Associate Director, Student Life🔍Graduate School of Business, Stanford, California, United States📁Student Services📅Apr 30, 2021 Post Date📅89381 Requisition #Stanford Graduate School of Business

Residing in Silicon Valley, the heart of innovation, Stanford GSB has built a global reputation based on its immersive and innovative management programs. We provide students a transformative leadership experience, push the boundaries of knowledge with faculty research, and offer a portfolio of entrepreneurial and non-degree programs that deliver global impact like no other. We strive to change lives, change organizations, and change the world.

The MBA and MSx Programs at the Stanford Graduate School of Business seek an experienced and empathetic student affairs professional to join the Student Life team as an Associate Director focused on student support and well-being. The central mission of this role is to work in partnership with the Director and a peer Associate Director on all elements of advising students on issues crucial to their academic success and in handling student crises. Specific topics include academic counseling, degree progress, course selection advising, student well-being, leave of absence and withdrawal, individual crisis support, academic support resources, implementation of disability related accommodations, attendance management and exam rescheduling. While some community-oriented programming may be a part of this role, the primary focus is on academic counseling and providing personalized, responsive support for individual students as issues arise.

The ideal candidate excels at and enjoys responding to student challenges and concerns, giving and receiving feedback, collaborating with students, navigating and communicating university and department policy, and handling complex, sensitive situations with a positive attitude and professional grace. Essential to this role are a proven track record of academic counseling and student support, outstanding judgment, a deep capacity for compassion, advanced problem-solving skills, diplomatic savvy, a good sense of humor and a sharp mind. The Associate Director may be called upon to represent the Director in their absence or as their delegate. This position has constant interaction with the MBA and MSx student population and has a significant, daily impact on the student experience.

Your primary responsibilities include:

• Academic counseling and student welfare: Counsel MBA and MSx students on a broad range of issues, problems and concerns, which could be academic or personal in nature. Serve as a resource on policies and procedures impacting academic performance, extended absence, Leave of Absence, and Withdrawal from the University. Develop a relationship with teaching faculty and maintain regular communication to assess student performance and respond to problems.
• Individual Support for Crises: Provide direct, responsive support to MBA and MSx students in crisis situations. Collaborate with University colleagues as part of providing integrated, robust support for student well-being.
• Academic Advising: Advise MBA and MSx students on course selection, course registration process and policies, graduation requirements, degree progress, and academic policies. Act as primary academic advisor for an assigned cohort of students throughout their time in the program.
• Support Resources: Develop and implement academic and well-being support programs that are responsive to student needs and faculty objectives.
• Disability Related Accommodations: Act as liaison with the Stanford University Office of Accessible Education. Implement local accommodations for students as required under the ADA, including administering approximately 400 alternative exams annually.
• Support MBA and MSx Program Activities: As a fully-engaged member of the Student Life team, participate in and support department initiatives and major annual student activities. Maintain a flexible mindset to assume Student Life special projects as needed.

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience in student affairs, social work, case management, or counseling is required. Experience with professional graduate students in a selective program is preferred. Experience with an MBA program is preferred.
• Advanced communication skills, active listening skills, and the interpersonal skills needed to effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences and all levels of management. Exude confidence and poise to interact diplomatically and communicate effectively with a diverse constituency of faculty, staff, and students over the phone, in person, and via email.
• Advanced customer service skills. Ability to navigate difficult matters with mature judgment and to provide compassionate, effective counsel to adult students. Demonstrated ability to provide well-reasoned advice grounded in policy. Must be able to handle sensitive information and urgent situations requiring professionalism.
• Advanced organizational and analytical skills including the ability to manage a significant advising caseload, to review and analyze complex information, to propose and implement effective and timely solutions, to differentiate between recommendations/suggestions and requirements, and to set and readjust often-competing priorities while maintaining composure and a positive attitude. Be instinctively and extremely attentive to detail and execute on those details with timely follow-through.
• Ability to ensure and apply compliance with legal, financial, and university policies and external regulations.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, yet can participate as part of a team with an eager willingness to pitch in wherever needed.
• Advanced computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps. Familiarity with Salesforce (or other CRM application) is preferred. Extensive and recent experience in an email-driven environment is required.
• Must be available on-site to administer special exams during regular evenings and/or weekends, during exam periods each quarter (including summer).

*Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Why Stanford is for You

Stanford’s dedicated 16,000 staff come from diverse educational and career backgrounds. We are a collaborative environment that thrives on innovation and continuous improvement. At Stanford, we seek talent committed to excellence, driven to impact the future of our legacy, and improve lives on a global sphere. We provide competitive salaries, excellent health care and retirement plans, and a generous vacation policy, including additional time off during our winter closure. Our generous perks align with what matters to you:

• Freedom to grow. Take advantage of career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a Ted Talk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or leader discuss global issues.
• A caring culture. We understand the importance of your personal and family time and provide you access to wellness programs, child-care resources, parent education and consultation, elder care and caregiving support.
• A healthier you. We make wellness a priority by providing access to world-class exercise facilities. Climb our rock wall or participate in one of hundreds of health or fitness classes.
• Discovery and fun. Visit campus gardens, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. We offer free commuter programs and ridesharing incentives. Enjoy discounts for computers, cell phones, recreation, travel, entertainment, and more!

We pride ourselves in being a culture that encourages and empowers you.

How to Apply

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and résumé along with your online application.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 7503
• Employee Status: Regular
• Grade: I
• Requisition ID: 89381