Dean of Student Life
Dean of Student Life
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$ 130000 - 158000
1 Vacancy
Job Description
For more than 150 years the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the worlds most influential artists designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAICs undergraduate graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the worldas seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner David Sedaris Elizabeth Murray Richard Hunt Georgia OKeeffe Cynthia Rowley Nick Cave and LeRoy Neiman.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Dean of Student Life (DSL) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) serves as a senior leader within Student Affairs overseeing a comprehensive portfolio that shapes the co-curricular student experience. This role provides strategic direction for:
- Campus Life
- Residence Life
- Student Support Services
- Crisis Response
- Dining Service Operations
- Deans on Call support system
The DSL provides oversight of a robust residential program housing over 1000 students ensures effective student conduct processes and compliance with institutional policies and laws and leads efforts to enhance facilities and campus services including dining service operations and the Neiman Center. Additionally the role directs significant budgetary resources while advancing marketing and communication strategies to strengthen the Student Life identity and engagement with students families and the broader community. Ensures that Student Lifes priorities align with OSA and SAIC overall priorities and goals.
Beyond daily operations the Dean serves as a critical partner to the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs as the number two in Student Affairs stepping in to lead the division when needed and helping set long-term goals and priorities. The position is deeply collaborative working across academic and administrative departments liaising with legal counsel and security on risk management and partnering with advancement to support parent and family initiatives. Through these efforts the DSL fosters a dynamic inclusive and supportive environment that enriches student life and contributes to the artistic and personal growth of SAICs diverse student body.
Please click on the links below to view our competitive comprehensive benefits package:
- Hiring Range: $130000 - $158000
- Benefits
- PTO Overview
- Job Classification: Full Time Salaried Staff
- Grade Level: 11
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Supervision
Recruit develop and lead the Associate Dean of Residence Life Associate Dean of Campus Life and Director of Student doing so fostering a high-performing team that advances strategic priorities across Residence Life Campus Life and Student Support areas. Provide indirect oversight and mentorship to approximately 13 professional staff and more than 100 student employees ensuring effective onboarding training and performance management. Establish a culture of collaboration accountability and continuous improvement to deliver exceptional student-centered programs and services.
2. Residence Life
Supervise the Associate Dean for Residence Life Support a comprehensive residence life program that serves over 1000 students across two residence halls and a leased property creating vibrant supportive living environments where students can grow both personally and artistically. Provide strategic leadership in occupancy management facilities stewardship capital improvements staff development and marketing ensuring our residential communities are welcoming well-maintained and enriching. Collaborate closely with the Associate Dean for Residence Life to maximize occupancy and revenue throughout the academic year and summer months while also proactively identifying alternative housing solutions that support our expanding and diverse student community.
3. Campus Life
Supervise the Associate Dean for Campus Life in delivering a robust portfolio of co-curricular programs student organizations and engagement opportunities that foster artistic and personal growth. Lead efforts to assess student interests and needs enhance existing offerings and ensure campus life policies and practices cultivate a vibrant inclusive community. Oversee the development and implementation of large-scale programs such as New Student Welcome Week Commencement and the two annual Art Sales. These signature events and co-curricular experiences are designed to build connection tradition and belonging. Ongoing evaluation and student feedback will inform program innovation and continuous improvement.
4. Student Support
Supervise the Director of Student Support providing leadership and strategic guidance in addressing student well-being behavior and case management. Oversee the assessment documentation and resolution of student concerns ensuring appropriate follow-up and coordination with academic and administrative partners. Guide the implementation of best practices in early intervention student support planning and crisis response. Oversee and participate in the Schools Student Support/Student Concerns team a multidisciplinary group responsible for identifying and evaluating students of concern assessing potential threats and developing coordinated support strategies to promote safety and student success. Ensure all efforts are student-centered equitable and aligned with institutional policies while maintaining robust systems for case tracking data analysis and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
5. Campus Culture
Champions efforts to create a positive campus culture in which all students can thrive.
6. Crisis Management/Deans on Call
Provide overarching leadership for the institutions crisis response efforts ensuring a coordinated compassionate and effective approach to managing student crises of all types and severity both on- and off-campus. Serve as the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) lead on the Schools Institutional Assessment Team and act as an advisor on both student support and student conduct matters. Serve as a backup to the Deans on Call team providing 24/7 support to staff and guiding the response to the most serious student emergencies. Liaise with key campus partners including the Office of General Counsel Counseling Services and Academic Division Chairs. Chair the weekly Student Support Group meetings to coordinate cross-departmental interventions and monitor student well-being. Work with parents and family members when appropriate to provide timely support and guidance. Develop and maintain crisis response protocols and lead the Schools Threat Assessment Team. Oversee the Deans on Call program including ongoing training protocol development and scheduling to ensure continuous year-round coverage and preparedness.
7. Student Conduct
Provide leadership and oversight for the student conduct process supporting Associate Deans of Student Affairs and Residence Life staff in the consistent and equitable implementation of SAICs conduct procedures. Serve as a conduct officer for upper-level cases and consult with the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs as needed. Collaborate with Campus Security to facilitate investigations of alleged misconduct and with the Office of General Counsel to assess and mitigate legal or institutional risk. Oversee administrative conduct meetings and serve as the Conduct Board Advisor when designated. Lead the implementation and ongoing management of a centralized student conduct and concern tracking system to enhance coordination documentation and responsiveness. Develop and refine workflows to ensure efficient handling of student behavior concerns and policy violations. Serve as a liaison to the Title IX Office ensuring alignment between conduct processes and Title IX-related procedures.
8. Risk Management/Policies Development and Compliance
Provide strategic leadership in policy development compliance and risk management across all areas of student life to ensure alignment with institutional values academic standards and legal requirements. Lead the Schools annual revision of the Student Handbook and Student Rights and Responsibilities governing the conduct of all degree-seeking students. Collaborate with the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs and Associate Deans to continuously review and implement policies related to student conduct and engagement. Liaise with academic leadership and faculty to evaluate and revise academic policies that support student success and remove unnecessary barriers to achievement. Work closely with administrative and academic leaders to identify institutional policies that may hinder the student experience and lead efforts to improve them.
Oversee OSAs compliance with local state and federal regulations including the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) FERPA Constitution Day and Voter Registration requirements. Proactively assess and mitigate risks related to student conduct residence life co-curricular programs and campus events. Partner with the Office of General Counsel Campus Security and other stakeholders to create clear equitable and legally sound policies and provide ongoing training for staff and faculty. Serve as a key resource in responding to student incidents guiding resolution processes and ensuring institutional accountability. Responsible for the coordination and submission of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Biennial Review to maintain federal compliance.
9. Budget Management
Provide strategic oversight for a complex portfolio of budgets supporting student life operations ensuring strong financial stewardship and alignment with institutional goals. Manage seven distinct operating and capital budgets with annual expenses exceeding $1.1 million plus salaries and revenues of approximately $16.4 million. This includes oversight of programmatic budgets as well as staff salaries and operational expenses. Work closely with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Residence Life and Finance Office to monitor occupancy trends forecast revenue and respond to fluctuations in real time. Apply sound budget management practices to inform planning optimize resource allocation and ensure compliance with institutional financial protocols.
10. Dining Services
Provide oversight and strategic direction for campus dining services in partnership with Handcut Foods ensuring high-quality student-centered meal experiences that reflect SAICs values of creativity wellness and sustainability. Serve as the primary liaison between the institution and Handcut Foods collaborating on menu development service enhancements and operational improvements. Monitor vendor performance review contracts and assess student satisfaction through regular feedback mechanisms. Work closely with student affairs staff financial office and campus partners to ensure dining services meet the evolving needs of SAICs diverse student population including those with dietary restrictions or cultural food preferences. Support marketing and communication efforts to increase awareness and engagement with dining programs across campus.
