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Overview

The Director of the McDougal Graduate Student Center and Student Life will provide visionary leadership and supervise day-to-day management of the Center. This position reports to the Dean of the Graduate School, or the Dean’s designee, and serves as a primary advocate for the graduate student population, working collaboratively with university administration, academic departments, and student organizations to provide resources, community-building opportunities, and professional development. In addition, the Director will oversee all large-scale events such as orientation, matriculation, commencement, and any other events that may be deemed necessary by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Strategic Leadership & Management

• Strategic Direction: Develop and implement a long-term vision and strategic plan for the Graduate Student Center that aligns with the institution’s mission and supports the holistic needs of graduate students.
• Operational Management: Oversee all aspects of Center operations, including facility usage, program development, and resource allocation.
• Staff Supervision: Work with the associate director of the Center to hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff and student hourly employees, fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Policy Development: Establish Center policies and procedures that comply with university regulations and support students’ needs. 

Student Support & Programming

• Participate in Recruitment activities: Provide GSAS resource information for department or program information sessions and assist with virtual recruitment outreach.
• Professional Development: Curate, promote, and deliver programs to enrich the academic journeys, personal growth, and professional development of graduate students, and also coordinate programming with the Office of Career Strategy, the assistant dean for graduate student professional development, and other campus constituencies.
• Student Organization Support: Assist with advising graduate student organizations, including the Graduate Student Assembly, to enhance student life and engagement.
• Student Community Building: Create a welcoming environment that fosters interdisciplinary networking and belonging, including overseeing family-friendly events and large-scale events, such as orientation, matriculation, and commencement.
• Advising & Advocacy: Serve as an advocate for graduate students, providing guidance on issues and connecting students with campus resources (e.g., mental health counseling and wellness, career services). 

Fiscal & Administrative Responsibilities

• Budget Oversight: Develop and monitor annual budgets, manage internal financial controls, and ensure compliance with university fiscal policies.
• Data-Driven Assessment: Utilize metrics and student survey data to evaluate the effectiveness of programs, identify trends in student needs, and drive continuous improvement. 

Internal & External Liaison

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Function as a key liaison between the Graduate School, university offices supporting graduate student needs, and academic departments to enhance infrastructure and support.
• Representation: Represent the graduate student population at national graduate student life conferences and meetings.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Please include a resume and cover letter. Education: Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field.

2. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in student affairs, student success, or related fields, with a significant portion focused on graduate students.

3. Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and supervise staff while fostering a welcoming environment for all.

4. Fiscal Management: Proven experience managing budgets, financial planning, and compliance.

5. Communication: Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with the ability to represent the center to various stakeholders. 

Principal Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Management
1.    Strategic Direction: Develop and implement a long-term vision and strategic plan for the Graduate Student Center that aligns with the institution’s mission and supports the holistic needs of graduate students.
2.    Operational Management: Oversee all aspects of Center operations, including facility usage, program development, and resource allocation.
3.    Staff Supervision: Work with the associate director of the Center to hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff and student hourly employees, fostering a collaborative work environment. 
4.    Policy Development: Establish Center policies and procedures that comply with university regulations and support students’ needs. 
Student Support & Programming
1.    Participate in Recruitment activities: Provide Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) resource information for department or program information sessions and assist with virtual recruitment outreach.
2.    Professional Development: Curate, promote, and deliver programs to enrich the academic journeys, personal growth, and professional development of graduate students, and also coordinate programming with the Office of Career Strategy, the assistant dean for graduate student professional development, and other campus constituencies.
3.    Student Organization Support: Assist with advising graduate student organizations, including the Graduate Student Assembly, to enhance student life and engagement.
4.    Student Community Building: Create a welcoming environment that fosters interdisciplinary networking and belonging, including overseeing family-friendly events and large-scale events, such as orientation, matriculation, and commencement.
5.    Advising & Advocacy: Serve as an advocate for graduate students, providing guidance on issues and connecting students with campus resources (e.g., mental health counseling and wellness, career services). 
Fiscal & Administrative Responsibilities
1.    Budget Oversight: Develop and monitor annual budgets, manage internal financial controls, and ensure compliance with university fiscal policies.
2.    Data-Driven Assessment: Utilize metrics and student survey data to evaluate the effectiveness of programs, identify trends in student needs, and drive continuous improvement. 
Internal & External Liaison
1.    Stakeholder Collaboration: Function as a key liaison between the Graduate School, university offices supporting graduate student needs, and academic departments to enhance infrastructure and support.
2.    Representation: Represent the graduate student population at national graduate student life conferences and meetings.

Required Education and Experience

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

1.    Ph.D.
2.    Knowledge of federal regulations related to student services.
3.    Familiarity with online student engagement platforms. 
4.    Experience managing informational websites.
5.    Interest in using AI for managing resource information.

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Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.

About Yale University

Yale University is an American private Ivy League research university located in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

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