Senior Associate Dean of Students

Wake Forest University; United States; On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Wake Forest University is seeking a Senior Associate Dean of Students to provide vision, leadership, and coordination for Campus Life in student risk mitigation and safety initiatives. The role focuses on crisis response, threat assessment, and collaboration with University Police and other offices to mitigate risks at events and on campus.

The position reports to the Dean of Students and may involve managing special projects and complex student and family matters, with a focus on safeguarding

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in student affairs administration or a related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education.
• Ability to assess information about potential threats and persons of concern.
• Strong privacy, confidentiality, and data handling skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee crisis response, threat assessment, and student risk mitigation.
• Coordinate the Threat Assessment Team and student demonstration response.
• Serve as the primary liaison to University Police during critical incidents.
• Support campus safety initiatives and enterprise risk reduction in collaboration with relevant offices.

Skills

Crisis management

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Privacy/compliance

Higher ed experience

Education

Master’s degree in student affairs administration or similar

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Senior Associate Dean of Students will provide vision, leadership, and coordination for the Division of Campus Life in student risk mitigation, supporting student safety and wellbeing. The Senior Associate Dean manages and oversees administrative support of student protests and demonstrations, the student crisis response system, threat assessment, and off‑campus relations. In collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement, University Police, and University Events, the Senior Associate Dean mitigates risk for student events. Under the direction of the Dean of Students, serves in a deputy role to provide management for emerging special projects, student and family issues, and coordination with units reporting to the Dean of Students.

Job Description

This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non‑immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions

Crisis Response and Threat Management In coordination with the Dean of Students and Chief of Police, direct the operational management of the Threat Assessment Team (TAT), including management of operations, policies, training, and future development of a multi‑disciplinary team that utilizes research‑backed protocols to identify, evaluate, and mitigate imminent safety threats or acts of violence involving members of the university community. Coordinate the university’s student crisis response system, in collaboration with the Dean of Students, including protocol development, staff training, and assessment of student interventions. Serve as the primary liaison to University Police during critical incidents; coordinate divisional operations in alignment with the university’s overarching IncidentManagementTeam framework. In collaboration with the Senior Associate Dean of Students, CommunityResponse and Caring Outreach, evaluate student referrals to distinguish between community safety risks and general student distress or support.

Other Functions

Serve as a facilitator of non‑disciplinary conflict resolution meetings, as directed by the Office of Student Conduct. Counsel students in academic, personal, and disciplinary matters. Assess at‑risk students for additional intervention by appropriate personnel (e.g., mental health providers) and serve as a case manager for students experiencing significant personal, financial, and/or health challenges as directed by Senior Associate Dean of Students for Community Outreach and Caring Response. Serve as a liaison for the Dean of Students Office and Division of Campus Life to key partners. Serve as Dean On‑Call in 24‑hour emergency on‑call rotation. Respond to crises involving students. Serve on the Campus Assessment and Response Team and participate in ongoing training. Represent the Dean of Students Office and Division of Campus Life on departmental, Divisional, and university‑wide committees. Other related duties as assigned as appropriate to the missions of the Office of the Dean of Students, the Division of Campus Life, and the University.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Master’s degree in student affairs administration, or similar field. Seven to ten years of relevant experience in a higher education setting, including progressive management responsibilities. Ability to assess information regarding potential threats and/or persons of concern. Ability to interact with students, parents/guardians, staff, and faculty of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds. Excellent interpersonal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively and work well in a team‑oriented environment. Ability to professionally and appropriately manage sensitive, private material and information. Knowledge, experience, and comfort managing concerns related to personal, medical, and mental health issues. Understanding of and ability to adhere to strict privacy restrictions.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge of risk factors and warning signs related to targeted violence and experience with threat assessment in higher education a plus. Ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information, document information electronically in a timely manner, and verbally communicate with appropriate stakeholders as warranted. Ability to effectively communicate and develop partnerships throughout the campus and local community about area resources to constituency groups. Demonstrated experience in assessment and evaluation. Knowledge of current regulations relevant to work in higher education (i.e., TitleII, III, & IX; FERPA; HIPAA; etc.). Proven ability to promote collaboration, teamwork, and involve stakeholders in the decision making process. Sensitivity and awareness to the needs of diverse student populations and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the academic, intellectual, and social development of all students.

