"Associate Vice President and Dean of Students"

Job Details

About the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs is the hub of student life and well-being at The University of Texas at Austin. The team inspires all students — undergraduate, graduate and professional — to live the Longhorn life through its uniquely-designed programs, spaces and resources. They serve every student through physical health, mental health and well-being services; new student and family orientations; recreational sports; two university unions; and the University’s official parent association. The Division supports 1,100+ student organizations; student governance organizations; student outreach, legal, and disability and access services. The team also provides student employment, leadership, first generation and volunteer programs.

Purpose

This high-profile leadership role is an exceptional opportunity to help students thrive and become positive contributors to society. As Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, this individual will set a bold vision, champion operational excellence and drive initiatives that will help students navigate a complex world.

Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students leads a multifaceted portfolio that serves all students and families through comprehensive support and involvement opportunities. This position works closely with students, families, academic and campus partners, and University leadership.

With a focus on expressive activity, crisis and issues management, and student conduct, this leader will collaborate with students, faculty and staff to promote open inquiry and transparency while upholding the rule of law.

This leader will also be a strategic thought partner to the Vice President for Student Affairs. They will not only think in a granular and detail-oriented fashion, but understand the big picture, acknowledging that the University’s mission, culture and scale are unlike any other institution.

Responsibilities

Core Focus

• Drives excellence across the department’s multi-unit operations with an emphasis on expressive activities; crisis, issues, reputation and risk management; student conduct; student organizations; student and family outreach, support, programs and orientations.
• Oversees a $13 million operating budget and leads a team of 74 professional employees, 230 undergraduate student employees and 20 graduate assistants who prioritize student development, innovation and efficiency.
• Works closely with student leaders by being accessible; listening and learning about their unique, complex issues and concerns; and supporting them to identify viable paths forward.
• Cultivates and builds high-performing teams and delivers strategic growth through long-term planning, optimized campus partnerships and new opportunities to enhance student life.
• Collaborates closely with the Vice President for Student Affairs, academic and campus partners, and University leadership to improve the student experience in alignment with institutional priorities, rules, policies and procedures.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership: Articulates and drives a compelling long-term vision that elevates the student experience and aligns with institutional priorities, rules, policies and procedures.
• Student Development: Understands the complexities of students’ daily lives, helping prepare them with foundational principles to thrive in a complex world.
• Interpersonal Communication: Possesses the awareness, judgment, political acumen and strategic ability to navigate organizational dynamics, competing interests and differing viewpoints.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Develops robust relationships with students, families, faculty, staff, University leaders, donors and external partners to advance the University’s mission.
• Operational Oversight: Oversees daily operations of the department’s programs and resources in alignment with institutional priorities, rules and regulations, and governmental policies and laws.
• Team Development: Builds and empowers high-performing teams with a culture rooted in trust, delegation, accountability and professional growth.
• Innovation and Adaptability: Champions proactive change by forecasting trends, managing disruption and implementing improvements.
• Financial Acumen: Ensures operational sustainability by integrating strategic financial planning, development initiatives and key performance indicators to drive improvement.
• Technology Advancement: Improves the use of technology to enhance student support resources and services to elevate their success.
• Vendor and Contract Management: Leads complex negotiations and manages third-party partnerships to maximize value, reinforcing institutional goals and performance standards.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education or applicable sector.
• Proven track record in overseeing expressive activities; crisis, issues, reputation and risk management; student conduct; and student and family support and involvement programs.
• Understands how to effectively interpret and apply institutional priorities, rules and regulations, and governmental policies and laws into daily operations.
• Demonstrates a strong background in creating impactful programs, services and resources that enhance the student experience.
• Possesses exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with a focus on political acumen and ability to navigate a complex environment.
• Engages effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, University leaders, donors and external partners.
• Has extensive experience managing a large staff, budgets and complex organizational operations.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in relevant field, Juris Doctor or other relevant terminal degree.

Salary

$245,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Occasional nights and weekends as needed to support events and activities. Must be able to be flexible in schedule.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest