The Assistant Director for Student Services reports to the Director, is a full-time position and is entirely dedicated to overseeing the life of S.U. students outside of their academic pursuits. This includes collaborating closely with other SUF Assistant Directors, interfacing with Home Campus and supervising Student Life, Housing and Health & Wellness areas and the Emergency team.
The incumbent will provide strategic guidance and actionable recommendations to the Director, ensuring the implementation of best practices across the Student Services Team. The ADSS will ensure that SU standards and vision are maintained with special attention to safety, security, well-being, diversity, equity, inclusivity, accessibility, and sense of belonging. The role will also work toward creating a positive, collegial, and encouraging working environment that nourishes creativity and impacts positively on the students’ experience.
More specifically:
Student Service Team
In collaboration with HR:
- Interview and select new members of team and draft Positions Descriptions when needed.
- Manage the Student Service team. Coordinate onboarding and offboarding, professional trainings, provide feedback and make recommendations re contracts.
- Coordinate shifts and replacements when needed.
- Coordinate Orientation assistants.
Housing
- Work with Budget and operations units to manage housing contracts.
- Supervise or directly manage communication with students’ parents regarding housing when/if needed.
- Implement protocols and ensure all housing requirements are up to standards.
Student Life
- Supervise all Orientation activities.
- Oversee all communications to students in consultation with SUF Director and Home Campus.
- Oversee all Extracurricular Student Activities and Events and ensure they align with SUF mission and vision.
- Oversee disciplinary/probation to students and meeting with them to discuss related incidents.
- Work closely with SUA Florence advisor re incoming, perspective and/or students and their parents.
- Work closely with AD for Academic Students’ Success to ensure best possible learning experience for students.
- Read program evaluations and provide actionable plans or recommendations when needed.
- Collect relevant data including quarterly Crime Reports and Italian Ministry of Education reports.
Emergencies
- Debrief Director and relevant parties on all student related emergencies.
- Monitor and collect data on emergencies and provide recommendations. Implement best practices.
Qualifications, Experience and Skillset
- Italian citizen or legal work permit for Italy.
- Experience living, working, or studying abroad.
- Experience in managing a team.
- Ability to work in and contribute to an inclusive and team-oriented environment.
- Knowledge of study abroad programs, international education and the U.S. academic system preferred.
- Experience working with groups of US students.
- Excellent oral and written Italian and English language skills.
- Exceptional, demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapting to high-pressure temporary peaks in workload.
- Previous experience in a similar role preferred.
- B.A. required; M.A. preferred.