Accountabilities

Serves as a primary leader and central point of contact for campus crisis response, threat assessment, and student risk mitigation. Oversees operational management and policy implementation for the Threat Assessment Team (TAT) and student demonstration response. Serves as a designated essential employee; participates in the 24‑hour Dean On‑Call rotation and supports campus continuity during critical incidents, emergencies, or university closures.

Physical Requirements

• Moving about to accomplish tasks, or moving from one worksite to another.


• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.


• Communicating effectively with students, families, law enforcement, and university officials to exchange complex, sensitive information.


• Operating computer equipment and technology, requiring repetition of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.


• Visual acuity to evaluate environment safety, review reports, and assess campus climate activations.

Environmental Conditions

• Variable Outdoor Conditions: Frequently exposed to outdoor environmental elements (inclement weather, heat, cold) while monitoring campus events, demonstrations, or responding to on‑campus emergencies.


• High‑Pressure Operations: Subject to fast‑paced environments during critical incident response, crisis management, and threat evaluations.

Additional Job Description Time Type Requirement Full time

Note to Applicant: This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job‑related instructions and perform job‑related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor. In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] or (336) 758‑4700.

About WFU

Wake Forest University, formed in 1834, has experienced decades of growth and innovation. WFU is a distinctive university that combines a liberal arts core with graduate and professional schools and innovative research programs. The University embraces the teacher-scholar ideal, which prizes the personal interaction between students and faculty. It is a place where exceptional teaching, fundamental research and discovery, and the engagement of faculty and students in the classroom and the laboratory are paramount. Wake Forest University is a community that seeks the enlightenment and freedom which come through diligent study and learning. Its higher goal, however, is to give life to the University motto "Pro Humanitate," as members translate a passion for knowledge into compassionate service. The community shares a tradition that embraces freedom and integrity and acknowledges the worth of the individual. The heritage, established by the school's founders and nurtured by succeeding generations, promotes a democratic spirit arising from open-mindedness and discourse. Wake Forest fosters compassion and caring for others. Its collective strength and character are derived from the values and distinctive experiences of each individual; therefore, it affirms the richness of human intellect and culture and its contribution to knowledge, faith, reason, and dialogue. Furthermore, it strives toward a society in which good will, respect, and equality prevail. To that end, Wake Forest University rejects hatred and bigotry in any form and promotes justice, honor, and mutual trust. The University is comprised of: the undergraduate college, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Law, and School of Medicine (located on the Bowman Gray campus with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center) and today enrolls about 4,846 undergraduates and 2,823 students in graduate programs at its principal location, the Reynolda campus. Students at Wake Forest University enjoy a great deal of access to and interaction with world‑class faculty both in and out of the classroom setting with a student‑faculty ratio of 11:1. Wake Forest employs approximately 2,772 full and part‑time faculty and staff. Wake Forest is a collegiate university offering a vibrant, intellectual community with a rich cultural life, an impressive array of facilities, and a strong athletics program competing in the fifteen‑team Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Since its founding, the university has adopted the motto “pro humanitate,” which is exemplified by a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world. Wake Forest has a strong commitment to holistic, eight‑dimensional well‑being for students, faculty and staff as evidenced in the Thrive initiative. Winston‑Salem, North Carolina Wake Forest is located in Winston‑Salem, North Carolina, a beautiful, mid‑sized city centrally located in the Piedmont‑Triad region of North Carolina. Winston‑Salem is a family‑friendly city with high quality schools, numerous outdoor recreational activities and events, and is known for its vibrant and thriving arts scene. Winston‑Salem residents enjoy close proximity to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains (1.5 hours) and Atlantic beaches (4 hours), a moderate climate with four distinct seasons, a very reasonable cost of living, and an eclectic variety of restaurants, wine bars, and breweries for dining with friends and family. Winston‑Salem offers many of the amenities of a large city but with the sense of community and quality of life of a smaller town.