Assistant Dean of Administration - Campus Life (Fixed Term for 3 Years)

UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) seeks to appoint an Assistant Dean of Administration to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Dean of Students (AVC/DOS) to work closely with the Campus Life Senior Leadership Team and other university departments to provide strategic and operational support for the AVC/DOS, and assist in managing a wide variety of stakeholders, critical issues, ad-hoc projects, and communications that relate to the Division of Campus Life. This role, reporting directly to the AVC/DOS, will collaborate with a wide variety of internal stakeholders to design and implement the priorities and direction of the AVC/DOS.

The Assistant Dean of Administration will provide leadership, coordination, and oversight for the Dean of Students Office – including guiding administrative, communication, policy, and organizational matters under the direction of the AVC/DOS. This role will proactively cultivate relationships with students, faculty, and staff in order to serve as a conduit to the AVC/DOS, and will partner with Campus Life leadership to address timely and sensitive issues. The Assistant Dean of Administration will also represent the AVC/DOS and the Division on university committees / working groups and will coordinate key Division-wide communications, in consultation with the Office of Public Affairs.

The Assistant Dean of Administration will assist the AVC/DOS with coordination of the Campus Life Senior Leadership Team, including managing agendas, planning retreats, internal policies, and recruitment/hiring (as needed). This role will serve as an advisor to the AVC/DOS on an expansive variety of organizational, operational, and strategic issues, and will partner with the AVC/DOS to identify and execute projects that support the priorities and mission of both Campus Life and NYU Abu Dhabi. 

This role is far-reaching in its responsibilities and there will be opportunities for the Assistant Dean of Administration to develop their specific responsibilities to match their experiences and interests. As a member of the Campus Life Senior Leadership Team, the Assistant Dean of Administration must set a positive example for others and represent the Division with other key stakeholders, including University leadership, government partners, NYU colleagues, and students and families.  

The Assistant Dean of Administration is an active contributor to University and Division-wide programs, including admissions events, new student orientation, student leadership training, athletic programs, and more. This role requires frequent evening and weekend activities throughout the academic year. 

Background:

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is a central part of NYU’s global network, marked by a uniquely international student population (100+ nationalities); a rigorous, liberal arts and science academic program; and a location at the crossroads of the Arab world. We are a highly diverse community that shapes and examines issues of common humanity through multicultural perspectives; recognizes that the breadth of an education here extends far beyond the classroom and the campus; sees students themselves as educators; and recognizes that true engagement with the breadth of our diversity requires curiosity, humility, and engagement with contrasting views and values.  

NYUAD’s Division of Campus Life brings together multiple functional areas within student affairs – including cultural engagement, spiritual life, student involvement, community outreach, career development, athletics, residential education, fitness, student conduct, health and wellness, accessibility services, and more – to provide students with the structure, resources, and support to maximize their educational experience and reach their full potential. The Division of Campus Life plays a crucial role in shaping the out-of-classroom experience for a highly diverse (the vast majority of students from outside the region) residential population of 1500+ undergraduate students. The Division is led by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Dean of Students (AVC/DOS), who provide strategic direction and oversight of Campus Life programs, services, and engagements.  

Key Responsibilities:

Stakeholder and Issue Management / Dean of Students Office

• This role will develop relationships with key stakeholders, including students, staff, and faculty, from across the institution through multiple platforms (i.e. focus groups, forums, meetings, etc) to enhance internal outreach, gather feedback, and inform AVC/DOS priorities. This role will serve as the lead for the Dean of Students Office, where s/he will assess, prioritize, troubleshoot, and resolve an expansive set of issues and projects before they escalate to the AVC/DOS. This role will provide oversight and guidance for the Dean of Students Office staff, with particular attention to aligning the team’s work with the priorities of the AVC/DOS
• This role will supervise an Office Manager/Executive Assistant and partner with them to help the AVC/DOS manage competing priorities and ensure operational effectiveness

Operations 

• This role will undertake a variety of cross-functional responsibilities for the Campus Life Division on behalf of the AVC/DOS, closely collaborating with colleagues in risk management, compliance, legal, dining, campus operations, finance, bursar, registrar, IT, human resources, and business continuity to ensure that the operational priorities of both students and the AVC/DOS are represented. This role will represent the Campus Life Division and the AVC/DOS in resolving challenges and enhancing operational effectiveness in close collaboration with students and Campus Life colleagues
• This role will work closely with Campus Life leadership on fiscal affairs, budget preparation, and operational planning – including working closely with the AVC/DOS to identify headcount / staffing needs, implement organizational changes, and ensure that the mid / long term needs of the Division are properly accounted for in institutional planning

Strategic Communications & Projects

• Play a lead role in the development and execution of strategic communications, in close consultation with the AVC/DOS and Public Affairs, on a wide variety of topics and issues. Partner with colleagues to identify and leverage opportunities to articulate the priorities, mission, and impact of Campus Life to internal and external audiences. Represent the priorities of the AVC/DOS on a wide variety of strategic and policy-related issues
• Work on behalf of the AVC/DOS to conceptualize, lead, and implement ad-hoc projects that support the mission and priorities of the Campus Life Division and broader university. Build consensus among internal stakeholders in the execution of a wide range of projects that require tact, independent judgment, diplomacy, flexibility, and sensitivity   

Coordination of Campus Life Senior Leadership Team 

• In close consultation with the AVC/DOS, provide operational and strategic support for the Campus Life Senior Leadership Team. This includes managing agendas and action items; ensuring effective communication across units; identifying and resolving issues or concerns that relate to the AVC/DOS; planning meetings/retreats that drive the effectiveness of the team; and cultivating strong, positive relationships with each department head

Contribute to Division and University Programs/ Events

• Collaborate with Campus Life and University colleagues to support the planning and/or execution of programming, events, and activities. This includes weekend and evening commitments during the academic year, and includes representing the Campus Life Division and/or the AVC/DOS

Required Education:

• Master’s Degree in Policy, Business, Education, Student Affairs or related field

Required Experience: 

• 5+ years of progressively responsible administrative and operational experience in a complex, mission-driven organization or equivalent combination
• Experience with strategic planning, stakeholder management, communications, and fiscal operations
• Demonstrated excellence in leadership and managerial skills and the capacity to influence, guide, lead, and coordinate across a highly diverse team of professionals
• Experience or demonstrated interest in working with a highly diverse, uniquely international community of students, staff, and faculty along with a commitment to diversity and inclusion

• Demonstrated success in conceptualizing, coordinating, planning, and executing projects and programs, with a high level of detail and complex set of stakeholder interests
• Demonstrated record of effective communication within an organizational context, including experience with memo writing, speeches, messaging, and presentations

• Ability to translate abstract, long-term objectives into tangible, action-oriented projects that align with organizational priorities
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, administrators and external partners and stakeholders
• Ability to appreciate and incorporate diverse learning styles, educational backgrounds, and communication styles
• Ability to interact and communicate with individuals at all levels
• Ability to conceptualize, plan, and oversee execution of projects and initiatives in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
• Excellent listening skills to accurately understand others and provide effective feedback
• Good judgment, discretion, independence and initiative. A capacity to work collegially and collaboratively
• Excellent presentation, written and oral communication skills in English
• An ability to prioritize and to handle multiple projects on tight deadlines, organized work habits, consistent accuracy, and attentiveness to detail
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office

Preferred Experience:  

• Prior experience in an international higher education institution/organization
• Prior experience with and an interest in small, residential, liberal arts institutions
• Prior exposure or experience living/working in an international environment
• Interest in and awareness of the UAE and/or Middle East region
• Prior experience with budget management and financial planning/analysis