Director of Academic Administration and Student Services

Director Of Academic Administration And Student Services

Are you an organized, collaborative leader who enjoys helping academic programs and students thrive? Do you excel at navigating complex processes, building strong relationships, and finding thoughtful solutions in a busy university environment? The University of Southern Maine invites you to bring your expertise to the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

We are seeking a student-centered Director of Academic Administration and Student Services to manage the day-to-day operations of the College Dean's Office. Working closely with the Dean, academic departments, faculty, staff, and student support teams, you will coordinate essential academic processes, help resolve student-related matters, and strengthen the systems that support teaching and learning. This role calls for independent judgment, discretion, strong communication, and an ability to balance competing priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing academic administrative operations, policies, procedures, course scheduling coordination, and catalog updates.
• Coordinating and tracking curriculum proposals, academic reviews, special projects, and new initiatives.
• Overseeing Polymath Pathways coordination, including curricular, scheduling, and student-support needs.
• Managing graduation certifications, academic actions, student appeals, and other matters requiring Dean's Office review.
• Providing academic approvals for standardized forms, including program and grade changes and course withdrawals.
• Responding to student questions and concerns and collaborating with advising, registration, and academic departments.
• Working with the Dean and Associate Deans to support undeclared students in exploring and declaring majors.
• Compiling reports and analyzing enrollment and academic data using Maine Street and other University systems to support planning.
• Coordinating Dean's Office communications, events, meetings, records, and operational logistics.
• Improving administrative workflows, supporting budget and scholarship account tracking, and supervising assigned staff or student workers as needed.

Pay and Benefits

This is a full-time, in-person position based on our Portland Campus. This position offers an annual salary of $58,000.00. Candidates must reside within a 90-minute commutable distance from the USM campuses. This requirement is essential for the ability to participate in supporting and building upon the university culture of "student focused every day" and allows for regular participation in on-campus activities, meetings, and fulfills the responsibilities of the role effectively.

The University of Southern Maine offers highly competitive benefits for full-time and eligible part-time employees that includes (but is not limited to):

• 13 paid holidays plus earned vacation time and sick time.
• Health, dental and vision insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance.
• A tuition waiver program for employees and their spouse or dependent child(ren).
• A 403(b)-retirement plan.
• Free access to the METRO system, including the Husky Line with service between our Portland and Gorham campuses.

See the Benefits Information Summary for details.

About the University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of…