Chief Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students in the University

University of Chicago•Hyde Park, IL

19d

About The Position

The Chief Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students is the University of Chicago’s senior student affairs leader, responsible for advancing a comprehensive strategy for student life and the student experience across undergraduate, graduate, and professional education. Reporting to the President and the Provost, the Dean advises University leadership and helps shape institutional strategy through the lens of the student experience. The role leads and coordinates student affairs across the University, including its network of area Deans of Students, and develops and implements student life policies and practices that reflect University values and priorities. The Dean collaborates with academic and administrative stakeholders to coordinate University-wide resources while respecting the distinct cultures of individual schools and divisions. The position also leads responses to complex student-related issues and crises, stewards organizational and financial resources, and serves as a visible representative and trusted partner across the University community. The successful candidate will bring senior-level leadership experience and broad familiarity with student-facing and campus life functions in a complex higher education environment. They will combine strategic judgment, relationship-building, financial and operational acumen, and the ability to lead through ambiguity and change. The position calls for a student-centered leader who can advance student well-being, belonging, engagement, leadership development, and personal growth while supporting the University’s academic mission and distinctive intellectual culture.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Significant senior leadership experience in student affairs, campus life, university life, or a related field within a complex higher education environment is preferred.
Demonstrated success leading through organizational complexity, ambiguity, and change is preferred.
Experience working closely with senior academic leaders, faculty, and governing bodies is preferred.
Experience managing institution-wide student issues, including crisis response, student conduct, wellness, free expression, compliance, and reputational risk, is preferred.
Experience leading diverse teams and complex service and support organizations is preferred.
A record of advancing strategic initiatives that improve the student experience and strengthen institutional outcomes is preferred.
Strong financial acumen and disciplined resource stewardship, including the ability to manage finite resources, establish priorities, and align investments with institutional strategy.
Ability to build collaboration among academic and administrative stakeholders responsible for student experience.
Ability to support undergraduate, graduate, and professional students while maintaining alignment with the University's academic values and principles.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree.
Significant senior leadership experience in student affairs, campus life, university life, or a related field within a complex higher education environment.
Demonstrated success leading through organizational complexity, ambiguity, and change.
Experience working closely with senior academic leaders, faculty, and governing bodies.
Experience managing institution-wide student issues, including crisis response, student conduct, wellness, free expression, compliance, and reputational risk.
Experience leading diverse teams and complex service and support organizations.
A record of advancing strategic initiatives that improve the student experience and strengthen institutional outcomes.

Responsibilities

Serve as the University's senior student affairs leader and provide strategic counsel to the President, Provost, and University leadership on student experience, resilience, well-being, and campus community matters.
Shape and advance a comprehensive vision for student life aligned with the University's academic mission, institutional priorities, and long-term aspirations.
Anticipate emerging higher education and University challenges and develop strategies to address evolving student needs and expectations.
Lead teams and student experiences in which University values and principles must be applied clearly and consistently.
Build, develop, and inspire high-performing teams and foster accountability, collaboration, innovation, and service.
Steward financial and organizational resources, aligning investments with institutional priorities and student needs.
Represent the University and engage with students, families, alumni, trustees, faculty, staff, community partners, and external constituencies.
Lead the University's response to complex student-related issues and crises, including real-time situations, using sound judgment and institutional values.
Oversee the development, communication, and implementation of student life policies and practices that support student success and uphold University principles.
Coordinate the University's network of area Deans of Students and strengthen consistency, communication, and collaboration across schools and divisions.
Steward certain student-facing campus spaces and serve as a strategic partner in relevant capital planning projects.
Advocate for a student experience that promotes well-being, belonging, engagement, leadership development, and personal growth while supporting academic excellence.
Perform other related work as needed.