Senior Director of Student Affairs
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Join a community that combines excellence in legal education and scholarship with a deep commitment to justice. Here at Harvard Law School (HLS), you’ll find an environment that values who you are and encourages you to grow, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact. Wherever you are in your career journey, HLS is a place where you can thrive, contribute, and be part of something bigger.
Job Description
The Dean of Students Office (DOS) works with faculty and other Harvard Law School (HLS) administrative offices to orient 1,800 students to law school life and to provide resources and counseling on a variety of matters that may arise in both students’ academic and personal lives.
The Senior Director of Student Affairs is a strategic, visible leader responsible for multiple aspects of student affairs and student support. It will oversee referral of students to various resources, policy compliance, student emergencies, implementation of various programmatic priorities, and all wellness programming.
As Senior Director of Student Affairs you will:
- Operate as a key, visible, sought-after partner in supporting students in navigating school resources, administering school policy, and shaping other aspects of student affairs and student life.
- Liaise regularly with the Office of General Counsel (OGC), Office of the Registrar, Office of Academic Affairs, Student Financial Services, Harvard University Health Services (HUHS), University Disability Resources (UDR), Office of Equal Opportunity, and others to develop plans to support access to resources on campus.
- Conduct yearly review of HLS Handbook of Academic Policies (HAP), Faculty Handbook, and Visiting Faculty Handbook and offer feedback for edits and policy revision.
- Serve as HUPD and HUHS point of contact for students who experience emergencies, extenuating circumstances, hospital transport, etc.
- Manage staff who are primary point of contact for students who require academic or personal support. Interventions include referrals for accessibility accommodations, referrals to academic support services, HUHS, and other resources as appropriate.
- Manage the medical and personal leaves of absence process within the Dean of Students Office, delegating as appropriate.
- Liaise between students and Administrative Board Subcommittee for student requests for academic dispensation and consideration (petition to withdraw past the deadline, for example), delegating as appropriate.
- Manage staff support for international students including liaising with the Harvard International Office (HIO), delegating as appropriate
- Primary point of contact for academic support vendor(s); responsible for yearly contract for review and review of services and offerings.
- Promote general best practice in higher education and student affairs (promote FERPA trainings and other professional development opportunities for staff).
- Oversees the development and execution of wellness programming.
- Participate in HLS and University-wide committees related to access to campus resources and student affairs.
- Participate in, support, and – where appropriate – contribute to planning for annual campus events, such as Commencement, Orientation, the Ames Moot Court competitions, Late Night Pancake Breakfast, and other events and programming.
- Spearhead other student affairs special projects and initiatives as assigned.
- Perform other appropriate duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum of 10 years’ relevant work experience
- Supervisory experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills
We are looking for people who have:
- Solid background in management, program coordination, planning, and organization.
- Must have demonstrated ability to lead, to work well on a team, to work effectively with diverse students, faculty, and administrators.
- Proven effectiveness in written and oral communication.
- Ability to make independent judgments.
- This position requires a high level of confidentiality and diplomacy as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
- Ability to interface with challenging stakeholders in conversations often requiring a mix of empathy, critical thinking, and leadership presence.
- Experience with mentoring and coaching, ideally with a student audience.
Additional Information
Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-Time. Will require working evening and weekend hours and the ability to be on-call 24/7 for student emergencies.
Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
Other Information:
All offers are made by HLS Human Resources.
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Work Format Details
This is a position that is based at a Harvard campus location with some remote work options available. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy. Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.