Associate Director, Student Services

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, some nights or weekends as needed. This role in on-site/hybrid per University policy. Occasional in-/out-of-state travel.

The regional model for academic advising and career coaching provides a collaborative structure for advisors and career coaches to support students across multiple programs, a commitment to ongoing professional development, and a supportive leadership team dedicated to student success. This model also supports consistency, quality, and integration of academic advising and career coaching within each region and across the campus. There are three regions, each led by a Senior Director.

Region A includes the Colleges and Schools of the Liberal Arts and Sciences (Humanities, Science, and Social and Behavioral Science). Region B includes the David Eccles School of Business and the Price College of Engineering. Region C includes the Colleges of Architecture & Planning, Education, Fine Arts, Health, Nursing, and Social Work, the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students, and the Medical Laboratory Sciences program in the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.

The associate director positions carry no primary major advising caseload. However, they may need to take on a temporary caseload as necessary according to regional needs. Their primary responsibility is the supervision and professional development of front-line advising staff. They implement policies, programs, and financial objectives for their assigned regions in relation to academic advising and integration with career coaching. They ensure continuity and quality services between academic advisors and students.

1. Develops and implements customer service, human resources and financial objectives for assigned departments consistent with the University’s goals and objectives.
2. Manages departments’ budgets, estimates budgetary requirements for special projects and oversees purchases and inventory.
3. Implements and administers new and existing department programs and services to internal and external customers. Evaluates program effectiveness. May carry out and implement logistic plans and procedures to ensure that internal university and external entities’ needs are met.
4. Assumes authority and performs functions of the department director in his/her absence.
5. Participates in the development and interpretation of department polices to ensure compliance with the University’s policies and regulatory requirements. May authorize exceptions to department policy and procedures related to assigned departments. Ensures compliance with Federal and state regulations.
6. Establishes internal objectives and implements procedures to meet goals. Assists in setting department short and long-term goals.
7. Oversees department human resources management including recruitment, performance evaluations and retention of staff.
8. Ensures customer satisfaction by analyzing customer complaints, concerns and suggestions. Provides appropriate follow through to ensure quality customer service.
9. Facilitates cooperative and collaborative relationships with the community and other institutions.
10. Authorizes the purchase and implementation of new technology, resources and equipment.
11. Serves as part of the department management team.

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, a related area, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Six years of progressively more responsible management experience; and demonstrated leadership, human relations and effective communication skills also required.

Master’s degree in Business Administration or related area preferred.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.


This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.


The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.


Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.


Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.


To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.




Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu


https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.


As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.