic oversight for USL events.
• Develops policies and procedures for events in coordination with senior leadership and school deans.
• Optimizes resources for the successful intake and execution of events in Student Life Spaces and provides leadership which ensures successful, well-managed and safe events that support diversity of thought.
• Ensures a high level of coordination with department and University sponsored events.
• Creates a centralized University Events Office responsible for the coordination, planning, management, and execution of events held across all academic and student life units of the University within the next two years. Benchmarks and conduct a thorough needs analysis with peer institutions. Create organizational structure, recruit, and hire new team members.

Fiscal Management

• Provides fiscal oversight of an annual budget predetermined by the VPSL.
• Assures the budget aligns with the strategic initiatives of University Student Life.
• Participates actively in donor stewardship and development efforts, collaborating with the Office of Advancement & Office of Alumni Relations and Constituent Engagement. Cultivates relationships with and works directly with future and current donors as needed.
• Leads the strategic direction of capital spending throughout all areas of USL. Collaborates with and provides guidance to USL Executive Directors to develop thoughtful and fiscally responsible capital project ideas and priorities.

Staff Supervision

• Provides leadership, support, and mentorship to a team of professional staff members.
• Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of work performance. Conducts regular staff meetings and one-on-one meetings.
• Provides professional development activities and opportunities for staff to continually enhance their expertise.
• Provides guidance for annual goal setting and submit annual performance evaluations for direct reports.

Special Projects:

• Representative on University committees as assigned.
• Leads special projects and assignments at the request of Sr Leadership.

Professional Development:

• Actively participates in professional organizations, preferably in a leadership capacity.
• Participates in professional writing, publications, and/or presentations.

Other Duties as Assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a Master's Degree in higher education or related field required.
• 8 years of progressive leadership roles within student affairs required.
• 5 years of direct supervision to staff required.
• Significant experience with space planning, facility management, capital planning, budget management, project management, and / or construction/renovation management preferred.
• Student Focused - Evaluates, develops, and advocates for spaces and services that enhance the student experience required.
• Action Oriented - Willing to take initiative and practical action to manage a problem or situation required.
• Communication - Communicates strategically to achieve specific objectives. Uses opportunities to promote dialogue and develop shared understanding and consensus required.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifies complex problems and reviews related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions required.
• Critical Thinking - Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems required.
• Organizational Effectiveness - Ability to marshal resources (people, funding, and support) to accomplish the work needed. Can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal, uses resources effectively, and arranges information in a useful manner required.
• Collaborative Leadership - Ability to create teams and work within teams to accomplish goals required.
• Flexibility - Able to adapt to a fast-paced environment required.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University's Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create - and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.