Assistant Director, Graduate Academic Services

Babson College • Wellesley, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director is responsible for the daily operations of the graduate degrees, certificate, and other programs as assigned and for contributing to a quality, high touch student experience in line with the mission of the Office of Graduate Student Services. This position is specifically responsible for the daily program management and administration of assigned portions of the portfolio along with supporting the necessary activities required to deliver quality graduate-level experiences and determine opportunities for improvement. Critically, this role will have academic advising responsibilities across all programs but may focus administrative responsibilities across two or more programs. This position works closely with the Graduate Student Services team, students, administration, faculty, and key partners across the College to fully understand program strengths and weaknesses, and to determine opportunities for improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or education with significant industry experience.
• At least 5-7 years of experience in a business or educational environment.
• Previous program management expertise.
• Previous experience working with students in an advising or counseling setting.
• Previous experience working in a team environment.
• Ability to work remotely successfully and to collaborate effectively with remote colleagues.
• Ability to take initiative and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility and willingness to assume new tasks and special projects.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to appropriately prioritize tasks and adjust to changing priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential; must be able to communicate with people of diverse backgrounds from the general public, all levels of the College, and the business community.
• Able to work sensitively with ethnically, culturally, and socially diverse students, staff, and faculty.
• Ability to handle multiple projects with frequent deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Flexibility and willingness to assume new tasks and special projects.
• Must have strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Sharepoint, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).
• Envisions and proposes new methods to perform tasks that support ET&A; takes thoughtful risks; and accepts new and ongoing initiatives, objectives, and solutions to gain sought-after results.
• Anticipates and embraces change; demonstrates willingness to achieve, acquire, and utilize new skills and challenging tasks; and is flexible in changing conditions.
• Requires occasional evening, early morning, and/or weekend hours in conjunction with program events.
• May be required to travel domestically and internationally as needed to manage programmatic experiences.
• Hybrid position with a strong on-campus presence; will have the option of one remote day per week.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, or student development strongly preferred.
• Experience with Canvas, Qualtrics, and Salesforce preferred.

Responsibilities

• Program Administration and Development
• Manage and administer assigned program(s) with an understanding of the objectives, criteria, and format established by the Graduate School to support the growth and development of the graduate portfolio.
• Support the Senior Director and others in effective and unique program development and make recommendations to graduate school policy and enforcement as appropriate.
• Primary responsibility for the planning and delivery of onboarding and orientation activities, resource fairs, elective fairs, and co-curricular and social events for assigned program(s).
• Work closely with the Senior Director to develop learning opportunities that meet the needs of graduate students, including but not limited to the Cohort Representatives, and other professional development experiences for student leaders; stay abreast of current trends, interests, and skill gaps for graduate students to effectively guide development of these experiences.
• Manage daily operations of the assigned program(s) which may include maintaining LMS course sites: coordinate with faculty and administrators, set student teams, update schedules, and post announcements.
• Provide curriculum support including preparing exam logistics with faculty and assisting with faculty special requests (i.e., A/V, breakout rooms, copies & supplies, etc.), communicating critical announcements to students, generating sections, batch enrolling students, and leading section representative meetings where appropriate.
• Manage Learning Group creation for designated program(s).
• Collaborate with Graduate Admissions, Graduate Academic Services team, Faculty Director and teaching faculty on all aspects of Learning Groups, including reporting on student issues.
• Manage and maintain documents, materials, and online content critical to program integrity and success.
• Contribute to the preparation of transition materials for incoming students.
• Develop cohort-based program calendars and academic schedules.
• Serve as a liaison to the Registrar’s Office for calendar creation and review.
• Collaborate with the Registrar’s office, Administrative/Program Coordinator, and others on all room assignments and special requests (i.e., A/V, Media, breakout rooms, etc.).
• Maintain and track lists of deposited students and student registration in core courses.
• Collaborate with appropriate departments to ensure students are successfully onboarded, appropriately registered in each cohort, and have received up to date transition materials in advance of program start dates.
• Prepare reports as requested.
• May serve as a panelist or speaker for Admissions sessions such as Open House or program-specific Q&A sessions.
• Coordinate data research and reporting, write reports and create PowerPoint presentations and Qualtrics surveys.
• Collect and analyze student and faculty graduate program feedback, put together action plans for review by the Senior Director and others, and follow up with students and faculty as needed.
• Manage the Cohort Representatives voting process; onboard newly elected Cohort Reps; schedule, lead, and participate in rep meetings including providing media support; take and disseminate notes.
• Address and take appropriate action to resolve issues that arise in relation to the Reps.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings for designated program(s).
• Provide media support; take and disseminate notes as requested.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Graduate Academic Services and Student Life and Leadership to maintain departmental operations and student advising, work on special projects such as program research, policy implementation and technological application development
• Student Services and Advising
• Maintain a working knowledge of all graduate-level programs to provide appropriate academic advising and program guidance to students across the full portfolio of graduate programs.
• Submit CARE, Title IX, and/or Community Standards referrals and reports as needed and appropriate.
• Refer students to relevant resources such as Wellness & Prevention Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, or Health Services.
• Escalate issues and concerns as appropriate through established College processes.
• Monitor students’ academic progress to identify student success or deficiencies to aid in student retention efforts.
• Prepare reports for the Senior Director and Academic Standards Committee and draft official correspondence to students on the outcome of academic probation cases including providing academic advising and referring students to appropriate personnel and campus departments as necessary.
• Manage student compliance with College and Graduate School policies and procedures and their understanding thereof.
• Advise students on academic, programmatic, and personal matters, evaluating students' degree progress/eligibility.
• Create degree audits, educate and provide guidance concerning degree requirements and academic policies and procedures; refer students to appropriate personnel and campus partners such as Graduate Career Services, Student Financial Services, and International Students and Scholars Office as necessary and appropriate.
• Assist in overall student retention efforts by maintaining student files, preparing official letters, student outreach, related correspondence, and degree audits as needed.
• Train and prepare students in partnership with the Glavin Office (and others where appropriate) for international experiences, including activities associated with pre-departure and post-trip sessions, associated with either the MSM in Entrepreneurial Leadership program or MBA electives and/or semester abroad.
• Review and process student leave of absence and status change forms, program transfers, independent research proposals, and post-matriculation transfer credit requests.
• Advise students on their options and appropriately interpret and communicate College policy.
• Travel to Hub locations as needed to provide support for activities related to Graduate Student Services.
• Departmental Support
• Serve on committees as assigned (such as the Graduate School Students of Concern and the Academic Standards committees).
• May maintain data and/or reporting on cases.
• Assume additional program management responsibilities as needed to support the growth and development of the graduate portfolio or larger Graduate School/College initiatives.
• Provide front desk coverage and/or triage emails from main account as needed in the absence of the Administrative Assistant.
• Assume additional responsibilities and takes on special projects as needed and as required.

Benefits

• Babson College offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees working at least 28 hours per week.
• Insurance Coverage: Medical, dental, vision, group life and long-term disability insurance, business travel accident insurance, and mental health benefits.
• Time Off: Starting at 3 weeks of vacation annually, 2 weeks of sick time, 1 week of paid family illness time, 6 weeks of paid parental leave, and 12 paid holidays per year.
• President’s holidays are determined each year.
• Retirement: Participation in a 403(b) retirement plan with mandatory employee contributions and a 4:1 employer match.
• Additional Benefits: Wellbeing programs, virtual fitness platform, and employee assistance program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees