I. Job Summary

The Director of Student Development & Advocacy is a highly visible position responsible for implementing the mission and vision of D’Youville University while directing student development and advocacy efforts. This position will provide oversight for the programming initiatives delivered through The Park which encompasses innovative services for all students and through the Cultural Enrichment Center which serves students from non-dominate backgrounds while educating students of the dominate culture. 

The successful candidate will be a self-starter who thrives amidst an ever-changing and unpredictable work environment and will have demonstrated skills in the areas of student support and programming. The Director of Student Development & Advocacy will report directly to the Dean of Students; is responsible for the departmental budget and will serve on various University committees. Evening and weekend hours may be required when the University is in session to manage workload and attend meetings and University functions. This position oversees a comprehensive student development model that works very closely with Student Engagement and Student Leadership to ensure that the University is “student-ready” and that every student has the opportunity to be engaged outside of the classroom. 

II. Primary Job Duties

Student Development:

• Oversee the University’s MetaReady programming which delivers developmental modules to all undergraduate students through the metaverse, 
  • Work closely with the Office of Student Housing to provide additional developmental opportunities to those students who show unsatisfactory results in MetaReady programming,

• Serve as an advisor for the Student Government Association to ensure the promotion of student leadership while coordinating annual training sessions, 
  • Coordinate training and development for all student clubs and organizations on campus,
• Work closely with the Office of Student Housing to ensure the successful distribution of Living Learning Communities within the Residence Halls,
• Oversee the student Engage system to help ensure student involvement on campus, especially amongst first-year students, and implement efforts to drive this involvement,
• Participate in large University events (orientation, open house, welcome weeks, RedFest, celebration weeks, etc.) to ensure familiarity and access to students.

Student Advocacy:

• Serve as an ‘ombudsman’ for any student in need of navigating University policies or procedures,
• Oversee student wellness vending services on campus,
• Maintain the ‘campus cupboard’ which offers students access to free food and personal care items within the Wellness Lodge,
• Coordinate services and community relations which help to remediate clothing, housing, and other life needs of students,
• Organize and distribute student event opportunities (educational and social) in collaboration with local and national advocacy partners that focus on financial literacy, personal wellness, and navigating adulthood,
• Develop policies and procedures that help de-stigmatize advocacy services,
• Provide oversight and guidance to the staff within the Cultural Enrichment Center,
• Chair the University CARE committee while following NaBITA guidelines; collaborating with faculty and staff across campus to offer early intervention to students who exhibit behavioral or personal well-being needs,
• Serve as the Student Affairs representative for specific scholarship award and financial aid appeals as needed,
• Work closely with the Project Director for Violence Prevention & Wellness Education to further promote student services on campus,
• Coordinate the University’s BookReady and TechReady programs.

III. Other Job Duties

• Provide supervision, development, and feedback for all direct reports including professional and student staff,
• Ensure a student-centered departmental environment with a focus on customer service,
• Support the overall campus programming model by collaborating with faculty, staff, and SGA on initiatives and events,
• Serve as an AtIXa trained investigator/hearing panel officer,
• Manage departmental assessment efforts and data gathering, respond to data/statistical inquiries from campus stakeholders, and ensure student development and satisfaction,
• Serve as an educator, mediator, reviewer when a student concern is escalated as a result of published policy, departmental process, or at the request of the Dean of Students,
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean of Students.

IV. Job Specifications 
Education:

• Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, or related field 

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience working with college aged students,
• History of training and presenting to individuals and groups,
• Record of establishing and maintaining collaborative and effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, community agencies and/or governing boards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with advocacy related services,
• An understanding of implementing online education services,
• Proven supervisory experience. 

V. Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Possess the ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations,
• Handle multiple tasks and priorities at once while solving problems and thinking innovatively,
• Administrative, organizational, supervisory, and budget-management skills,
• Ability to travel with dependable transportation,
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends,
• Extended periods of sitting, standing, stair climbing, maneuvering objects of substantial weight,
• Must possess a student-centered personal philosophy

Work Remotely - No

Work Location: Buffalo, NY

Job Type: Full Time, Exempt

Pay: $55,000 - $60,000

Additional Salary Information

The salary range reflects our good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, the role and associated responsibilities, and the experience, education, and training of the selected candidate.

About The Institution

D’Youville is a highly regarded private university and research institution with a rich history located on the vibrant West Side of Buffalo adjacent to a growing downtown with year-round cultural events and outdoor recreation. While preparing students for the 21st-century, D’Youville excels at helping students reach their career goals as change agents, doing well for themselves and their communities by doing good. Under the leadership of President Lorrie Clemo, the university is moving boldly forward through a dynamic and integrated planning process to strengthen the institution and positively impact the student experience and surrounding community.

Founded in 1908, the Grey Nuns named the college after the Patron Saint Marguerite D’Youville and committed to making it a compassionate place of learning for those from underrepresented populations. That commitment and tradition continue today.

D’Youville was the first college in Western New York to offer baccalaureate degree programs for women. With a long Catholic history, D’Youville welcomes students of every culture, background, and faith and is a place where different faith traditions can be openly shared and respected. Coeducational since 1971, D’Youville strives to expand opportunities for diverse learners, including adults, first-generation, low-income, and other students historically underrepresented in higher education. Today, D’Youville features an urban, growing campus community of 3,000 students and offers more than 50 majors in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies including advanced certificates and accelerated learning programs. Featuring degrees in healthcare, business, and the liberal arts, D’Youville encourages students to balance their learning with activities that integrate community service with coursework. D’Youville’s proud graduates have the academic strengths necessary for careers that make a difference and the skills to be leaders for the world. All job offers are contingent upon legal authorization to be employed in NYS as determined by NYS DOL. To learn more about D’Youville, please visit http://www.dyu.edu