Overview
The Office of the Dean of Student Affairs supports dynamic co-curricular learning and engagement for all undergraduate and graduate students within the School of Arts & Science, the School of Engineering at Tufts and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA at Tufts).  The department partners closely with colleagues across Division of Student Affairs on a wide variety of campus programs and initiatives.  As a central resource that supports the safety, dynamic engagement and wellbeing of all Tufts AS&E students, the Student Affairs office at SMFA will coordinate communication between campus constituencies and departments; support programs and activities to advance student learning; facilitate the coordinated support of individual students, and; work cooperatively with members of the faculty and the colleges’ senior leadership team to ensure the successful achievement of institutional and divisional goals, vision, and values.

What You'll Do
The Associate Dean of Student Affairs provides overall direction and leadership at a strategic and policy planning level to the graduate and undergraduate student experience at the Tufts SMFA campus. As a visible and engaged member of the SMFA community, leads the student affairs staff to ensure an immersive and positive experience for all students. Responsible for developing the focus of programmatic efforts aimed at the student community including Orientation and 1st Year Student programs, co-curricular programming, and other initiatives. Partners with other staff and offices in working with students in distress and crisis management.

The Associate Dean of Student Affairs oversees several operational functions that reside in the SMFA Student Affairs staff. Works closely with Academic Advising, Student Accessibility Services, Residential Life, Facilities, Dining, Transportation and other campus partners to enhance the holistic student experience at the SMFA and supports broader efforts in the Division of Student Affairs.  This is a hybrid position.  This position will work in person on campus for at least half the work week during the fall and spring semesters while classes are in session, with more flexibility for remote work over the summer and during school breaks. There are periods of time and events in which in-person participation is required, and may require availability outside of regularly scheduled hours for emergency response.

What We're Looking For
Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired through completion of a Master’s degree in higher education, college student development, counseling, psychology, or another closely related discipline, or the international equivalent
• At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, including at least four years of high impact contribution in student activities, the dean’s office, or equivalent
• Extensive experience in building co-curricular experiences and opportunities in student activities; experience managing highly complex conduct issues with discretion and consistency
• Current knowledge of laws, trends, and practices related to law and mental health in the student affairs environment, and experience applying them to the student intervention environment
• Experience creating, analyzing, and interpreting policy
• Experience successfully managing major student crises
• Demonstrated success in starting up and implementing innovative programs and generating community buy in for initiatives
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Highly advanced helping skills (e.g., active and reflective listening, facilitated reflection, appropriate confrontation, recognition of mental health concerns requiring referral, suicide prevention and intervention, etc.), and experience providing case management to students in distress
• Proven ability to shape outcomes successfully in a cross-functional, fast-paced environment
• Integrity, forthrightness, and fair-mindedness are characteristics essential to success in this position
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to build strong relationships with members of diverse constituencies, and a successful track record of collaboration in achieving objectives
• Experience working effectively with a wide range of diverse faculty, staff, and students
• Ability to utilize technology in the delivery of student programs
• Personal computer, time management, and strong organizational skills

Preferred Qualifcations:

• Active engagement in relevant professional organizations
• Experience working in student affairs at an art school is strongly preferred
• Understanding of the intersection of a liberal arts ethos and the values espoused in the arts education field
• Experience successfully generating and sustaining organizational change