Vice President for Student Life

Job no: 533481

Work type: Officer of Administration

Location: Eugene, OR

Categories: Executive/Management/Director, Student Life/Services

Department: VP Student Life Administration

Department: Office of the President

Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Compensation Band: OS-EXEC-Fiscal Year 2023-2024

FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

March 28, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

The Search Committee invites nominations, applications (a letter of interest, full curriculum vitae or resume, and the names and contact information of five or more references) or expressions of interest to be forwarded to the search firm assisting the University of Oregon (electronic submissions preferred). Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. It is preferred that all nominations and applications are submitted to the search firm by March 28, 2024.

See full application details at the Spelman and Johnson website:https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/vice-president-for-student-life/

Department Summary

The Division of Student Life supports the university's academic mission through comprehensive programs and services that promote and advance student learning and success while fostering an inclusive and vibrant campus community. Student Life includes four departments and six cross-divisional functional areas. Departments within the Division of Student Life include the Office of the Dean of Students, the Erb Memorial Union, the Department of Physical Education and Recreation, and the University Career Center. Functional areas include assessment and research, human resources, major student events, financial services, parent and family programs, and student government engagement and success.

Within these departments and functional units, the Division of Student Life provides many essential programs and services for students, including career preparation guidance and student employment opportunities; student activities; student organization and leadership opportunities, including student government, service learning, and fraternities and sororities; student conduct and community standards; diversity education and support; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender education and support; conflict resolution services; parent and family programs; nontraditional and veteran student services; substance abuse and sexual violence prevention and support programs; and student recreational and healthy campus programs and services.

Position Summary

Serving as a member of the president's executive leadership team, the vice president for student life provides strategic leadership and vision for programs, services, and opportunities that enable students to succeed in a diverse and global society; fosters a vibrant, engaging, and inclusive campus environment; and effectively manages all departments and functional areas in the Division of Student Life at the University of Oregon (UO). Departments include the Office of the Dean of Students, the Erb Memorial Union, the Department of Physical Education and Recreation, and the University Career Center, while the functional areas include assessment and research, human resources, major student events, financial services, parent and family programs, and student government engagement and success.

The Vice President for Student Life (VPSL) is responsible for the development and implementation of the Division of Student Life’s strategic plan in alignment with the institutional strategic plan. The vice president works collaboratively across divisions to advance university priorities and strategies in support of the university’s mission. The vice president works to define the role of Student Life in relation to other university divisions and establish a presence as a decisive leader capable of moving ideas forward and coordinating initiatives across the institution. The vice president represents the university in various external capacities, as both a university administrative leader and a spokesperson on Student Life issues, and serves as the central administration liaison to the recognized student government, the Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO).

The vice president manages and supervises a professional staff of approximately 225, including seven direct reports, and administers an operating budget of $45 million.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic leadership and student engagement:

• Ensure that the division’s activities enhance our students’ university experience by working collaboratively with academic leadership and other administrators to streamline the student experience, provide services that are complementary, and remove barriers to learning and engagement in campus life, including for students who live on- and off-campus, and students who attend UO Portland.

• Engage with faculty and administrators to build community, enhance experiential learning, service-learning and career preparation opportunities, and develop co-curricular programs and activities aimed at enriching mind and body, celebrating diversity, preparing students for success after college, and advancing an inclusive and stimulating campus culture where students are involved in campus and community affairs as well as global issues at large. Protect and enhance students’ physical and mental well-being through effective policies, services and programs.

• Serve as a key liaison between central administration and students, engaging with individual students on issues directly, as needed, on the president’s behalf and by serving as the administration’s liaison to the recognized student government, the Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO).

Administrative management and oversight:

• Provide leadership to ensure Student Life’s programs and services are effective, and that the division’s mission, priorities, goals and the activities of every office and functional area is supportive of the institution’s strategic direction.

• Hire, supervise, train, discipline, and manage the performance of the division's senior leadership, including associate/assistant vice presidents and department directors.

• Ensure the division’s work and goals align with best practices and with the goals and priorities of the university.

• Encourage a culture of openness and inclusivity across the division and provides training and professional development opportunities that enable employees to achieve the highest level of excellence in fulfilling their responsibilities.

• Ensure the financial health and performance of the division, working closely with the Vice President for Finance and Administration and others to plan, budget and deploy resources effectively; and with University Advancement and others to identify and raise new funds as needed.

Community relations and crisis management:

• Serve as an ambassador and spokesperson for the Division of Student Life, maintaining strong relationships with the area community, leaders, local businesses, and other members of the community in the cities in which the UO operates.

• Promote the activities of UO students in the broader community in order to enhance students’ experiences while serving the needs of the local community.

• Partners, as needed, with colleagues in University Communications, Government and Community Relations, Safety and Risk Services and the Office of the General Counsel, and with members of the Student Life team to respond to student crises and issues as they arise.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree.

• 7 years of experience with demonstrated leadership experience.

• 5 years of experience with budgeting, financial controls, and fiscal accountability.

Professional Competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices specific to the division’s work: holistic student wellbeing, career preparation, student engagement, student conduct and support services.

• Ability to interact with political and social structures internal and external to a complex institution, and to mobilize a diverse constituency around a common cause.

• Commitment to serving as a mentor and advocate for students.

• Demonstrated knowledge of current national trends, models, and best practices in college student development and success.

• Proven ability to relate effectively and engage with a wide variety of people (students, faculty, administrators, and staff) from diverse backgrounds, .

• Proven ability to develop and articulate a vision that brings diverse people/programs together.

• Commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to education.

• A strong public presence, evidenced by strong communication skills and the confidence and competence needed to communicate difficult decisions and manage crises.

• A management style that is inclusive, fosters respect, and empowers others to succeed.

• A history of decisive and innovative leadership, including managing human, financial, and physical resources oriented toward successfully carrying out organizational goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree

• Experience in student affairs division at a major university.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visithttp://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us atuocareers@uoregon.eduor 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination (http://studentlife.uoregon.edu/nondiscrimination) .

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.

Advertised: 05 Mar 2024 Pacific Standard Time

Applications close: