Assistant Director, OCL Program

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Organizational Change and Leadership Program Office at the University of Southern California (USC) is seeking an Assistant Director (Student Services Advisor II) to join their team. This role requires strong communication skills, dependability, empathy, and attention to detail. The Assistant Director will be responsible for advising online doctoral and master’s students on degree requirements, evaluating unique student situations, and proposing solutions. They will also provide leadership and training to the student service team, including supervising graduate student workers. Key duties include maintaining student records, monitoring student progress, analyzing data, designing reports, and developing strategic plans for student management. The position also involves budget analysis and tuition projections related to student management, composing various forms of communication to students and partners, and collaborating with other university offices and faculty to resolve student issues. Additionally, the Assistant Director will design and execute student events and success programming, both in-person and online, which may include some evening and weekend work. The role also requires staying current with university software, processes, and policies, and serving as a subject matter expert for the program team. This is an hourly, non-exempt position that is primarily remote with some on-campus requirements, including some evenings and weekends.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
3-5 years of professional experience, preferably in higher education.
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills that enable the employee to adequately assess students’ needs and guide them to the appropriate university resources and successfully network with students, staff, and faculty.
Demonstrated ability to provide critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize projects in the face of changing priorities and fluctuating workloads.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, Internet, web content-management systems, social media, and database computer programs.
Ability to work effectively with students in a holistic manner, with enthusiasm for providing excellent student-centered service
Ability to embrace, promote, and articulate Rossier School of Education’s mission: To prepare leaders to achieve educational equity through practice, research and policy. We work to improve learning opportunities and outcomes in urban settings and to address disparities that affect historically marginalized groups. We teach our students to value and respect the cultural context of the communities in which they work and to interrogate the systems of power that shape policies and practices. Through innovative thinking and research, we strive to solve the most intractable educational problems.
Minimum 3 years of directly related experience in student services and programming with ability to lead.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, Business, Social Sciences or other appropriate field.
Experience in providing academic advising to graduate students
Experience in managing large events with over 100 attendees
Strong commitment to excellence
Action and detail orientation to ensure accuracy in complex task
Strong organizational and time management skills
Ability to work well independently and with a team
Ability to manage and analyze data
Ability to troubleshoot student issues utilizing multiple resources effectively
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to excel in a fast-paced environment
Adapts well to change
Highly motivated to ensure student success
Positive and enthusiastic demeanor

Responsibilities

Provide academic counseling for online doctoral and master’s students.
Advise on matters of curriculum, course, and degree requirements, and monitor student progress in the program.
Address any/all program advisement-related issues.
Maintain all data related to the academic record of students through various program systems and databases.
Coordinates registration activities, grading, degree progress, enrollment, degree verification, and transcripts.
Analyze student data, identify challenges, and propose and execute strategic plans to manage student populations and/or issues.
Produce reports based on student record data, as needed, such as for program accreditation or program development purposes.
Evaluate student problems, academic, administrative or personal, and refer student to the appropriate student services office for additional support.
Guide students through petition and other record-related processes and policies.
Liaison with other offices on behalf of students to facilitate problem resolution.
Provide leadership and guidance to our advising team and student worker who perform similar work, set priorities and timelines for the team’s work, and monitor and evaluate our delivery of student services.
Collaborate with faculty and administrators regarding student progress, grades, assignments, course scheduling, policies, and student support services or resources.
Maintain a network of Rossier and University contacts with pertinent offices to collaborate with and that serve our programs and students, including but not limited to Admissions, Credentialing, Accreditation, Registrar, Degree Progress, Fieldwork, Graduate School, etc.
Design and execute student events and student success programming including mentorship program, newsletters, campus immersions, orientation, trainings, webinars, receptions, conferences, and commencement, both in person and online, with some evening and weekend requirements.
Maintain currency on university policies, procedures and regulations pertaining to registration, course and degree requirements, graduation requirements, petitions and other student services.
Participate in budget analysis and tuition projections as they relate to student advisement.
Ensure students are associated with the correct courses in the online learning system and are connected with their instructors and dissertation chairs.
Demonstrate a commitment to multicultural understanding, student diversity, educational equity, inclusion, and cultural competency.
Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.