Assistant Dean of Students, Divinity School - JR27061-3800

at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Manages the recruitment and admission process; advises prospective students on the application process; schedules recruitment and yield activities; creates and manages recruitment printed and electronic materials, including websites, brochures, and other publications; provides administrative support to the Faculty Committee on Admission & Aid; oversees the admission database, decision release, application updates, and testing. Travels during recruitment season to graduate student fairs and meets with prospective students at both on-campus and off-campus events.
  
• Advises students on administrative, financial, and personal issues; responds to phone and email inquiries and meets regularly with students to communicate University and divisional requirements; assists with navigation of University offices; manages the implementation of accommodations granted to students with disabilities by Student Disability Services; provides consultative support to administrators and faculty on University and/or Divinity School policies and procedures to ensure all matters related to degree requirements are adhered to, including matriculation, registration, academic progress and teaching, financial aid, and graduation; counsels graduate students regarding disciplinary and emergency matters, and crisis intervention.
  
• Oversees the financial aid process, including tracking of available funding, awarding financial aid packages to admitted and enrolled students, ensuring the accurate and timely disbursement of financial aid throughout the academic year, communicating financial aid policies and programs to currently enrolled students, and updating and maintaining financial aid policies and procedures.
  
• Works collaboratively with Dean of Students office staff, including the Dean of Students, Student Affairs Manager, and student workers. Acts as deputy to the Dean of Students as necessary. Develops familiarity with DOSO responsibilities that are not primary responsibilities of the Assistant Dean of Students role, to maintain service and support at all times.
  
• Collaborates with the Student Affairs Manager on initiatives, including quarterly graduation, the annual convocation ceremony, new student orientation, and quarterly registration.
  
• Manages and coordinates efforts within the Divinity School to enhance student community and professional development opportunities, including communication to students about resources and services to support their professional growth and development, planning workshops, and maintaining placement records.
  
• Serves as the designee for the Dean of Students Office in disciplinary and emergency response management matters as needed. Represents the Dean of Students Office and the Divinity School on university committees, and manages special projects assigned by the Associate Dean of Students.
  
• Works closely with the Offices of the Registrar, Bursar, Dissertation, International Affairs, UChicagoGrad, and other areas as required.
  
• Solves problems in areas such as academic and administrative policy, student admissions, curriculum research and development, and budget development. Advises various campus-wide and program committees in various aspects of student life.
  
• Recommends process improvements for programs that relate to critical student-life improvement, including emergency management, accommodations for students with disabilities, and/or the administration of health care services and programs for students.
  
• Collaborates with academic divisions in educating students on safety issues. Interprets student disciplinary issues and prepares an annual university summary of disciplinary actions. Counsels students, parents, and staff in response to concerns, and handles complex situations including student crises.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

• A minimum of five years of demonstrated experience in supporting students through academic, disciplinary, and emergency matters, and crisis intervention.
  
• Experience in graduate enrollment management.
  
• Experience in financial aid process management.
  
• Experience in career placement programming and advising.
  
• Experience in prospective student recruitment.
  
• Relevant experience in student affairs, academic support, or a closely-related area and progressively responsible managerial experience in a college or university, preferably in a research institution.
  
• Familiarity with data management and analysis.
  
• Familiarity with the University's central student database programs.
  
• Familiarity with the academic research enterprise and the University of Chicago environment.
  

• Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate effectively and cultivate positive working relationships with students, staff, faculty, and the general public.
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including outstanding judgment, discretion, a strong ethical approach to decision-making, and a demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts fairly and diplomatically, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
  
• Ability to manage records and maintain financial aid accounts with superior accuracy.
  
• Ability to work independently, take direction, and achieve consensus.
  
• Knowledge of admissions and aid procedures required.
  
• Excellent organizational skills, problem solving ability, and attention to detail.
  
• Ability to manage day-to-day duties with efficiency and coordinate multiple long-term projects effectively.
  
• Good judgment and capacity to balance competing goals.
  
• Demonstrated ability to display maturity, professionalism, diplomacy, and good judgment in difficult or volatile situations.
  
• Ability to project enthusiasm and energy in all professional efforts.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University of Chicago.
  
• An understanding of and appreciation for the needs and concerns of a diverse student body.
  
• Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated initiative, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively within and across teams.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and diplomatically with students and colleagues.
  
• Handle several projects simultaneously and work well under pressure.
  
• Maintain confidentiality.
  
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
  
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  
• Enthusiasm for the University of Chicago's commitment to deep inquiry and the rigorous pursuit of knowledge.
  

• This is an in-person role located in Swift Hall on the University of Chicago campus.
  
• Some travel during recruiting season required.
  
• Standard working hours for this role are 8:30 am - 5pm, although evening or weekend work may be required based on student needs and recruiting activities.
  

• Resume/CV (required)
  
• Cover Letter (required)