Description
Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Assistant Director for MS programs is responsible for student service and program support, providing student services for students and faculty in the MS programs of the Department of Statistics & Data Science, the Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) and the Master of Applied Statistics and Data Analytics (MASDA). The Assistant Director will assist our external partner for the MSDS, with recruiting, advising, registration, developing and delivering orientations, event planning and implementation, workshop delivery, record keeping, tracking student progress, and follow-up to provide a professional and supportive environment. The Assistant Director understands, interprets and executes University policy and operations while exploring academic and extracurricular options for students, and will share responsibility for the administrative and financial aspects of the program. Critical thinking and computer skills are essential.  The Assistant Director assists the Department Administrator as needed.

Essential Functions:

Guide students in course selection and enrollment, managing academic progress, and monitoring graduation eligibility. Send students timely notices on enrollment, degree requirements, and graduation process and protocol for students; maintain accurate records on enrollment, degree progress, and graduation certification, LOA, academic probation, and waivers.
Manage graduate course offerings in the SMU catalog and the my.smu (PeopleSoft) system. Operates software modules for advising, curriculum and reporting, ensuring that records and data are accurate, organized and updated in a timely manner in the various university information systems. Coordinates with the registrar's office regarding registration and other issues.
Oversee commencement planning activities and assist with special events some of which take place during evening and weekend hours. Coordinate on-campus experiences for on-line students including immersion programs, orientations, graduation, and employer relations/career outreach for students. Provide some program leadership by way of presentation to large groups.
Process all faculty and student hires; ensure accurate and timely completion of HR paperwork including stipends, fellowships, awards, and payroll authorization and contracts. 
Act as the program point of contact and liaison for other university units such as the Moody School, DASS, CTE, Registrar, Bursar, etc. Work collaboratively with University partners to resolve issues as they arise. Ensure University and accreditation standards by enforcing University policies. 
Track student satisfaction and retention, quality improvement strategies, attainment of program goals, and external reporting.
Oversee Alumni outreach and engagement, contacts, and information updates.
Occasional evening/weekend hours are required. 

Qualifications
Education and Experience:

A bachelor’s degree is required. 

A minimum of five years of experience is required. Experience working in academic advising and student support is required. Faculty support and academic departmental administration experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, and devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Candidate must be able to advise leaders on best practices and provide advice on setting, interpreting and implementing academic policy.

Candidate must have an entrepreneurial spirit and be able to work successfully in a team culture.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Zoom, DocuSign and Interfolio. Ability to use Adobe Acrobat Professional and Photoshop is preferred. 

Candidate familiarity with university information systems, such as Slate and my.smu, is a plus.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

This position is open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas
Job: Other
Organization: Provost - Other
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day Job
Employee Status: Regular
Job Type: Staff
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Travel: No
Job Posting: Jun 1, 2023, 2:27:15 PM