Job Description

The Assistant Director of Student Life is an integral member of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs team within the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. The Assistant Director will develop partnerships, initiatives, services, and programming that foster a strong sense of community and engagement for all graduate degree students at Owen. As part of the Office of Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) and reporting to the Executive Director, the Assistant Director serves as a leader, advisor, advocate, and catalyst for enhancing the overall student experience. The Assistant Director will also collaborate with the Student Life team to support student leadership development and provide oversight to student clubs and organizations at Owen.

The Owen Graduate School of Management (OGSM) is a professional school at Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee, focused on graduate-level business education. Owen’s mission is to create opportunities for its faculty, staff, and students to discover, grow, and thrive in business and beyond. Owen recognizes discovery in traditional forms, such as scholarly research, intellectual curiosity, and curricular learning. But it also celebrates discovery unique to the human experience, that is, the art of becoming, which is lived through a desire to connect with others, to find meaning in work and relationships, and to create something new. Owen sees transformation as foundational.

The Office of Academic and Student Affairs is a forward-facing office which advocates and guides students through the Vanderbilt Business experience. This team of customer-service dedicated professionals focuses on creating and supporting high-quality student life experiences and holistic well-being for all students. The office of Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) is intentionally organized to support our students so that their rigorous and robust academic experience is complemented with sound and professional academic advising and impactful engagement in student organizations and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities
Student Engagement Continuously explore ways to foster programming and initiatives that enhance students’ sense of community and engagement. This may include community building activities during orientation, club leadership training, and heritage month celebrations throughout the year. Help ensure key cornerstone events that are designed to foster community – such as Cosmopolitan Week, Humans of Owen, Global Food Fest, and Coffee Roulette – are sustainable, supported, and evaluated year over year.  Support the developing and marketing of student initiatives and programming including study breaks, social and school-wide special events. Advise and support affinity clubs, the international student care group, and all individuals as needed. Support the Associate Director in advising student organizations including new officer transition, club leadership training, event planning, and funding allocation. Support ASA team, as needed, to respond to student emergencies, concerns, and complaints.

Communication

Implement student organization resource guide (supporting 30+ clubs) for club leaders. Create student life updates for Owen’s “What’s Happening” newsletter. Assist with the management of communication channels in Microsoft Teams for the Office of Academic and Student Affairs. This includes managing the Owen onboarding channel for all new students each summer.

Partnerships

Work closely with Owen Student Government Association (OSGA) President, Vice President, and Board to enhance offerings, initiatives, and programming. Collaborate with other student life professionals at Vanderbilt to enrich student programming at Owen. Engage with Degree Program Directors and Teams to assess needs, communicate initiatives, and support student engagement and community-building efforts across all Owen degree programs.

Program Administration and Special Events

Co-chair Wellness Committee: creating yearly wellness series with campus partners and resources to promote holistic wellbeing for all Owen students. Contribute to all large-scale, signature ASA events, including all-Owen Orientation and Commencement. Serve as Anchor Link (club management system) administrator for all Owen student clubs and manage all forms and event submissions. Work with the ASA team to identify strategies that promote a welcoming community for all students, e.g., preferred pronouns on name tents, and supportive language in the Owen honor code. Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Relationships

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Director, Office of Academic and Student Affairs at the Owen Graduate School of Management.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required; Master’s degree preferred. 3+ years of academic or professional experience in Student Life, Human Resources, Social Science, Organizational Performance, and/or related field is required. Experience in a student-oriented role within higher education is preferred. Track record of program planning, implementation, and managing across multiple important priorities. Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural competencies to effectively work with student populations and multiple stakeholders and functions in a collaborative and effective manner.  Excellent communication and presentation skills. Attention to detail and high level of accuracy. Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.