Director, Academic Resource Center

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

3d • $100,000 - $125,000

About The Position

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) Director and Senior Assistant Dean of Students provides strategic leadership for a growing team and a range of interventions designed to support undergraduate student success from matriculation to graduation. Working in partnership with the Dean of Students, faculty, academic advisors, and other campus leaders, the Director steers both established and innovative programs, such as pre-orientation and cohort academic initiatives, peer mentoring, and learning consultations, ensuring that all students benefit from a consistent, holistic network of academic and personal support.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including excellent editing/proofreading ability in English.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree; professional degree or doctorate.
• Minimally 5 years administrative experience in higher education, with increasing responsibilities.
• Teaching experience or demonstrated experience in pedagogy, learning support, and student success.
• Familiarity with University structure and functions of its various offices and departments.
• Familiarity with University systems, human resources, and budgets.
• Communicating with students, parents, University faculty and staff, and managing communication programs.
• Proficiency in Mac and PC environments.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and online organizational tools.
• Familiarity with Adobe graphic design/web development environments.
• Proficiency with web and social media platforms.
• Learn new software and database tools.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communications skills and write well, edit written materials, speak in public and make presentations.
• Excellent computer skills and use complex databases and other record-keeping systems.
• Take initiative and provide leadership in a complex organization.
• Prioritize and manage concurrent tasks with interruptions, meet deadlines and respond to many emails, in person, and phone requests, in a timely fashion.
• Work effectively with supervision and as a part of a team, individually or while taking directions from others.
• Work effectively with multiple constituencies; establish good working relationships with people of different backgrounds.
• Handle multiple concurrent tasks in a competent and professional manner while also meeting deadlines.
• Collaborate with faculty.
• Maintain confidentiality/discretion related to students, faculty and staff, at all times.
• Work under pressure and handle stress situations with multiple competing deadlines.
• Multi-task and have attention to detail.
• Work independently.

Responsibilities

• Sets vision and strategic priorities for ARC programs and personnel.
• Serves as institutional advocate for academic support resources; communicates impact and initiatives to campus partners.
• Leads, designs, and evaluates new and existing academic and student support programs.
• Oversees direction for pre-orientation and academic year cohort programs, including Phoenix STEM and CAAP, in close collaboration with program directors.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises professional staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
• Fosters a collaborative environment of continuous learning.
• Collaborates with College leadership, such as Masters, Core chairs, Divisions, departments, and academic centers, to align programs with curricular and student needs.
• Partners with Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning and Chicago Center for Writing on program design, needs assessment, and pilots and interventions.
• Serves on Dean of Students leadership team and relevant committees.
• Supports staff and faculty overseeing student progress and academic difficulties; ensures effective referral processes are in place.
• Uses counseling skills and relationship-building to address student challenges and cultivates a welcoming, supportive ARC culture.
• Develops staff development programs that educate the staff in the full range of information they must know--curricular, campus resources, developmental issues facing the college-aged population, psychological issues, financial aid policies, etc.
• Manages advisors who handle discipline cases and student problems and crises.
• Recommends effective advising strategies for these students.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director