Associate Director Pre-College Program Operations

Tufts University•Medford, MA

About The Position

The Associate Director of Pre-College Program Operations is a leadership role on Tufts University College’s Pre-College Programs team. The position drives operational strategy and daily operations for programs serving approximately 1,200 minor students in residential and commuter academic programs. It supports planning and delivery of safe, positive on-campus learning and living experiences, as well as effective administrative processes and long-term program research, planning, revision, and expansion. Working with the Director and Associate Director of Pre-College Programs, University College colleagues, internal Tufts departments, and external vendors, the Associate Director leads year-round planning and implementation. The role is the primary operational contact for the onsite residential team and external partners, and supports program development through peer-program benchmarking and growth forecasting. It optimizes student and operational materials—including orientations, application testing, communications, and student support mechanisms—and collaborates across University College, Pre-College Programs, the Center for Professional and Workforce Impact, Marketing, and other teams. The position leads operational strategy, assessment and improvement, benchmarking and forecasting, vendor management, and policy-related work. It oversees residential life processes, staff training, space planning, health services, and dining operations, while managing operational communications with students and families. Additional responsibilities include access and ID processes, events, facilities, mail services, supplies, and supervision and development of professional staff, student employees, and temporary personnel. The role requires a collaborative, detail-oriented approach and the ability to support at least one direct report. The role is initially funded for one year, with a strong possibility of renewal.

Requirements

5–8 years of experience in residential life, specifically working with high school-aged students and/or undergraduates.
Deep understanding of applying student development in practice.
Knowledge of and direct experience with on-call crisis response and supervision of residential staff.
Ability to manage and evaluate competing priorities and successfully track many details to execute day-to-day work.
Demonstrated complex project management and process-improvement skills.
Ability to handle sensitive matters with judgment, tact, and diplomacy, and to make supportive independent decisions.
Excellent communication and relationship-management skills with internal and external stakeholders.
Prior systems management and analytical experience using Technolutions Slate.
Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills, including Excel.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Collaborative, all-hands-on-deck, team-player approach and a positive, proactive attitude.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
8–10 years of experience in a related work environment.
Ability to use social media platforms, survey-analysis tools, and various digital tools and applications.
Systems management and analytical experience with Oracle Peoplesoft SIS and Modern Campus Destiny One/Extended Education.

Responsibilities

Drive operational goals and strategies for the Pre-College team and support daily program operations.
Assess program operations, troubleshoot issues, lead after-action processes, and coordinate reporting, improvements, and related communications.
Conduct competitor analysis, market benchmarking, enrollment forecasting, and feasibility assessments; lead long-term planning, resource planning, launch timelines, and multi-year academic calendar development.
Serve as the primary operational liaison to residential life, transportation, insurance, and other vendors; discuss agreements, draft contract updates, monitor delivery, and facilitate purchase order and invoicing processes.
Work with the Pre-College Director and University College Associate Dean on policies concerning staff, instructors, and high school students, including requirements related to minors.
Provide information, data, and collaboration to help the Director identify program and team goals.
Lead development and continuous improvement of residential life processes for student safety, well-being, and success, including arrivals, departures, housing transitions, transportation, and student communications.
Establish and manage residential service-provider partnerships, on-call coverage, and response protocols; serve as an escalation point for student welfare, conduct, family, and operational concerns.
Design and implement residential, social, recreational, and college-readiness programming with vendors, program leaders, and campus partners.
Design, implement, and enhance staff training in alignment with institutional policies, compliance requirements, risk-management standards, and youth-programming practices.
Plan and coordinate multi-campus space utilization, including facilities, technology, access, furnishings, and staffing; oversee onsite staff onboarding, training logistics, and student housing assignments.
Lead health-services operations, partnerships, service agreements, and processes related to student health, safety, and risk management; coordinate health services, insurance coverage, vaccination initiatives, and student support resources; supervise temporary nursing personnel.
Coordinate dining operations and processes for dietary restrictions, allergies, alternative meal accommodations, and offsite meal distribution.
Manage student- and family-facing operational communications, including Slate emails, forms, logs, tracking, website language, application testing, and training modules; assess and improve communication timing and content.
Collaborate on Pre-College marketing events, information sessions, webinars, and orientations, and respond to parents’ operational concerns and needs.
Optimize the operations-related email inbox and processes to ensure timely, accurate responses and follow-up.
Oversee identification and access-management processes, including ID creation, residential access, operational testing, and issue resolution.
Coordinate events with program staff, campus departments, and external stakeholders, aligning operational requirements, communications, resources, and responsibilities.
Oversee facilities planning and coordination and lead issue resolution during active program operations.
Manage partnerships and processes for timely, accurate, student-centered mail distribution.
Oversee procurement, inventory, storage, distribution, and resource planning for program supplies and materials.
Supervise, mentor, and manage the performance of professional staff, student employees, and temporary personnel supporting program operations and student services.
Build a collaborative, service-oriented team culture and align functional areas to support operational excellence, student well-being, and program outcomes.