Director, Student Activities

Please see Special Instructions for more details. Job Summary The Senior Director provides institution‑wide leadership for an integrated model of academic advising and career success coaching, aligning college‑based hubs and central services to deliver a seamless, student‑centered experience from enrollment through graduation and early career. The role sets vision and goals; builds capacity; stewards campus policy and practice in partnership with the Academic Advising Standards Council (AASC); and ensures consistent quality, equity, and outcomes across colleges/regions in accordance with University and USHE policy. The Senior Director leads a network of Directors, Associate Directors, and Assistant Directors who supervise frontline advisors and career coaches, advancing the Navigate U framework, proactive/adaptive advising, and career readiness aligned to NACADA and NACE competencies. This position reports directly to the Vice Provost for Student Success. Two Senior Directors Two Senior Directors of Academic Advising & Career Coaching will be hired, one for Region B and one for Region C. Region B includes Academic Advisors and Career Coaches in the David Eccles School of Business and the Price College of Engineering as well as a liaison with the Honors College. Region C includes Academic Advisors and Career Coaches in the Colleges of Architecture and Planning, Education, Fine Arts, Health, Nursing, Social Work, Division of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Exploring and Pre‑Professional Advising within Undergraduate Studies, and the Utah Asia Campus as well as a liaison with the Honors College. Responsibilities Serve as the Region’s executive lead for the integrated advising and career coaching ecosystem; engage AASC working groups to update standards and practices. Translate institutional strategy (e.g., Impact 2030; Navigate U commitments) into an advising/coaching operating plan with annual goals, KPIs, and college‑level compacts. Ensure staffing classification and all staffing plans are coordinated with AASC and adhere to approved compensatory factors and caseload guidance. Architect a unified student journey that connects academic planning, career exploration, work‑integrated learning, and post‑grad outcomes. Establish service‑level practices (e.g., speed‑to‑appointment, case routing, caseload balance), and lead continuous improvement using student voice and thriving metrics. Directly supervise College/School Navigate Hub Directors and Associate Directors and Assistant Directors of Advising and Career Success; indirectly lead Senior/Lead Advisors, Coaching Managers, and specialized teams. Cultivate a culture of collaboration and shared purpose between academic advisors and career coaches, strengthening partnerships and fostering alignment across teams. Steward the career ladder operationalization in partnership with training and development systems; ensure role clarity, equitable advancement pathways, and competency‑based development. Allocate advising/coaching capacity across hubs/regions using approved caseload norms; rebalance load based on enrollment mix, modality, and student risk signals. Manage operating and personnel budgets; lead multi‑year hiring plans tied to retention, progression, and completion (RPC) targets. Maintain zero frontline advising/coaching FTE at the Senior Director level, reserving this role for leadership, strategy, quality, and cross‑unit integration. Own the data strategy for advising/coaching: define KPIs, dashboards, and review cadences; drive data democratization and accountability. Govern the advising tech stack (e.g., EAB Navigate, degree‑planning tools, CRMs) and ensure adoption, training, and evidence‑based practice. Lead systematic assessment and audit cycles (file reviews, observed practice, rubric‑based evaluations) to ensure fidelity to standards and equitable outcomes. Coordinate with Colleges, U Career Success, Registrar, Financial Aid/Scholarships, First‑Gen/Scholars programs, Center for Teaching Excellence, International, Veteran & Military, Athletics, and other campus and community partners. Advise on and implement University/USHE policy changes affecting advising/coaching practice. Lead campus‑wide communications on advising/coaching expectations, service levels, and student outcomes; facilitate communities of practice and annual summits. Strategic planning, portfolio management, and enterprise‑level change leadership. Advanced data literacy; ability to set and socialize metrics, read dashboards, and lead action plans with college leaders. Talent strategy: workforce planning, competency modeling (AAMP), and inclusive leadership. Student‑centered design; strong communication and relationship‑building across academic and administrative units. Deep understanding of advising/coaching modalities and career development frameworks. Working Conditions & Special Requirements Evening/weekend events as needed (e.g., orientation, career fairs). This role is on‑site/hybrid per University policy; occasional in/out of‑state travel. Compensation & Posting Guidance Management Track classification and grade are set in alignment with approved compensatory factors (AACP/AAMP). Posting range is established by HR in consultation with the Vice Provost’s office, based on role scope and market data; use the University’s approved ranges for Senior Director‑level positions. Per approved guidance, the Senior Director role is non‑caseload; all budgeted FTE at this level are dedicated to leadership, strategy, quality, and integration. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) and 14 years of directly related experience or Master’s degree (or equivalency) and 12 years of directly related experience. Equivalency: One year of higher education may substitute for one year of directly related experience. Progressive leadership of large, multi‑unit advising/coaching or student success operations in a research university or comparably complex environment. Demonstrated experience supervising leaders (e.g., Directors/Associate Directors/Managers) and managing multi‑million‑dollar budgets. Evidence of designing/adopting NACADA/NACE‑aligned practices; experience with advising technology (e.g., EAB Navigate), degree audit/planning, and CRM/BI tools. Track record of improving retention, progression, completion, and/or career outcomes at scale. Preferences Doctoral degree or terminal professional degree. Leadership experience integrating academic advising with career development, work‑integrated learning, and industry engagement. Expertise in data‑informed resource planning (caseload modeling, capacity/case routing), continuous improvement, and equity‑minded assessment. Success leading cross‑college initiatives, engaging in shared‑governance bodies (e.g., AASC), and working within state system policy (USHE or similar). Regional/national engagement (NACADA, NACE, APLU/UIA/AAU), publications/presentations, and contributions to the profession. Special Instructions Summary Two Senior Directors of Academic Advising & Career Coaching will be hired, one for Region B and one for Region C. Region B includes Academic Advisors and Career Coaches in the David Eccles School of Business and the Price College of Engineering as well as a liaison with the Honors College. Region C includes Academic Advisors and Career Coaches in the Colleges of Architecture and Planning, Education, Fine Arts, Health, Nursing, Social Work, Division of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Exploring and Pre‑Professional Advising within Undergraduate Studies, and the Utah Asia Campus as well as a liaison with the Honors College. Additional Information The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post‑retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post‑retirement rules. This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients. All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. The University of Utah is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affluent Action (OEO/AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/ Posting Specific Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). Required Documents Resume Cover Letter Optional Documents Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD‑2214) – Veteran Only Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only University Human Resource Management250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111Contact us: (801) 581-2169 By Email: employment@utah.edu #J-18808-Ljbffr