Dartmouth College, a nationally recognized Ivy League research institution with a rich history in student success, academic excellence, and innovation seeks an Assistant Dean for Residential Life & Director of Greek Life who provides leadership, strategic thinking and commitment to the fraternity and sorority community.
About the College
Founded in 1769 by The Reverend Eleazar Wheelock, Dartmouth educates the most promising students and prepares them for a lifetime of learning and responsible leadership, through a faculty dedicated to teaching and the creation of knowledge. The College is committed to providing the best undergraduate liberal arts experience and to providing outstanding graduate programs in the Geisel School of Medicine, the School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business. Together they constitute an exceptional and rich learning environment. Dartmouth faculty and student research contributes substantially to the expansion of human understanding.
The College provides a comprehensive out-of-classroom experience, including service opportunities, engagement in the arts, and competitive athletic, recreational, and outdoor programs. Pioneering programs in computation and international education are hallmarks of the College. Dartmouth graduates are marked by an understanding of the importance of teamwork, a capacity for leadership, and their keen enjoyment of a vibrant community. Their loyalty to Dartmouth and to each other is legendary and is a sustaining quality of the College.
In celebration of its 250th anniversary, Dartmouth is developing a comprehensive strategic master plan to chart a roadmap of the College’s vision for the next thirty years and beyond. Building on a legacy of thoughtful campus planning, this new master plan will provide a framework for sustainable development and preservation within the main campus including buildings, landscape, open spaces, and infrastructure; local area real estate; the Moosilauke campus; and the Second College Grant.
Dartmouth’s student enrollment includes approximately 4,400 undergraduates as well as 2,100 graduate and professional school students. Proud to be fully need-blind in its undergraduate admissions programs, Dartmouth is committed to the principles of access and affordability and guarantees to meet 100 percent of students’ demonstrated need throughout their undergraduate careers.
About the Position
The Assistant Dean for Residential Life & Director of Greek Life is a key staff member in Dartmouth’s Division of Residential Life. The Director reports to the Associate Dean for Residential Life and supervises two professional staff members, collectively supporting all aspects of the fraternity and sorority community.
The Director will have an opportunity to create and develop the vision for the office, providing leadership, developing expectations, engaging in strategic planning; developing programs characterized by collegial engagement, inclusivity, and social responsibility; and assessing the fraternity and sorority experience in the context of a residential co-curricular institution.
The Director of Greek Life directs and administers the functioning and operation of all Greek letter organizations, Greek leadership councils, Greek honor societies, senior societies and undergraduate societies. The Director also collaborates with Greek advisors and alumni, to foster successful student engagement and leadership development within Greek Life organizations and societies and the campus community.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Responsible for overseeing and coordinating several Residential Life programs including Moving Dartmouth Forward Initiatives (Alcohol Management Program, Student Organization Accountability Program), divisional aspects of commencement and prizes.
- Develops, implements and continuously evaluates Greek Life programs and services to augment students’ educational experiences on campus.
- Interprets, disseminates and monitors Greek organization compliance with College policies for student organizations. Serves as consultant to the Organizational Adjudication Committee regarding organizational misconduct for Greek organizations, undergraduate societies, and senior societies.
- Advises the Greek Leadership Council and other Greek councils on event planning, organizational issues, and leadership development skills. Collaborates with campus colleagues and faculty to sponsor leadership development programs that prepare students for effective campus and global leadership and provide student leadership development opportunities.
- Responsible for the recruitment, hiring training, management and evaluation of staff.
- Develops and manages operating budgets for all areas of responsibility.
- In collaboration with the Association Dean for Residential Life, responsible for strategic planning and departmental goal setting.
Qualification
Candidates for the position of Assistant Dean for Residential Life & Director of Greek Life must bring a personal energy and commitment to a robust fraternity and sorority life that is an exciting and important part of the Dartmouth College experience. Master’s degree in college student personnel, higher education administration, education, or a related field required with a minimum of seven years of relevant experience. Knowledge of and a working understanding of fraternity and sorority affairs and risk management policies in a residential college setting. A demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusiveness is expected. This position also requires evening and weekend availability.
Prior Experiences
The candidate’s professional experiences should include:
- Evidence of successful collaborations with a wide range of stakeholders within and outside the college, including the ability to lead and manage change;
- Track record of success working within an institution where maximizing student involvement in the life of the campus and enhancement of the quality of student learning and development outcomes are particular goals;
- Success as a creative and innovative leader whose work is informed by effective strategic planning and assessment;
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and student advocacy, including commitment to examining and providing solutions to barriers that students face within a system of higher education;
- Demonstrated effectiveness and successful leadership as a culturally competent professional with broad experience interacting with and supporting the needs of diverse stakeholders;
- A record of success as an advocate for student concerns;
- Active participation and leadership in local, regional, and/or national professional organizations.
Knowledge and Competencies
The successful candidate will be a strong, outgoing, persuasive, charismatic, and articulate leader known for their fairmindedness, consistency, resourcefulness and creativity in developing and presenting sound and well thought out ideas. Additional attributes include:
- Demonstrated knowledge about best practices in the profession and critical student issues;
- Ability to lead by example and keep campus leadership well informed on matters pertaining to the office;
- Reputation as an outstanding communicator and an inclusive decision-maker who is successful in being transparent with staff and students;
- A proven record of responding promptly both verbally and in writing to issues of the day;
- Knowledge of strategic and assessment planning and implementation;
- Excellent, demonstrated direct- and matrix-leadership skills and capabilities, negotiation skills, and team-building behaviors in working with a wide range of opportunities and inherent challenges;
- Strong planning and organizational skills, including ability to manage multiple relationships;
- Personal characteristics associated with highly productive and successful professionals, including a vigorous work ethic, sound judgment, integrity, demonstrated initiative, attitude and personality to work effectively with colleagues, senior leadership at Dartmouth, students, alumni, and other stakeholders.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send, as two separate documents, a resume and a letter of application that relates skills, abilities, knowledge, and professional experiences to the stated qualifications for the position and notable achievements.
The packet should be sent to DGLD@wspelman.com. The email subject line should be DGLD.
Recruitment is underway and will continue until the position is filled. Confidential inquiries may be made by contacting Megan Spelman at Megan@wspelman.com or at 585-750-7091.
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
