Assistant Director of Student Affairs, School of Architecture

University of Texas at Austin

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general supervision, and in support of the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, the Assistant Director of Student Affairs provides leadership for graduate admissions and recruitment and supports the coordination of Student Affairs services across the student lifecycle. This position serves as the primary administrator for SOA graduate admissions and recruitment processes, and provides day-to-day supervision, guidance, and support for designated Student Affairs staff responsible for managing a comprehensive range of administrative initiatives and services designed to enhance the student experience; from the point of recruitment, enrollment, and through graduation. The Assistant Director of Student Affairs collaborates closely with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, faculty collaborators, graduate and undergraduate advisors, Student Affairs staff, student employees, and university partners to support student success and program excellence. The position also provides day-to-day guidance and support for designated Student Affairs staff and helps ensure the effective delivery of graduate admissions, graduate and undergraduate advising, program coordination, and student support services. Through these efforts the Assistant Director strengthens coordination across assigned functional areas while fostering a welcoming and supportive environment that promotes both student success and program excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a field related to the work to be performed.
At least five years of experience in student program coordination, admissions, advising, student services, and/or program management in an educational environment.
Demonstrated leadership experience in the field of student services, student affairs, academic programs, or related field.
Demonstrated experience supervising, leading, training, and supporting staff.
Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple, complex projects simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to organize work across functional areas, support service continuity, and meet deadlines.
Exceptional attention to detail, sound judgement, resourcefulness, and problem-solving ability.
Demonstrated innovation, initiative, follow-through, tact, diplomacy, professionalism, and sound judgment when working with students, families, faculty, staff, and administrators.
Strong ability to lead and communicate effectively, both written and verbally.
Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship
Punctuality and professional demeanor.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Possess education or experience that exceeds the required minimum qualifications.
Familiarity with graduate education, admissions processes, and/or student funding processes.
Experience developing or implementing recruitment, admissions, enrollment, and yield strategies.
Demonstrated ability to compile, analyze, and synthesize large volumes of technical data into clear, concise, and easily understandable information for varied audiences.
Experience using data to assess program outcomes, applicant trends, student engagement, and service delivery.
Recent and relevant experience performing similar tasks within an academic institution.
Experience coordinating communications, events, or student-facing resources across multiple audiences.
Familiarity with university applications and systems necessary for daily operations.
General knowledge of UT processes, procedures, and policy, particularly those relevant to student engagement.
Demonstrated excellence in writing, formatting, and editing professional business correspondence on behalf of an academic leader in a university setting.
Demonstrated interest in architecture, design, or fine arts.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary administrator for SOA graduate recruitment and admissions processes for all SOA graduate programs. Serve as the primary SOA point of contact regarding admissions for the Graduate School and various University partners.
Develop and maintain specialized knowledge of all SOA graduate programs, degree pathways, admission requirements, enrollment processes, and deadlines.
In coordination with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, develop and implement recruitment strategies designed to strengthen applicant pools, improve yield, and support competitiveness of SOA graduate programs.
Manage and direct communications with prospective students and applicants regarding degree programs, admisssions requirements, deadlines, and student lifecycle milestones.
Coordinate SOA graduate open house, information sessions, recruitment presentations, admitted-student programming, and yield events in alignment with the SOA recruitment priorities. Explore new models of effective delivery to potential applicants.
Support smooth student lifecycle transitions from prospective student to applicant and from admitted applicant to enrolled student, including coordination of enrollment deposits and admitted-student communications.
Track and assess admissions, recruitment, and yield outcomes; identify trends, barriers, and opportunities; and recommend adjustments to improve outreach, applicant engagement, and enrollment outcomes.
Effectively manage documentation and maintenance of digital records and data for admissions processes and according to SOA and UT policies.
Provide day-to-day supervision, guidance, and support for designated Student Affairs staff responsible for advising, admissions, and program coordination for undergraduate and graduate programs.
Support the development, communication, and assessment of goals, objectives, outcomes, and benchmarks aligned with SOA’s mission and student experience priorities.
Support professional development, cross-training, process improvement, student supportive processes, and adoption of best practices across Student Affairs functions.
Promote a culture of service, responsiveness, accuracy, collaboration, and excellence throughout the Student Affairs portfolio.
Assist with oversight and coordination for student events, such as commencement, Gone to Texas, Explore UT, Graduate Open House, orientations, Family Weekend, Honors Day, Career Fair, etc. in collaboration with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Student Affairs staff, students, and University partners.
Coordinate Student Affairs communication strategies and student-facing resources to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent information for prospective students, applicants, and enrolled students in consultation with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.
Promote effective collaboration and coordinate, as needed, with SOA Dean’s Office, Academic Affairs, Communications, staff, and administrators.
Represents SOA on campus committees and councils related to student academic affairs.
Effectively supervise and direct student administrative assistant(s) in support of Student Affairs staff.
Create, maintain, and promote technologically advanced office protocols utilizing a high degree of innovation.
Contribute to a positive and collegial work environment to support collaboration and productivity.
Additional hours may be required during peak periods.
Perform other related functions as assigned.

Benefits

Competitive health benefits (Employee premiums covered at 100%; family premiums at 50%)
Vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options
Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Teachers Retirement System of Texas (a defined benefit retirement plan)
Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax sheltered annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b)
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
Training and conference opportunities
Tuition assistance
Athletic ticket discounts
Access to UT Austin's libraries and museums
Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Capital Metro buses with staff ID card