11. Parent Programs
Recognizing the vital role families play in student success collaborate with the Associate Dean of Campus Life to lead and enhance parent and family engagement efforts at SAIC. Oversee key initiatives such as Parent Orientation and Family Weekend and develop a comprehensive strategy to strengthen communication and support for the families of current and prospective students. Partner with staff and faculty across the institution to ensure timely consistent and helpful outreach. Work closely with the Office of Advancement to align parent initiatives with broader institutional goals and deepen family involvement in the SAIC community.
12. Student Complaint Process
Lead the Schools student complaint process to ensure timely transparent and effective resolution of student concerns. Develop and maintain a centralized complaint form and intake process to streamline reporting and tracking. Serve as the initial point of contact for complaints determining appropriate next steps and referring matters to the relevant campus offices or personnel as needed. Monitor and manage the overall workflow to ensure responses are consistent with institutional values and policies. Track trends assess outcomes and generate data-informed reports to identify recurring issues and inform continuous improvement. Lead a cross-functional committee of campus leaders to regularly review complaint data and determine whether policy or procedural changes are warranted. Use findings to recommend improvements that enhance the student experience and promote institutional accountability.
13. Technology
Provide leadership for the ongoing management and strategic use of student affairs technologies to enhance service delivery data tracking and student engagement. Oversee systems such as Symplicity for conduct care reporting and student support coordination ensuring efficient workflows and staff training. Partner with CRIT to lead the selection and implementation process for new housing software aligning functionality with the needs of Residence Life and other stakeholders. Liaise with external vendors such as Vector Solutions and other technology partners to support compliance training education modules and data reporting. Ensure systems are student-centered user-friendly and effectively integrated into broader institutional platforms to promote informed decision-making and streamlined support.
14. Facilities
Provide strategic leadership and oversight for student-centered facilities including residence halls the Neiman Center and campus lounge and common areas. Work with IRFM to manage and maintain these spaces so they remain safe welcoming and supportive of student life. Collaborate with Campus Security and other partners to address safety accessibility and capital improvement needs. Liaise with food service vendors to support high-quality cost-effective dining options within shared spaces. Use proactive planning regular assessment and student feedback to guide improvements that reflect the evolving needs of the SAIC community.
15. Vice President Support
Provide high-level support to the Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs in advancing divisional priorities managing operations and representing the Office of Student Affairs across campus. Serve as a key advisor and thought partner on student-related matters institutional initiatives and crisis response. Act as the primary delegate in the Vice Presidents absence including serving as the senior administrator on call when they are out of town. Assist with strategic planning cross-departmental coordination and communication to ensure continuity and effectiveness in divisional leadership.
16. Other Duties as Assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Education: Masters degree in higher education administration student affairs counseling or a related field required;
- Relevant Experience: Minimum of 810 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs or student life with demonstrated leadership in areas such as residence life student support crisis management and co-curricular programming. Significant experience supervising professional staff managing complex budgets and leading institutional programs. Familiarity with student conduct risk management policy development and compliance with federal and state regulations (e.g. FERPA HEOA Title IX). Experience in a creative or arts-focused educational environment preferred.
- Skills: Strong leadership strategic planning and organizational skills. Demonstrated ability to create inclusive student-centered environments and lead initiatives that promote equity and student success. Excellent communication collaboration and interpersonal skills. Skilled in crisis response staff development assessment and cross-functional team leadership. Proficient in student affairs technologies and case management platforms (e.g. Symplicity Vector). Ability to interpret and apply institutional policies and legal requirements while fostering holistic student development and well-being.
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We fully comply with applicable federal and state disability laws and provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. We recruit hire and promote qualified individuals solely on the basis of their skills qualifications and experience. If you require reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please contact Human Resources at
Employment Type
Full-Time
