Director of Student Services

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles and a global center for arts, technology, and international business, USC is also one of the largest private employers in the City of Los Angeles. We are searching for exceptional individuals to help us fulfill our mission: developing individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. As an employee of USC, you will be part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

USC Athletics aims to inspire champions in competition and in the classroom. We exist to enrich the lives of students to positively impact our community and world for generations to come. Operating with the four core values of Competitive Spirit, Togetherness, Passionate Pride for USC, and Our Courage to Blaze the Trail, the Trojans choose to lead by example. With over 600 student-athletes competing throughout USC’s 23 sports programs, USC Athletics is committed to serving as the unmatched, unquestioned top destination for talented student-athletes to reach their fullest potential in all that they do and offering student-athletes the ability to compete for NCAA and Big Ten championships while working toward a degree from one of the world’s leading universities.

Job Description:

USC Athletics is looking to hire a Director of Student Services to join our staff and student community of 600+ individuals. This role will serve as a subject matter expert/resource for the Trojan Student-Athlete Services team and will support other populations and programs as assigned. Additional requirements include oversight of a staff of USC student workers.

Reporting directly to Dr. Khalilah Lauderdale, Associate Athletic Director for Student Services, the Director of Student Services will work closely with members of the Athletic Department and Athletic Compliance, as well as most areas of USC central administration (including but not limited to: Auxiliary Services, Bursar, Financial Aid Office, Office of International Services, Provost Payroll, Business Services, USC Keck, card services and student affairs). The ideal candidate is an agile, adaptable student affairs professional dedicated to building a culture of service and support for a diverse and highly accomplished student body. Athletics expects advisors to demonstrate impeccable ethics and collegiality, promote an environment that fosters inclusive relationships, and upholds the USC Code of Ethics principles. This individual will plan, develop or modify, implement, communicate, and evaluate program services, activities, and special events accordingly to ensure efficacy and understanding. Knowledge of and experience working in higher education preferred. Understanding of the unique culture and needs of college athletes preferred. Job duties may be added or modified as needed.

This position serves a diverse student and staff population, must demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for historically under-served populations, and is expected to contribute to the program’s diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts. USC Athletics is committed to increasing diversity in its staff and welcomes applications from persons of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, and sexual orientations.

This is an exempt position with work expected full time and in person at the UPC Campus with occasional nights and weekends. This is a fully in-person position at USC's University Park Campus in Los Angeles, California. The Director of Student Services will be expected to work on-site at least four days per week and maintain an entirely on-site presence during high-volume on-campus activity (for example, at the beginning of each semester and during Commencement week). This position is not eligible for hybrid/fully remote work.

Roles and responsibilities to include:

Leadership & Strategy: (10%)

• Work closely with departmental and school-wide leadership to deliver a best-in-class experience, implement program goals, and integrate methodologies with the USC Athletics broader department and conference goals.

• Manage a subordinate Student Services student worker population that supports each student-athlete. Indirectly manage volunteers and interns. Assess performance and provides feedback, counseling, or corrective action, as needed, to ensure high team productivity and performance.

• Drive team operational strategies and execution of student services for USC Athletics population.

• Maintain a leadership role on departmental and university committees to stay well-informed on issues impacting student services and to ensure that programs are well-represented.

Student Service Administration (70%)

• Manage full-service advisement services for the USC Athletics student population. Drive operational innovation to ensure efficient delivery of best practices across all service areas. Harness new technologies and practices to improve service delivery. Participate in strategic planning and operationalization.

• Execute specific student services directly and via subordinate team:

  • Provide student services support to student-athletes. Develop specialized areas of financial eligibility expertise as assigned. Monitor student progress and update online student resources as necessary.

  • Work in partnership with SAAS to evaluate complex problems – whether financial, administrative, or personal – and refer students to appropriate offices for assistance. Liaise with other offices on behalf of students to facilitate problem resolution.

  • Maintain and compile statistical data. Prepare reports for internal and external use.

  • Oversee the onboarding/departure of student-athletes to ensure a best-in-class experience. Partner with teams, Athletic Compliance, campus, Athletic Medicine, OIS, FAO, and departmental procedures to support seamless transitions.

  • Oversee communications regarding student and parent programs; plan and execute other outreach strategies to make students and other constituencies aware of services. Support communications strategy; monitor the development of virtual materials and staff presentation guides to ensure consistency in delivering information regarding student programs. Support communications with coaches, staff, and sports administrators to facilitate the attainment of program objectives. Monitor progress and adjust plans or targets as needed.

  • Attend departmental, school, and university meetings relevant to student services. Maintain currency on all policy and procedural changes. Interact with other university departments and with external organizations as required to coordinate and negotiate service.

Financial and Health Administration Management (20%)

• Support all direct funding for student-athletes based on the NCAA, institutional and federal/state policies and recommendation by the Financial Aid office for all student types; manage and enter this data in the funding tracker tool.

• Work in collaboration with USC Athletic Compliance and provost payroll team to provide onboarding information for all graduate/international students, as applicable.

• Student Health Insurance waiver process support, reporting, and communication.

• Prepare, run ad hoc reports, and analysis for SAOF or the SBO related to NCAA supplementary funding.

Job duties may be added or modified as needed.

Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree (master’s or doctorate preferred) and have a minimum of 5 years of experience (7 years preferred). Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• Directly-related experience in leading the delivery of student services is required.

• Proficient with:

  • Knowledge of USC's policies and programs.

  • Understanding of diversity and inclusion principles.

  • Proficiency in student information systems, Workday, Microsoft 365 suite.

  • Strong communication and collaboration skills.

  • Experience managing student spending.

  • Experience coordinating student personnel (Graduate Assistants, etc.)

  • Experience with student success initiatives and data analysis.

  • Experience with student health administration processes.

  • Ability to work with a diverse student population.

  • Familiarity with financial aid and on-campus housing.

  • Commitment to student-centered support and university mission.

• Experience working in higher education and/or a sports related field ideal.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

Salary Range:

The annual base salary range for this position is $83,490.10 - $98,049.03. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To Apply:

All candidates must submit a resume with their application. Additional materials may be requested at a later date. All USC employees will undergo reference checking and background screening prior to hire.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.

-The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree (master’s or doctorate preferred) and have a minimum of 5 years of experience (7 years preferred). Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education. -Directly-related experience in leading the delivery of student services is required. Proficient with: -Knowledge of USC's policies and programs. -Understanding of diversity and inclusion principles. -Proficiency in student information systems, Workday, Microsoft 365 suite. -Strong communication and collaboration skills. -Experience managing student spending. -Experience coordinating student personnel (Graduate Assistants, etc.) -Experience with student success initiatives and data analysis. -Experience with student health administration processes. -Ability to work with a diverse student population. -Familiarity with financial aid and on-campus housing. -Commitment to student-centered support and university mission. -Experience working in higher education and/or a sports related field ideal.

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