Assistant Vice President Administration, Student Life

Assistant Vice President for Administration, Student Life

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College / VP Area: Vice President for Student Life

Work type: Staff

Location: Newark, DE

Categories: Student Affairs & Services, Full Time

Under the direction of the Vice President for Student Life (VPSL), the Assistant Vice President for Administration (AVP) serves as a key divisional leader responsible for advancing the Division’s administrative strategy, resource alignment, and operational effectiveness. As a member of the Student Life Core Leadership Team, the AVP advises and supports the VPSL, represents the Division in institutional conversations related to finance, human resources, administrative operations, and organizational effectiveness, and helps ensure divisional priorities are supported through aligned resources, effective systems, and clear administrative frameworks.

The AVP provides vision and leadership for the Division’s administrative operating model by aligning financial planning, workforce planning, shared services, administrative systems, and operational standards with the priorities of the University and Division. The role is responsible for strengthening systems, structure, service expectations, and accountability across administrative functions in a complex, multi-unit environment.

The AVP partners closely with Core divisional leaders, the Chief of Staff, and central partners including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Facilities Services and Campus Planning, and other institutional offices to strengthen divisional operations and ensure that administrative infrastructure and resource strategy effectively support both current operations and long‑term priorities. The AVP leads through strategy, coordination, and oversight rather than direct execution of all functional operations.

• Lead the development and implementation of divisional administrative strategy, ensuring alignment between VPSL priorities and the financial, space, human capital, and operational resources required to support them
• Direct long‑range administrative planning to strengthen divisional operations through sustainable financial models, staffing structures, and administrative service delivery systems
• Steward and strengthen relationships with key campus partners in support of divisional administrative strategy, including Finance, Human Resources, Facilities Services and Campus Planning, and IT
• Partner with divisional leaders to align administrative frameworks, support models, and resource strategies with the needs of their portfolios

• Lead divisional financial planning, controls, and resource strategy, including multi‑year budgeting, forecasting, accountability measures, and advising the VPSL and divisional leadership on financial risk, operational tradeoffs, and alignment of resources with divisional priorities
• Oversee divisional coordination related to procurement, contracts, financial compliance, and administrative matters in partnership with central Finance, Auxiliary Services, and other relevant institutional offices
• Lead workforce planning, organizational design, position management, and staffing strategy across the division, and advise divisional leadership on organizational structure, talent strategy, and change management in partnership with central Human Resources
• Supervise director‑level and senior staff as assigned; foster collaboration, accountability, and innovation across administrative functions
• Design and implement shared service models and standardized administrative processes that improve coordination, consistency, and support across the division
• Lead process improvement and operational transformation initiatives to strengthen efficiency, service delivery, and organizational effectiveness
• Establish performance metrics and service expectations for administrative functions and monitor outcomes to ensure consistent, accountable, and effective service delivery
• Champion evidence‑based decision‑making and continuous improvement across administrative functions
• Develop and advance divisional administrative policies, standards, governance frameworks,…