Director for Student Veteran Life

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Student Veteran Life has an outstanding opportunity for a Director for Student Veteran Life to join their team. Reporting to the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Student Life, the Director for Student Veteran Life (SVL) provides strategic direction and leadership of the department, serving veterans and military-connected students at the University of Washington Seattle. The Director will work collaboratively to establish, guide, and affect a cohesive vision and strategy while providing general oversight over operations and programs. They will actively engage with departmental and community partners to represent the department and proactively build services, programs, and relationships that enable Student Veteran Life to best serve veterans and military-connected students on campus.

Requirements

Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, social work, psychology, public administration, business administration, organizational leadership, or a related field.
Three (3) years of progressively-responsible experience in student services, higher education administration, veteran or military-connected services, program management, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Seven (7) years of progressively-responsible experience in higher education, student affairs, veteran or military-connected services, program management, or a related environment.
Military service or other military-connected experience is strongly desired.
Familiarity with the University of Washington and its structure and systems.

Responsibilities

Provide overall strategic leadership and direction for SVL and establish unit priorities, goals, objectives, policies, and service standards consistent with the missions and goals of the department, Division of Student Life, and the University of Washington.
Serve as a principal University liaison to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and to veteran-serving organizations and agencies as appropriate or assigned.
Advise Divisional and University leadership on student veteran needs, opportunities, and emerging issues.
Maintain working knowledge of relevant Federal, State, and University laws, regulations, and policies as they pertain to student veterans and military-connected students.
Prepare, review, and approve departmental budgets and expenditures.
Collaborate with SVL professional staff in the development of funding and grant proposals as necessary.
Represent the department on institutional committees, working groups, advisory bodies, and strategic initiatives as appropriate.
Initiate, plan, coordinate, support, evaluate, and assess programs, services, and events in alignment with departmental goals, timelines, and established procedures.
Coordinate program activities with internal and external partners, vendors, or service providers to ensure alignment with program objectives.
Advise students on relevant Federal, State, and University policies and procedures, connecting them with subject matter experts when appropriate.
Support student learning, retention, health, wellbeing, and success through coaching, education, resources, referrals, and general support.
Serve as a liaison between student veterans and institutional stakeholders, advocating for student needs as appropriate.
Collaborate with colleagues, students, and partners across the University and with community organizations and other government agencies to advance the mission of the department and support veterans and military-connected students.
Maintain strategic relationships with University departments to support the holistic student veteran experience including Admissions, New Student and Transfer Programs, Veterans Education Benefits, Academic Advising, Financial Aid, Counseling Center, Disability Resources for Students, Career Center, ROTC, and the Husky Union Building.
Recruit, train, schedule, and assign work to the full-time Assistant Director and indirectly oversee the work of the full-time Program Manager.
Provide supervision to the embedded mental health liaison as it pertains to SVL events, student referrals, talking circles, and staff training as necessary.
Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance evaluations, supporting staff development and recognition.
Address performance, behavior, and conduct in accordance with University policy.
Oversee the Veterans Affairs Work Study Program and support the recruitment, training, scheduling, assignment of work, and evaluation of up to 20 part-time student participants.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, respectful, veteran-informed, student-centered workplace and support employee development, retention, and organizational effectiveness.
Coordinate with Student Life and UW Advancement as needed for fundraising activities to support the programs and operations of Student Veteran Life and engage donors.
Identify and pursue funding opportunities and partnerships to support existing and emerging student-veteran programs.