Assistant Director, Academic Operations

The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) seeks an Assistant Director, Academic Operations, who will strengthen the relationships and day-to-day coordination that make effective and efficient academic operations possible. This role is the first point of contact for faculty, students, and colleagues, advising on questions around MBA and MSx course registration, GSB course schedule creation, exam administration, and academic policies and processes.

This role is primarily campus-based, with limited ad hoc opportunities to work from home. Because the work is highly relationship-driven and time-sensitive, a daily on-campus presence is essential for building trust with faculty and partners, resolving issues quickly, and supporting core academic operations, including in-person exams.

The ideal candidate excels in a fast-paced environment that requires balancing competing and conflicting needs. You have an eagle eye for detail and appreciate the criticality and impact of behind-the-scenes processes on the student experience. You quickly understand complex processes, remain calm under pressure, exercise good judgment, and can effectively communicate with multiple constituencies. You thrive in a team environment where collaboration is critical. Solid analytical skills and a proficiency with data are required. A good sense of humor is appreciated.

Duties unique to this position:

• Exam Administration: Own end-to-end exam scheduling and execution, including reconciling inputs, aligning with faculty, communicating requirements, and overseeing on-the-ground exam logistics.

• Registration & Academic Policy Communications: Develop and maintain student- and faculty-facing communications on registration, academic policies, and processes; ensure information is delivered accurately and on time. Respond promptly to inquiries in a consistent team voice, building policy mastery and exercising sound judgment, tact, and empathy, especially when exceptions cannot be accommodated.

• Course Data Stewardship: Advise faculty on academic policies, practices, and standards, and contextualize the importance of accurate and complete course data. Track, maintain, and translate myriad course details for critical decision-making and course planning.

The budgeted salary for this position is $100,000 to $110,000 annualized.

Core Duties:

• Administer an area or program in student services, evaluate and recommend decisions on program eligibility. Review decisions recommended by other staff.

• Collaborate with others to help resolve program issues and concerns, interpret policies, and mediate complex and sensitive issues.  May be tasked with evaluating and recommending program improvements.

• Resolve multi-dimensional matters in response to students in crisis, at risk, or who have other program issues, counsel students and parents on sensitive and confidential issues.

• Provide guidance and counsel, oversee and develop a wide range of programs and services, analyze effectiveness and make recommendations for future programs.

• Reconcile complex issues; analyze diverse transactions from multiple sources.

• Summarize data from multiple sources, prepare manage reports and presentations.

• Identify and evaluate data needs, manage the implementation and development of technology.

• Develop and implement plans for outreach efforts, develop and maintain external community and university liaison, represent department and university at meetings and events.

• Provide advice to students on a range of issues, including, but not limited to, academic progress, academic program policies, career plans, accessibility, community standards, etc., in order to guide them in making appropriate choices and decisions. May have to escalate issues to a senior advisor.

• Apprise students of research, fellowship and scholarship opportunities, make recommendations and may award grants.   

• Serve as a subject matter expert to students and other departments; represent unit/department.

• May lead, create and contribute to development of business practices and organizational change to improve processes and workflow.

• May oversee, analyze and assist in financial processes and development of budgets.

• Serve as a key member of a project team.

• May train and supervise other staff, volunteers, student and temporary workers.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and management.

• Advanced analysis and problem solving skills.

• 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.