Director, Academic Resource Center

Department

College Dean of Students in the College

About the Department

College Dean of Students in the College

Job Summary

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) Director and Senior Assistant Dean of Students provides strategic leadership for a growing team and a range of interventions designed to support undergraduate student success from matriculation to graduation. Working in partnership with the Dean of Students, faculty, academic advisors, and other campus leaders, the Director steers both established and innovative programs, such as pre-orientation and cohort academic initiatives, peer mentoring, and learning consultations, ensuring that all students benefit from a consistent, holistic network of academic and personal support.

Responsibilities

• Sets vision and strategic priorities for ARC programs and personnel.
• Serves as institutional advocate for academic support resources; communicates impact and initiatives to campus partners.
• Leads, designs, and evaluates new and existing academic and student support programs.
• Oversees direction for pre-orientation and academic year cohort programs, including Phoenix STEM and CAAP, in close collaboration with program directors.
• Recruits, trains, and supervises professional staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
• Fosters a collaborative environment of continuous learning.
• Collaborates with College leadership, such as Masters, Core chairs, Divisions, departments, and academic centers, to align programs with curricular and student needs.
• Partners with Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning and Chicago Center for Writing on program design, needs assessment, and pilots and interventions.
• Serves on Dean of Students leadership team and relevant committees.
• Supports staff and faculty overseeing student progress and academic difficulties; ensures effective referral processes are in place.
• Uses counseling skills and relationship-building to address student challenges and cultivates a welcoming, supportive ARC culture.
• Develops staff development programs that educate the staff in the full range of information they must know--curricular, campus resources, developmental issues facing the college-aged population, psychological issues, financial aid policies, etc.
• Manages advisors who handle discipline cases and student problems and crises. Recommends effective advising strategies for these students.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

• --

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree; professional degree or doctorate.

Experience:

• Minimally 5 years administrative experience in higher education, with increasing responsibilities.
• Teaching experience or demonstrated experience in pedagogy, learning support, and student success.
• Familiarity with University structure and functions of its various offices and departments.
• Familiarity with University systems, human resources, and budgets.
• Communicating with students, parents, University faculty and staff, and managing communication programs.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Mac and PC environments.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and online organizational tools.
• Familiarity with Adobe graphic design/web development environments.
• Proficiency with web and social media platforms.
• Learn new software and database tools.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including excellent editing/proofreading ability in English.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong organizational skills.
• Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communications skills and write well, edit written materials, speak in public and make presentations.
• Excellent computer skills and use complex databases and other record-keeping systems.
• Take initiative and provide leadership in a complex organization.
• Prioritize and manage concurrent tasks with interruptions, meet deadlines and respond to many emails, in person, and phone requests, in a timely fashion.
• Work effectively with supervision and as a part of a team, individually or while taking directions from others.
• Work effectively with multiple constituencies; establish good working relationships with people of different backgrounds.
• Handle multiple concurrent tasks in a competent and professional manner while also meeting deadlines.
• Collaborate with faculty.
• Maintain confidentiality/discretion related to students, faculty and staff, at all times.
• Work under pressure and handle stress situations with multiple competing deadlines.
• Multi-task and have attention to detail.
• Work independently.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, to include interest in position (required)
• Three References Contact Information (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$100,000.00 - $125,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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