Student Services Manager, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME Department Lead)

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

21d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Student Services Manager, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME Department Lead), provides management and operational oversight for all student services and academic advising functions within the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME). Reporting to the Department’s Director of Administration and Finance, this position leads and provides direct oversight of three professional staff within the department’s student services team, supporting undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral populations. The AME department serves more than 1,000 students across three degree levels, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral. The Manager ensures that departmental advising and student services are delivered in accordance with University policy, School-wide standards, and the Viterbi Student Services Handbook: Standards & Expectations for Academic Advising and its companion Appendix: Service Standards & Benchmarks. This position provides leadership, supervision, and training for departmental student services staff and works closely with faculty, departmental leadership, and VASE Student & Academic Services to ensure consistent, accurate, and equitable student support services. The Manager plays a central role in promoting operational excellence, aligning departmental practices with School-wide expectations, and supporting student success throughout the academic lifecycle.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in academic advising or student services.
Demonstrated success supervising professional staff and managing student services operations in a complex academic environment.
Strong knowledge of USC academic policies, student records systems, and advising procedures.
Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and central administration.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, direction, and supervision for the AME student services team, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral advising functions.
Manage the department’s doctoral admission process in coordination with the VASE office, Viterbi Graduate Admission, and the Graduate School.
Oversee daily advising operations, student enrollment management, and academic records for all AME degree programs.
Ensure compliance with University and School policies related to curriculum, degree progress, academic standing, and student services operations.
Collaborate with the Assistant Dean for Student & Academic Services to maintain alignment with the Viterbi Student Services Handbook and ensure consistent implementation of School-wide standards and service expectations.
Serve as the primary advisor to the Department Chair and faculty on student services trends, enrollment data, and student success outcomes.
Develop, train, and evaluate student services staff; ensure staff have access to ongoing professional development and School resources.
Oversee communication, petitions, degree clearance, and other academic processes in coordination with the VASE Student & Academic Services team.
Represent the department in School-wide meetings, committees, and initiatives related to advising and student services operations.
Support continuous improvement in departmental advising practices and documentation.