Department

School of Social Work

Primary Purpose

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Social Work (SSW) invites applications for the position of Office of Student Success (OSS) Operations Manager. This leadership role works closely with the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, the Office of Student Success, other School of Social Work programs and offices, and key partners across the University to ensure the effective delivery of programs, services, and initiatives that support student engagement and success.

The primary purpose of the OSS Operations Manager is to lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of administrative practices that enhance operational effectiveness within the Office of Student Success. This position oversees and coordinates administrative functions, with a strong emphasis on the management of daily operations that support student success and service excellence.

General Responsibilities

The OSS Operations Manager will provide comprehensive operational leadership and administrative coordination for the Office of Student Success. Responsibilities include overseeing daily office operations, optimizing administrative processes, and maintaining communication systems and data tracking practices to enhance service delivery. The position leads the planning and execution of major student-focused events and initiatives, manages scholarship and award processes, and supports student organizations, honor societies, and conduct-related activities. Additionally, the role serves as a key liaison across departments to ensure seamless coordination of student success efforts. The position also administers budget and resource management functions, ensuring compliance with institutional policies while supporting strategic planning. This individual operates with a high degree of independence, managing sensitive matters and contributing to cross-functional initiatives that advance the School’s mission and student outcomes.

Typical Duties

Daily Operations of the Office of Student Success (40%)

• Provide general oversight and coordination of administrative operations within the Office of Student Success
• Lead the development, implementation, and documentation of office processes, tools, and practices, including student conduct, honors and awards, and scholarship processes
• Identify opportunities to improve administrative effectiveness that enhances student support delivery in admissions, recruitment, and advising
• Provide office assessment support by developing processes for data collection across recruitment, admissions, and advising, including administering end-of-year surveys
• Monitor and process website updates and changes relevant to the Office of Student Success
• Coordinate dissemination of office events, deadlines, and opportunities through appropriate communication channels
• Maintain oversight of Office of Student Success communication systems, shared drives, calendars, and documentation repositories to ensure organization, accuracy, consistency, and accessibility
• Respond to student, faculty, and staff requests and issues as appropriate, including the monitoring of scholarship and readmission email accounts
• Independently manage complex and sensitive administrative matters, escalating as appropriate

Student Success Initiative Coordination (40%)

• Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of major events within the Office of Student Success, including oversight of logistics, timelines, communications, and post-event assessment. Major events include orientations, fall and spring Commencement, Student Award Ceremony, End of the Year Celebration, Welcome Days, Discovery Days, and more
• Lead and assist Office of Student Success leadership in designing, coordinating, and managing student engagement programming
• Oversee the School’s scholarship and award processes, managing application cycles, review workflows, and communications with students and faculty
• Provide administrative coordination and support for honor societies and student organizations affiliated with the School of Social Work, including membership tracking, communications, and event support
• Manage student financial assistance-related processes within the Office of Student Success, ensuring timely communication, accurate tracking, and alignment with institutional policies
• Provide administrative support for student conduct processes within the Office of Student Success
• Coordinate across internal offices to support event logistics, scholarship processes, and student support workflows, serving as a liaison to ensure continuity and efficiency

Budget and Resource Management (15%)

• Manage and monitor office budgets related to recruitment, retention, and other student success initiatives
• Prepare and process purchasing requests, reimbursements, and supply management in accordance with university and school policies
• Ensure compliance with institutional financial policies and provide regular updates to leadership to support strategic decision-making
• Attend budget meetings with Assistant Dean of Student Affairs

Other duties as assigned (5%)

• Serve as a cross-trained resource and operational back-up for other academic programs as needed
• Participate in School and University initiatives that require administrative expertise and cross-functional coordination
• Perform other administrative duties as assigned in support of School and program objectives

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, professional counseling, psychology or related field
• 3-5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement new services, policies, practices, or procedures
• Capacity to work creatively in both collaborative and independent contexts
• Ability to manage academic processes within and across academic units
• Ability to manage and execute highly complex or specialized projects or processes
• Ability to maintain confidential, accurate records and databases
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a welcoming and supportive environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, social work, professional counseling, psychology or related field
• Demonstrated experience in a higher education environment
• Considerable knowledge of principles and issues in recruitment, admissions, and retention initiatives
• Demonstrated experience planning and managing large-scale events or programs
• Demonstrated experience with scholarship, awards, student conduct, or student financial assistance processes
• Familiarity with data tracking, assessment, and process improvement initiatives
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets or financial processes in an institutional setting
• Demonstrated experience coordinating across multiple departments or units in a complex organization