Associate Director for Student Leadership
Duke University, located in Durham, North Carolina, is a leading research university with over 15,000 students and 40,000 employees. As the Associate Director for Student Leadership, you will play a transformative role in helping students discover their purpose, develop their leadership identity, and build meaningful connections through Duke True North Leadership, the university's signature framework for authentic leadership development.
About the Role
In this highly visible leadership role, you will shape university-wide initiatives, strengthen strategic partnerships, and advance opportunities that foster student growth, engagement, and belonging. Your work will integrate leadership learning throughout residential life, academic engagement, traditions, and co-curricular experiences, helping students develop the skills and self-awareness needed to make a lasting impact.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Program Innovation
- Champion the strategic vision, implementation, assessment, and continuous enhancement of Duke True North Leadership.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive leadership curriculum focused on authentic leadership, ethical decision-making, self-reflection, purpose, and lifelong growth.
- Establish programmatic standards and educational practices that support leadership development across open-access, cohort-based, identity-based, residential, and co-curricular experiences.
- Utilize assessment data, student learning outcomes, and emerging research to strengthen program effectiveness and student impact.
- Serve as a campus leader and ambassador for Duke True North Leadership, promoting a shared understanding of leadership development across the University.
- Curriculum Design & Educational Excellence
- Design, implement, and assess innovative leadership programs, workshops, institutes, and signature experiences.
- Create meaningful opportunities that encourage reflection, identity exploration, ethical leadership, and community engagement.
- Mentor and advise student leadership fellows, student program leaders, and peer educators.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to design integrated leadership learning experiences that bridge curricular and co-curricular learning.
- Develop educational resources, facilitation guides, assessment tools, and reflective practices that support leadership education across Duke.
- Expand leadership educator development opportunities to increase the University's capacity to support student growth and success.
- Campus Partnerships & Student Engagement
- Build and sustain strategic partnerships with Undergraduate Education, faculty, academic departments, Athletics, and campus stakeholders.
- Advance the QuadEx vision by connecting residential learning, leadership development, student involvement, traditions, and academic engagement.
- Develop opportunities that empower students to co-create and lead campus traditions and signature experiences.
- Serve as a leadership consultant and trusted advisor to student organizations, governing bodies, and university departments.
- Guide student leaders in organizational development, governance, strategic planning, collaboration, and effective leadership practices.
- Support large-scale leadership initiatives and student engagement programs, including experiential and tradition-based experiences.
- Grant Stewardship & Team Leadership
- Provide strategic stewardship of the George Family Foundation investment supporting Duke True North Leadership.
- Align grant objectives with institutional priorities, student learning outcomes, assessment efforts, and long-term sustainability goals.
- Manage program budgets and resources that support leadership initiatives and student success.
- Prepare reports, presentations, and assessment materials that demonstrate program effectiveness and measurable impact.
- Supervise, develop, and mentor graduate assistants, interns, and student staff.
- Monitor emerging trends and best practices in student leadership development and higher education.
- Additional Responsibilities
- Contribute to divisional initiatives, committee service, collaborative projects, and other duties that support departmental and institutional success.
Requirements
- Master's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Four years of experience in personnel, college or university administration, or a related field to acquire skills necessary for program management, advising, and general administrative support.
Qualifications
- Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Leadership Studies, or a related discipline.
- Experience supporting student organizations, governance structures, leadership programs, fraternity and sorority life, or student engagement initiatives.
- Experience supervising professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees.
- Experience designing, implementing, and assessing leadership development programs.
- Preferred Skills & Competencies
- Knowledge of contemporary leadership theories, leadership education frameworks, and high-impact educational practices.
- Strong understanding of program development, student engagement, and co-curricular learning.
- Experience utilizing assessment and learning outcomes to drive program improvement.
- Effective relationship-building, facilitation, communication, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to navigate complex partnerships, strategic initiatives, and organizational priorities.
Benefits
Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more about Duke's benefits.
Pay
Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $61,026.00 to USD $90,515.00. Factors considered when extending an offer include (but are not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations.