Assistant Vice President for Administration, Student Life

Job No: 503263
Work Type: Staff
Location: Newark, DE
Categories: Student Affairs & Services, Full Time

Pay Grade: 35E

Context of Job: 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.

Major Responsibilities:

Strategy, Vision & Integration

• 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

Fiscal, Operational & Personnel Leadership

• 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

Assessment, Innovation & Policy Development

• 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, and service expectations that strengthen accountability, operational clarity, consistency, and effective service delivery

General Oversight

• Oversee divisional administrative systems and leverage data to support operational workflows, informed decision-making, transparency, and actionable insight for the VPSL and divisional leadership
• Partner with central IT and other institutional stakeholders to improve system integration, automation, reporting capabilities, and provide strategic oversight of divisional technology planning to align technology priorities and investments with operational needs and strategic priorities
• Provide divisional leadership for facilities coordination and space planning in collaboration with campus partners, ensuring alignment with divisional priorities and operational needs
• Lead divisional compliance, risk management, and administrative governance in alignment with institutional frameworks
• Represent the Division in institutional initiatives, committees, and partnerships related to finance, human resources, administrative operations, and organizational effectiveness
• Partner with the Chief of Staff to ensure VPSL priorities are supported by aligned resources, effective administrative infrastructure, and organizational capacity, while maintaining a clear distinction between administrative strategy and executive coordination responsibilities

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting/finance, public administration, Student Affairs or related field, and eight years of progressively responsible administrative experience, preferably in higher education, including direct managerial, supervisory, and leadership sagacity. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in Student Affairs or higher education administration preferred
• Knowledge of university governance, accreditation, and regulatory environments preferred
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex organizational functions with broad operational and financial responsibility
• Extensive experience in financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation
• Demonstrated success in organizational design, workforce planning, and operational transformation
• Strong executive-level communication, decision-making, and leadership skills
• Relevant professional certifications preferred (e.g., CPA, SHRM-SCP, Project Management certification)
• Advanced knowledge of financial strategy, budgeting, and fiscal management
• Advanced knowledge of human resources strategy and organizational design
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate strategy into execution
• Ability to manage risk and ensure compliance in a highly regulated environment
• Proven ability to articulate a vision and inspire diverse stakeholders around shared goals.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to translate complex information into accessible formats for various audiences.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace and the student experience.

Working Conditions:

• High level access to confidential and sensitive information
• Requires flexibility to support executive-level demands, including occasional evening or weekend commitments