Director of Student Affairs (Student Services Program Manager 1) - Law School
JOB SUMMARY
Under the general direction of the Assistant Dean for Diversity, Belonging, and Community Engagement and as a member of the Dean’s leadership team, the Director of Student Affairs serves as a key administrative partner in supporting the professional, personal, and wellbeing needs of a vibrant diverse law school student community. The Director manages employees who perform personal, professional, and wellness counseling for students. The Director acts as the advocate for the needs and concerns of students, including accommodation issues, student organization leadership, Title IX, conduct, professional development, wellness, and other aspects of student life.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work closely with faculty, staff, and student leaders to enhance the personal, professional, and intellectual development of a diverse student body. Collaborate to develop programs and policies that support a vibrant community.
- In pursuit of delivering high-quality student services, exercise leadership and management overall student life activities, including student counseling, student discipline, student government, student organizations, student journals, and student activities.
- Oversee the Office of Student Affairs, which includes student services, disability services, and wellness initiatives. Effectively manage professional staff, including setting goals, evaluating performance, and ensuring their professional development.
- Manage the day-to-day activities of Student Affairs, including hiring, termination, evaluation, and staff coordination. Formulate recommendations for and manage the Student Affairs budgets.
- Manage the disability services unit that provides accommodations to students, engage the community about student needs, and serve as a resource to the campus community regarding inclusive teaching, service, and support for all students.
- Oversee a wide variety of activities, resources, and services, including community events, wellness programming, student organizations and activities, student leadership development, academic planning, orientation, and commencement, among others.
- Develop, implement, and monitor tactical and operational plans, procedures, and systems in accordance with strategic goals, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Develop campus policies and procedures related to accessibility, student organizations, community engagement, equity, and journal activity.
- Develop and implement policies consistent with University and accrediting agency parameters.
- Provide information, advice, counsel, and assistance to individual students regarding academic and personal matters. Advise students on parameters of University and Law School policies. Identify and evaluate options to resolve issues and challenges. Serve as a resource for students with disabilities.
- Provide information and advice to the Associate Deans, Assistant Deans, and the Dean of the Law School regarding student and administrative issues.
- Work closely with various Law School constituents through communication, alignment of priorities, implementation of initiatives, and active engagement in selected areas of Law School administration.
- Ensure compliance with the ADA, Title IX, Clery Act, Student Code, and other policies and regulations affecting students and the campus community.
- Work closely with and collaborate with the University including the Offices of Institutional Equity, Dean of Students, Student Activities, and Community Standards, on best practices, programming, and compliance.
- Maintain a regular schedule of student appointments and advise on a wide range of topics including Law School policies, academic concerns, registration requirements, disability accommodations (including the potential impact on the bar examination), harassment concerns, leaves of absence, and other issues that impact student success.
- Cultivate a diverse and inclusive campus as well as a community of belonging.
- Supervise large- and small-scale events, including new student orientation (both for incoming 1Ls and for transfer students), spring orientation, Leadership Fellows programming, Student Affairs programming, wellness initiatives, exam support efforts, bar support efforts, and other initiatives.
- Perform related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in appropriate field with at least four years of related experience.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
- Excellent leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to handle stressful, challenging, and emotional situations and create thoughtful, equitable, and institutionally aligned responses.
- Ability to create and sustain an environment of mutual respect and tolerance that supports a responsible, inclusive community that values diversity, equity, and belonging.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Juris Doctor degree.
- Five or more years of experience managing and developing a professional staff.
- Prior experience in student services or student affairs.
- Prior experience in disability services.
- Prior experience in the creation or implementation of professional development, wellness, and/or diversity programming.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time position. Candidates should expect to work at the Law School, located in Hartford, Connecticut. Salary will be commensurate with experience.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #496626 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.
This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on August 25, 2022.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.