Senior Associate Director, Computer Science PhD Program

The USC Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science (C.S.) seeks to recruit a SeniorAssociate Director of Student Services of PhD Advising (Student Services Advisor III) to join its outstanding team. The Department of Computer Science has a significant and dynamic student population home to more than 5,700 students. The doctoral program in Computer Science is one of the largest at the university with over 400 doctoral students. Interested candidates should prepare to support highly motivated students with care and enthusiasm.

The SeniorAssociate Director of Student Services of PhD Advising will oversee all services for Ph.D. students and support other populations and programs as assigned. The Senior Associate Director will specialize in the Ph.D. population and oversee an Assistant Director. This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Student Affairs at Computer Science. It works closely with all members of the C.S. advisement team, as well as with the Department Chair, Associate Chair of PhD, Senior Business Officer, and the Viterbi Admissions and Student Engagement Office (VASE).

The Ideal candidate for this position is an agile, adaptable student affairs professional dedicated to building a culture of service and support for a diverse and highly accomplished student body. Viterbi expects advisors to demonstrate impeccable ethics and collegiality, promote an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and upholds the USC Code of Ethics principles.

Leadership & Strategy (30%)

• Work closely with departmental and School-wide leadership to deliver strategic alignment, implement program goals, and integrate methodologies with the Viterbi School's broader academic and business plans.
• Manage a subordinate Student Service staff member that supports each student. Indirectly manage student workers, volunteers, and interns. Assess performance and provide feedback, counseling, or corrective action, as needed, to ensure high team productivity and performance.
• Drive team operational strategies and execution of services for the Ph.D. student population.
• Maintain a leadership role on departmental and university committees to stay well-informed on issues impacting student services and to ensure that programs are well-represented.
• Serve as the primary subject matter expert/resource for information regarding doctoral programs; stay informed of emerging trends in student services and look for opportunities to address these trends in program goals.

Student Service Administration (40%)

• Manage full-service academic advisement and counseling services for the Ph.D. student population. Drive operational innovation to ensure efficient delivery of best practices across all service areas. Harness new technologies and practices to improve service delivery. Participate in strategic planning and operationalization.
• Assist with executing the Ph.D. admissions process, including the annual Visit Day.
• Execute specific student services directly and via subordinate team:

o Provide academic counseling for C.S. Ph.D. students. Develop specialized areas of expertise as assigned.

o Advise on curriculum, course and degree requirements, transfer credit evaluations, and graduation counseling and clearance. Monitor student progress and update online student resources as necessary.

o Work in partnership with VASE to evaluate complex problems – whether academic, administrative, or personal – and refer students to appropriate offices for assistance. Liaise with other offices on behalf of students to facilitate problem resolution. Provide mental health referrals for students in distress.

o Provide administrative support for departmental course clearance and registration—process correction of grades and course completion requests.

o Maintain and compile statistical data. Prepare reports for internal and external use.

o Prepare, submit, and monitor the submission of materials for curriculum proposals.

• Oversee communications regarding student programs; plan and execute other outreach strategies to make students and other constituencies aware of services. Support CS-wide communications strategy; monitor the development of written materials and staff presentation guides to ensure consistency in delivering information regarding student programs. Support communications with faculty, staff, and administrators to facilitate the attainment of program objectives. Monitor progress and adjust plans or targets as needed.
• Attend departmental, school, and university meetings relevant to student services. Maintain currency on all policy and procedural changes. Interact with other university departments and with external organizations as required to coordinate and negotiate service, including but not limited to the Graduate School, Classroom Scheduling, Grades Dept, Degree Progress, Articulation, Registration, Office of Campus Wellness and Crisis Intervention, VASE, and Academic Review as it pertains to academic affairs.
• Manage Progress Reviews of all Ph.D. students in the fall and spring semesters.  The Ph.D. students report their progress and faculty advisors comment on student activity to date.  The Ph.D. Advisor submits the faculty advisor recommendations. Review of recommendations and interface with the faculty advisor, the Associate Chair - PhD, the Dean's office, and the Graduate School based on student performance.

Financial and Academic Course Personnel Management (30%)

• Oversee all funding for Ph.D. students based on the faculty advisor and recommendation by the Dean's office for all cohorts; manage and enter this data in the PhD funding tracker tool. Solicit all faculty advisors for funding instructions prior to each semester and manage in the PhD funding tracker.
• Manage the fellowship coordination, applications, and activation of numerous Viterbi, Graduate School, as well as private fellowships throughout the academic year.
• Oversee the Teaching Assistant (TA) assignments for over 200 employees across 100 + classes and over 200. Prepare and analyze enrollment projections to determine the number of TA allocations per class; manage the TA application and call, and notify all TA hires and Faculty of their student assignment(s).
• Work in collaboration with the payroll team to provide hiring information for all TA and Research Assistant hires.  
• Ensure timelines and practices meet the TA union requirements. Manage potential union compliance issues when interfacing with TAs and faculty.
• Prepare, run ad hoc reports, and analysis for CS payroll or the SBO related to PhD funding.

Job duties may be added or modified as needed.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the mission of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Viterbi expects staff to facilitate a culture of support and service, model civility and respectful engagement at all times, maintain the highest ethical standards, and maintain strict confidentiality across all facets of their work.

Additional Information:

These are hybrid positions at USC's University Park Campus in Los Angeles, California. The Student Services Advisor III will be expected to work onsite at least three days per week and maintain an entirely onsite presence during high-volume on-campus activity (for example, at the beginning of each semester and during Commencement week). These positions are not eligible for fully remote work.

These positions' annual base salary range is $83,490.10 - $95,049.03. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope of responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, essential skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

A complete application includes a CV/resume and a cover letter.  These documents can be uploaded as a single document.  Failure to provide all requested materials may negatively impact consideraion of your application.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education, counseling, or related field or experience.
• 5-7 years of higher education advising experience.
• Knowledge of USC's policies and programs.
• Understanding of diversity and inclusion principles.
• Proficiency in student information systems and advising tech.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience managing student funding.
• Experiencing coordinating student academic apprentice personnel (Teaching Assistants, etc.)
• Experience with student success initiatives and data analysis.
• Ability to work with a diverse student population.
• Familiarity with financial aid and career development resources.
• Commitment to student-centered support and university mission.

USC and the Viterbi School:

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," comprising the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

Education: Bachelor's Degree minimum, Master's or Doctorate preferred. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education. Work Experience: 5 years minimum, 7 preferred Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum work experience. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Directly related experience in leading the delivery of student services. Preferred -Proven ability with assessment and analysis, budget control and development, conceptualization and design, conflict resolution, counseling, creative writing and editing, curriculum development, and interpretation of policies. - Efficient communication skills and the ability to conduct interviews. - Understanding of applicable laws, policies and principles. - Proven leadership ability and the ability to network, organize and plan. - Experience with problem identification and resolution project management, public speaking, scheduling, statistical analysis and teaching and training.