Director of Student and Academic Services

Position Summary

The Director of Student and Academic Services provides strategic leadership and operational management of all student-facing programs and academic services for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Operating with significant autonomy, you will identify and resolve complex student issues, interpret and implement Stanford and departmental policies, and manage the Student Services Office, including direct supervision of an Assistant Director and Administrative Associate.

Academic Advising and Degree Progress

• Provide comprehensive academic advising and degree progress oversight for all students, including undergraduate, master's, coterminal, and doctoral students, with a primary focus on the Ph.D. program.
• Conduct degree audits, review exception requests, and manage all degree milestones.
• Partner with department leaders and the School of Engineering Dean's office to resolve academic progress issues.
• Provide individualized academic counseling and support to students navigating academic challenges.
• Manage specialized student and trainee categories such as the Honors Cooperative Program and appointment of postdoctoral scholars.

Graduate Program Administration

• Oversee the complete lifecycle of graduate student programs, including leading the admissions process and organizing admitted students' visit days.
• Organize and facilitate full-day orientation sessions for new cohorts each year.
• Budget and process graduate student aid, including assistantship appointments and fellowship awards.
• Track and report aid entries by quarterly deadlines and ensure compliance with university policies for graduate student employment.
• Plan and execute the department's commencement ceremony, including managing catering and event services orders, coordinating audiovisual staff, and facilitating student and family participation.

Student Support and Campus Partnerships

• Serve as the primary resource and liaison connecting students to central university services including financial aid, registration, international student services, career counseling, and community standards.
• Develop and implement initiatives to enhance student success, retention, and sense of belonging.
• Plan and execute department programming alongside student organizations throughout the year.

Curriculum Planning and Academic Operations

• Partner with the Department Chair for curriculum planning, oversight of teaching loads, and TA allocations.
• Offer input on course offerings based on enrollment trends, analysis of course demand patterns, and provide data-driven recommendations for curriculum adjustments.
• Oversight of course scheduling and maintaining departmental curriculum in university systems and publications.

Leadership

• Provide operational leadership to continuously improve processes and workflows related to degree progress, financial aid, curriculum, and departmental programs.
• Serve on department and university committees as needed.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience with Stanford systems (Axess, GFS, PeopleSoft, CourseDog, MAP) or similar university platforms.
• Advanced computer skills, including experience with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience coordinating events, conferences, or seminars, with attention to detail and logistics.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to partner effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Strong communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Discretion in handling confidential personnel and academic matters.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently sit, perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Occasionally stand, walk, twist, use fine manipulation, grasp, use a telephone, write by hand, sort and file paperwork, lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Manage an area or program in student services, analyze effectiveness, and make final decisions on program eligibility.
• Engage in critical analysis and evaluation of student and program concerns to resolve substantial issues which may span multiple areas, using advanced technical and professional knowledge.
• Develop and implement programming (virtual, in-person), make strategic recommendations for future programs.
• Interpret and implement university policy related to academic policies; oversee the implementation of policies and practices for a student population or school.
• Analyze and develop report requirements, portals, and student facing communications.
• Evaluate and determine recommendations on technology resources, negotiate with resources options and vendors.
• Manage outreach programs, relationships with external community and university liaisons.
• Provide direct advice to students on a broad range of complex issues including, but not limited to, academic progress, academic program policies, career plans, accessibility, community standards, etc., in order to assist them in making appropriate choices and decisions.
• Apprise students of research, fellowship and scholarship opportunities, make recommendations and may award grants.
• May contribute to preparing and submitting training grants.
• May assist in development efforts to support donor relations, stewardship annual reporting.
• Provide consulting advice to internal and external organizations; act as subject matter expert in a specialized field.
• Oversee key processes, including contribution and direction on policy and program content.
• Manage financial processes and development of budgets.
• May lead teams and projects that impact a significant unit of the university.
• May direct the work of other staff; contribute to development of staff training programs.

Minimum Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills to review and analyze complex information.
• Advanced computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Advanced customer service skills.
• Relevant computer systems/technology experience.
• Understanding of financial transactions.
• Ability to ensure and apply compliance with legal, financial, and university policies and external regulations.