Dean of Students

the CIA•Hyde Park, NY

11h•Onsite

About The Position

The Dean of Students is a senior leadership position providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the residential living-learning experience, housing operations, and Campus Life at the Culinary Institute of America’s New York campus. The role advances an integrated, student-centered campus experience that supports student success, retention, belonging, well-being, personal development, and engagement inside and outside the classroom. As a senior leader in the Division of Student Life, the Dean provides expert oversight in managing and resolving complex student concerns, critical incidents, and emerging campus issues, working with campus partners to promote student safety and a supportive campus environment. The role uses data-informed assessment, benchmarking, and continuous improvement to evaluate and strengthen residential life, housing operations, and Campus Life programs and services. The Dean provides strategic oversight of residential communities and housing operations, including 13 New York campus residential facilities with 1,816 beds. The position ensures housing is safe, inclusive, well-maintained, operationally effective, and responsive to student and institutional needs. It also leads Campus Life efforts to foster student engagement, leadership development, community building, and personal and professional growth. The role leads development and implementation of the division’s engagement assessment framework in collaboration with all departments.

Requirements

Master’s degree.
At least seven years of experience in student affairs, residence life, or an appropriate higher education setting.
At least three years of supervisory experience.
Experience managing multiple departments or high-level initiatives concurrently.
Ability to learn, use, and improve software applications and databases.
Experience working with diverse populations and sensitive and confidential information.
Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Understanding of student development theory.
Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate a complex operation and allocate staff, time, funds, and other resources to achieve short- and long-term goals.
Ability to provide administrative guidance, training, and supervision as needed.
Ability to apply budgetary and fiscal planning techniques within financial constraints.
Ability to organize work, prioritize objectives, and exercise independent judgment based on organizational policies and activities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the public.
Ability to manage details, assume responsibility, and maintain confidentiality.
Demonstrated service responsiveness to internal customers and effective partnership with student affairs and facilities colleagues, including sound judgment about when to escalate situations.
Proven ability to work with all organizational levels.
High energy and self-motivation.
Ability to work in a team-oriented division at a small college.
Strong computer skills, including effective use of Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Availability for a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends as business needs require.
Availability to participate in a senior-level on-call emergency response rotation.
Ability to travel occasionally to other CIA locations due to business needs.
Ability to tour assigned facilities for extended periods, including walking and climbing stairs.

Nice To Haves

Degree specialization in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, or another student affairs-related discipline.
Prior responsibility for a revenue budget in excess of $10 million.

Responsibilities

Ensure housing and Campus Life operations align with institutional priorities, financial expectations, and the CIA’s commitment to a high-quality student experience.
Develop housing strategies for the New York campus’s 13 residential facilities and 1,816 beds to meet student demand for on-campus housing and generate additional housing revenue.
Direct the annual housing budget, including development and submission, management of results and adjustments, and planning to achieve budget goals.
Maximize housing occupancy through the housing selection process and strategic planning.
Analyze housing occupancy, retention, and projection data and benchmarks, and recommend improvements or solutions.
Oversee residence hall upkeep in collaboration with Facilities and strategically manage space utilization, construction, and renovation to maintain a safe, secure, and enjoyable living environment.
Manage the operations team responsible for calendars, facilities management and routine maintenance, move-in and move-out, special events, intersession housing, renovations, and new construction.
Ensure compliance with the Clery Act, Title IX, and other applicable laws, and work with Environmental Health and Safety and Campus Safety to maintain a safe residential environment.
Collaborate with branch campus partners to share best practices and include branch campus housing in strategic plans.
Develop assessment tools; coordinate data collection; evaluate outcomes; and create actionable plans to strengthen engagement and continuous improvement.
Lead the composition, coordination, and analysis of assessment reports across Student Life departments, including Residence Life, Student Health, and Campus Recreation.
Guide the development, implementation, and assessment of a comprehensive residential curriculum focused on student learning and engagement.
Support resolution of complex student concerns and critical incidents in alignment with institutional policies and best practices.
Lead a comprehensive Student Life strategy integrating residential education, campus engagement, student leadership, well-being, and belonging in support of student success and retention.
Serve as the divisional point person in the absence of the Vice President – Student Life.
Provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and performance oversight to the Directors of Campus Life and Residential Life and Housing Operations and related functional areas, including Campus Recreation, Leadership Development, Student Clubs, Student Council, and Orientation/Weeks of Welcome.
Coach, develop, and hold Student Life leaders accountable for advancing retention, belonging, and leadership development through orientation, Weeks of Welcome, campus traditions, and co-curricular activities.
Oversee high-level budget allocation, resource management, and risk mitigation across recreational facilities, campus-wide traditions, and student organization funding.
Perform any and all other duties as assigned.