Senior Director

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement programs

Paid tuition

Annual leave

Sick leave

13 paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

University of South Carolina seeks a Senior Director of Undergraduate Student Services to lead advising staff, ensure effective student-facing services, and align operations with college priorities. The role focuses on student success, retention, and collaboration with academic programs and university partners.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, this position emphasizes data-informed outreach, staff development, and continuous process improvements in a fast-paced,

Qualifications

• Knowledge of academic advising, student services, and retention principles.
• Ability to supervise and develop professional staff and coordinate daily operations.
• Strong judgment and discretion for sensitive student issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to analyze data to identify trends and improvements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily advising operations and service practices.
• Provide guidance on complex academic advising, registration, progression, and student success.
• Coordinate linkages between the Associate Dean, staff, and university partners.
• Support retention, persistence, and timely degree completion through proactive advising.

Skills

Advising leadership

Staff supervision

Policy interpretation

Data-informed outreach

Student retention

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Collaboration

Job description

Senior Director Department: ASPH Undergraduate Student Services Advertised Salary Range: Part/Full Time: Full Time

About UofSC From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Inclusive Excellence Statement Advertised Job Summary

The Senior Director, Undergraduate Student Services serves as the front-line supervisory leader for academic advising and student support services within the Arnold School of Public Health (ASPH) Undergraduate Student Services unit. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, the position provides direct supervision and day-to-day leadership for professional advising staff while maintaining a direct connection to undergraduate students and the academic programs they serve. The Senior Director coordinates daily advising operations, establishes consistent service practices, and provides guidance on complex academic advising, registration, progression, and student success matters. The position serves as a key operational link between the Associate Dean, advising staff, and university partners and translates college priorities, policies, and procedures into effective student-facing services. The Senior Director supports student retention, persistence, academic progress, and timely degree completion through proactive advising, staff development, data-informed outreach, and continuous improvement of advising processes. The position exercises independent judgment within established University and ASPH policies and escalates significant policy, personnel, or strategic matters to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs when needed.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of academic advising, student services, student development, undergraduate academic processes, and principles supporting student success and retention.
• Knowledge of practices for interpreting and applying academic policies, curriculum requirements, degree progression standards, and student service procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, train, develop, and evaluate professional staff and coordinate the daily work of a student services operation.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when addressing complex or sensitive student concerns, policy questions, and operational issues.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and university partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, service demands, and competing operational needs in a fast-paced, student-centered environment.
• Ability to analyze information and student service data, identify trends and problems, and recommend practical improvements to advising processes and services.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle student and personnel information appropriately in accordance with applicable University requirements.

Job Close Date 10/14/2026

Special Instructions to Applicant Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by October 14, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions. je-209c2cea3ae8417aa78b4bbb8b30f513