Student Engagement - Assistant Director of Graduate Student Life

To apply:

Only applications submitted through the official Careers at SHU site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit Careers at SHU to submit a formal application.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete application and resume via our online application system. A cover letter or statement of interest is also preferred for all staff positions. 

Please note that changes cannot be made once an application has been submitted. You may, however, update your application/resume/cover letter each time you apply for a new position. To request that additional documents be attached to your current application, please email hr@sacredheart.edu within three days of submitting your applciation.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for being the frontline advocate for all domestic and international graduate students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. In addition to designing, implementing, and facilitating key student services and programs, this position will coordinate orientation programs for all graduate programs as well as lead the development of new graduate services and programs to enhance student experience.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Designs, implements, and coordinates all aspects of Graduate Student Life, including but not limited to dining services, student engagement, career services, student conduct, housing, transportation, parking, and other services as deemed appropriate.
• Acts as an outspoken advocate for all graduate students (including on site and online students), liaises with graduate program directors and graduate advisors in each college to ensure graduate students are fully supported.
• Works collaboratively with program directors, deans, and leadership across each college to identify opportunities to align the goals of graduate student life and academic colleges.
• Coordinates and implements graduate orientation programs and develops welcome and arrival programs in coordination with International Student Life, Graduate Admissions, and other offices supporting graduate student experience.
• Under the direction of the Executive Director, leads and participates in the assessment of all graduate life programs and services offered to graduate enrolled students, and participates in the development and implementation of the annual graduate student engagement plan.
• Oversees graduate student life internal communication to students to ensure students are well informed on available programs and services.
• Collaborates with colleagues across different functional areas with a particular focus on the offices of the Bursar, Registrar, all Graduate Program Directors and Faculty, Graduate Admissions, Graduate Advisors, and ESL to coordinate graduate student services.
• Attends to student matters and assists students with addressing their concerns.
• Effectively promotes graduate programs and services and analyzes programs for effectiveness and improvement.
• Assists with the graduate exit process, planning commencement, and communicating with the Registrar and University’s communications about graduate degree recipients.
• Develops web-based resources for prospective and current students related to admission, student life, event planning, and leadership development; updates and maintains graduate life webpages as needed.
• Facilitates referrals to appropriate academic and/or administrative departments, as necessary.
• Assists with various processes, including registration, housing, immigration, and transcripts.
• Participates in training and maintains a relationship with professional organizations to keep abreast of trends in graduate student life.
• Assists the Student Life department with events throughout the year.
• Represents the Division on designated committees.
• Acts as an advisor to graduate student organizations and serves on committees.
• Attends regional or national workshops and conferences as budget allows.
• Other duties as assigned to support the function of the Office of Graduate Student Services.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• Master’s degree is required.
• 5 years of experience in Higher Education Administration, preferably working with graduate student populations in student services or graduate advising.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Preferred prior experience in working with diverse and mature student populations.

Unusual Working Conditions

This is a 12-month full-time position, which will require some weekend and late evening hours.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.