Associate Director, NEST

National University•Escondido, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the strategic guidance of the Senior Director of the Nest, the Associate Director - Nest supports location level growth, population specific retention efforts through partnership with the Academic and Student Finance Leadership, quality of student services, onsite programming, and community engagement. Regularly plans, facilitates, and participates in and supports institutional and center level programmatic enhancement activities. Aids day-to-day operations of The Nest locations, serving in a supervisory role for Campus Support Specialists when needed. Maintains comprehensive knowledge of university programs, policies, and procedures and applies this knowledge in training and developing student services support staff, maintaining institutional standards and resolving student concerns.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in management, business, human behavior, psychology, or marketing required.
Minimum of six (6) years’ experience, and one (1) year of supervisory experience in administrative management, preferably in higher education.
Experience in higher education administration, facility maintenance or finance.
Ability to handle multiple tasks in a demanding environment.
Demonstrated ability to motivate and provide leadership and training in complex areas.
Established problem-solving abilities and resource application.
Able to professionally represent the University in marketing and public relations activities.
Organization and follow through.
Analytical and logical thinking skills.
Strong communication skills; both verbal and written
Knowledge of academic and business workings of a higher education institution.
Knowledge of University policies and procedures.
Ability to work independently in a leadership role and foster a cooperative spirit within a large and/or small team of diverse cultures and across the organization at all levels.
Knowledge of leadership principles and practices.
Working knowledge in building teams.
Ability to resolve conflict and performance manage team members as appropriate.
Ability to coach to improve development and skills.
Skill in verbal and written communication.
Ability to problem-solve.
Ability to collaborate effectively with others and build and motivate a team.
Excellent customer service and communication skills.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Demonstrated ability to motivate and provide leadership and training in complex areas.
Established problem-solving abilities and resource application.
Proven analytical abilities and logical thinker.
Able to professionally represent the university in marketing and public relations activities.
Skill in being a role model, while anticipating and planning for change.
Effectively able to communicate the vision to the team with the ability to lead, direct, and/or influence others to obtain results using a wide degree of creativity and latitude.
Understands the implications of decision and actions, including a deep understanding of overall big picture of the business; able to take an idea from concept to reality.
Ability to focus on achieving results consistent with the organization’s objectives and develop goals based on the organization’s vision, mission and strategic goals and objectives.
Actively able to seek opportunities to influence, build effective relationships and gain alignment with peers, functional partners and/or external partners to accomplish business objectives.
Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations; apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form.
Advanced use of computers and Microsoft Office Suite Applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software applications used within a University setting.
Organizational and follow through skills.
Strong administrative skills to facilitate operations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Engage in regional and programmatic outreach with local community colleges, other colleges, local governmental agencies, school districts and businesses as well as civic organizations to promote strategic partnerships and student enrollment growth for all Nest locations.
Plan and facilitate onsite programmatic efforts (both active and passive) at The Nest locations to ensure that quality co-curricular opportunities are provided to local students and alumni. This includes partnering with faculty; NU departments such as the Veteran & Military Community Center, Career Services, Student Wellness, and Alumni Relations; and external partners, to provide programming and resources.
Work with the Senior Director on the organization-wide initiatives that are focused and aligned on improving operational and program efficiencies and effectiveness.
Collaborate with Harmony Academies to ensure that their presence is ongoing at each Nest location.
Support interdepartmental collaboration across university to ensure transparency, partnership, and holistic representation of all perspectives in decisions and implemented initiatives within department.
Provide Associate Center Director and Campus Support Specialist (CSS) coverage as needed at Nest locations.
Serve as a back-up supervisor for CSS staff at San Diego County locations as needed (this may include but is not limited to tracking and monitoring schedules and attendance of team members, administrate payroll and timecard reporting for team members, training and retaining staff, leading team meetings, and providing coaching to team members).
Create and maintain a culture of excellence and inclusivity through team activities, initiatives, and open communication.
Participate in Student Services Leadership Team meetings.
Uphold the University standard of conduct and all other policies and procedures.
Identify opportunities and recommend changes to improve the University.
Participate in training, continuous education, and leadership development activities to improve skill set.
Assist in creating a strategic vision, in collaboration with senior leadership, for annual goals and outcome-based projects.
Compliance oversight through Quality Assurance Activities and aligned coaching/feedback engagements.
Provide leadership and operational guidance to ensure effective team member support of students as they walk into a campus and/or center.
Analyze data and metrics to determine and facilitate change, to meet organizational expectations and goals.
Evaluate reporting to ensure student service expectations are met via phone/email/text and follows up as needed.
Evaluate internal audits and provide coaching as needed to ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation guidelines.
Ensure compliance with university policies, procedures, practices and philosophies.
Assist in developing and monitoring both short- and long-term strategic plans for the location and associated programs.
Liaise between escalated students and proper University personnel and departments while providing students with required resources in coordination with academics.
Develop and provide operational reports to Senior Director.
Ensure compliance with all University regulations, procedures, guidelines and policies.
Communicates challenges, provides suggestions and presents potential solutions to policies hindering operations.
Coordinate with the IT team on administrative and academic technology, hardware and software activities.
Assist with hiring staff.
Support special projects and assignments as designated.
Other related duties as assigned by the Senior Director and AVP.