Job Listing

Assistant Vice President & Dean of Students

Division of Student Affairs

The Assistant Vice President & Dean of Students (AVPDOS) serves Canisius University as a leader in the division of Student Affairs. The AVPDOS will collaborate closely with the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) and have operational responsibilities, including overseeing campus activities and the residential experience. They are charged with helping design strategies to support student success and well-being. The AVPDOS will serve as an advocate for Students at Canisius University and will be responsible for:

• The AVPDOS supervises director-level staff administering complex, student-oriented service units in the student life cluster, which includes residence life, housing, student conduct, campus activities, leadership development, and campus event functions.
• Collaboratively with their direct reports, the AVPDOS will foster and maintain a culture of assessment, ensuring division and university leadership are equipped with appropriate data for quarterly board meetings, monthly Student Affairs Leadership meetings, and other decision and discussion points dictated by the academic calendar.
• Provide guidance, expertise, and management on matters related to the student code of conduct, student rights and responsibilities, the process of adjudication, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Engages in unit, division, and university strategic planning efforts and participates in programs and processes intended to improve student support and the student experience; represents student safety and wellness needs to university leaders and stakeholders.
• Works closely with students and direct service providers to identify needs and implement potential solutions to individual and community-level issues.
• Collaborate with the VPSA and other divisional leaders to establish and implement short- and long-range goals, objectives, policies, budgets, and operating procedures.
• Ensures services offered are effective, cohesive, and consistent with the needs and objectives of the diverse student population.
• Develops critical collaborative relationships with campus administrative areas, faculty, and campus and community leaders to enhance planning and implementing strategic initiatives, resolve issues, and support students and the community when incidents and urgent matters arise.
• Collaborate with the Care Manager to provide direction, intervention, and prevention for students in need, including collaborating with mental health staff, providing student advocacy, and working with staff and students affected by crisis; identify and implement interventions in the best interest of students and the university community.
• Engages with empirical research and established best practices to collaborate on designing and advancing a high-quality and equitable student experience at the university.
• Provide training and information to students, faculty, staff, parents, and external stakeholders regarding student well-being, resources, rights, responsibilities, and overall experience.
• Recommends and participates in developing university policies and procedures; serves on university planning and policy-making committees.
• Lead divisional efforts to plan and deliver Graduate Assistant Training annually.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will possess:

• A master's degree, preferably in higher education administration or a related field
• A demonstrated track record of success serving in a leadership capacity in one or more functional areas of student life. The student life cluster includes residence life, housing, student conduct, campus activities, leadership development, and campus event functions.
• Experience training and supervising professional staff.
• Skill and sensitivity in interacting with individuals from other cultures.
• Excellent leadership skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience designing and executing assessments of programs and/or services.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with student affairs literature and best practices.
• Familiarity with computer applications and ease and comfort with technology.

The Office of Human Resources at Canisius University utilizes an online recruitment management system.

Individuals who need reasonable accommodations under the ADA in order to participate in the search process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (716) 888-2240.

To apply, go to https://www.canisius.edu/about-canisius/employment-canisius. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please include your cover letter and resume with your application. 

Canisius University, a Catholic and Jesuit University, has as its foundation the fundamental values of academic excellence, leadership, faith and social justice.  Canisius is committed to educating and preparing persons to become leaders in their professions and their communities, and in service to humanity. The University is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff and students.                

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary: $80,000.00 to $90,000.00 per year

Please note that the compensation information is a good faith estimate of the base pay for this position. The selected candidate’s actual base pay will be based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors including experience.  Information about the total compensation package for this position will be provided during the interview process.

This is a full-time, salaried position. Benefits are available the first of the month after the full-time employee’s date of hire and include – health, dental and vision insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, and retirement plan enrollment is available to full-time employees with contribution from the University after one year. Paid holidays, vacation, personal leave and sick leave.  Tuition benefits are also available for full-time employees and their qualified dependents.