Assistant Dean Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Progressive leadership experience within higher education student affairs.
• Experience leading multiple functional areas, supervising professional staff, and building high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated success with strategic planning, organizational leadership, assessment, and continuous improvement.
• Experience overseeing budgets, allocating resources, and managing complex operations.
• Leadership experience in one or more of the following: Student engagement, Student organizations, Leadership development, Orientation and transition programs, First-year experience initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build meaningful relationships with students, student leaders, faculty, and campus partners.
• Strong political acumen and sound judgment navigating complex, highly visible campus issues.
• Experience advising senior leaders and collaborating across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Commitment to fostering belonging and supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Excellent communication, presentation, relationship-building, and conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge of student development theory, co-curricular learning, leadership education, and emerging trends in higher education student affairs.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree or doctorate in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Center for Leadership & Involvement, establishing a long-term vision that advances student engagement, belonging, leadership development, and co-curricular learning.
• Develop organizational goals, assessment strategies, and continuous improvement initiatives that align with university priorities.
• Advise senior university leadership on student engagement, leadership development, orientation, transition programs, family engagement, and the broader student experience.
• Lead organizational planning, change management, assessment, and innovation across the Center.
• Provide executive leadership for the Office of Transitions & Involvement and SOMeCA (Student Organization Advising & Resources, Media, Cultural Arts & Diversity).
• Directly supervise department directors while supporting the growth and success of their teams.
• Create a cohesive student engagement ecosystem that strengthens connection, belonging, and leadership throughout the student experience.
• Provide strategic oversight for: New student orientation and transition programs, Leadership development initiatives, Student organizations and Greek life, Student media, Cultural arts and diversity programming, Family engagement initiatives.
• Ensure programs are inclusive, student-centered, and aligned with student development best practices.
• Serve as a member of the Dean of Students leadership team and contribute to division-wide strategic initiatives.
• Build collaborative partnerships across Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Housing, Resource Centers, and campus leadership.
• Maintain a visible campus presence by engaging with students, student leaders, organizations, and campus events, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Represent UC Santa Cruz on campus, UC systemwide, and national committees related to student engagement, leadership development, and student success.
• Serve as a leader on the Student Engagement Team, supporting campus response efforts related to student demonstrations, campus climate, and emerging student issues.
• Oversee departmental budgets, resource allocation, staffing, and organizational effectiveness.
• Ensure sound financial stewardship, policy compliance, and risk management.
• Develop policies, procedures, and operational systems that support effective, sustainable program delivery.
• Partner with University Advancement and campus partners to strengthen family engagement and explore innovative opportunities that support student success initiatives.

Benefits

• health coverage
• retirement plans
• paid time off
• professional development opportunities