Student Services Manager, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME Department Lead)

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California invites applications for the Student Services Manager, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME). This role provides leadership and oversight of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral advising, managing a team of three staff, and coordinating with VASE Student & Academic Services to ensure high-quality, equitable student support.

Reporting to the Department Director of Administration and Finance, you will align departmental practices with School-wide

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in academic advising or student services.
• Experience supervising professional staff in a complex academic environment.
• Strong knowledge of USC academic policies and student records systems.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the AME student services team across undergrad, master's, and PhD advising.
• Manage the doctoral admission process with the VASE office and Graduate School.
• Oversee daily advising operations, enrollment management, and academic records.
• Ensure compliance with university and school policies related to curriculum and advising.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean to align with Viterbi standards and service expectations.
• Advise the Department Chair and faculty on student services trends and outcomes.
• Develop, train, and evaluate student services staff; support professional development.
• Coordinate communications, petitions, degree clearance, and related processes.
• Represent the department in school-wide meetings and initiatives.
• Support continuous improvement in advising practices and documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Student records systems

Job description

The Student Services Manager, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME Department Lead), provides management and operational oversight for all student services and academic advising functions within the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME). Reporting to the Department’s Director of Administration and Finance, this position leads and provides direct oversight of three professional staff within the department’s student services team, supporting undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral populations. The AME department serves more than 1,000 students across three degree levels, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral. The Manager ensures that departmental advising and student services are delivered in accordance with University policy, School-wide standards, and the Viterbi Student Services Handbook: Standards & Expectations for Academic Advising and its companion Appendix: Service Standards & Benchmarks. This position provides leadership, supervision, and training for departmental student services staff and works closely with faculty, departmental leadership, and VASE Student & Academic Services to ensure consistent, accurate, and equitable student support services. The Manager plays a central role in promoting operational excellence, aligning departmental practices with School-wide expectations, and supporting student success throughout the academic lifecycle.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision for the AME student services team, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral advising functions.
• Manage the department’s doctoral admission process in coordination with the VASE office, Viterbi Graduate Admission, and the Graduate School.
• Oversee daily advising operations, student enrollment management, and academic records for all AME degree programs.
• Ensure compliance with University and School policies related to curriculum, degree progress, academic standing, and student services operations.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean for Student & Academic Services to maintain alignment with the Viterbi Student Services Handbook and ensure consistent implementation of School-wide standards and service expectations.
• Serve as the primary advisor to the Department Chair and faculty on student services trends, enrollment data, and student success outcomes.
• Develop, train, and evaluate student services staff; ensure staff have access to ongoing professional development and School resources.
• Oversee communication, petitions, degree clearance, and other academic processes in coordination with the VASE Student & Academic Services team.
• Represent the department in School-wide meetings, committees, and initiatives related to advising and student services operations.
• Support continuous improvement in departmental advising practices and documentation.

VITERBI ADVISING STANDARDS

All Student Services staff are expected to execute their responsibilities in accordance with the Viterbi Student Services Handbook: Standards & Expectations for Academic Advising and its Appendix: Service Standards & Benchmarks. These standards promote consistency, accountability, and collaboration across the Viterbi School of Engineering, ensuring that all students receive equitable, accurate, and high-quality advising support.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS & TEAM STRUCTURE

• Reports to: AME Director of Administration and Finance.
• Supervises: Three (3) departmental student services staff supporting undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral advising functions.
• Collaborates with: Faculty program directors, departmental leadership, and VASE Student & Academic Services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field preferred. Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in academic advising or student services. Demonstrated success supervising professional staff and managing student services operations in a complex academic environment. Strong knowledge of USC academic policies, student records systems, and advising procedures. Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and central administration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All Student Services, Programs, and Engagement staff, both within VASE and in the academic departments, are required to work onsite a minimum of four days per week, with one remote day permitted. Work schedules must align with regular USC business hours to ensure consistent service delivery and effective team collaboration. This schedule applies uniformly across all units, and adherence to it is an expectation of employment in support of the School’s student service standards.

The annual base salary range for this position is $86,089.39 - $102,264.49. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope of responsibilities, work experience, education and training, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

DISCLAIMER

This description outlines the general nature and level of work performed; it is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required. Management may assign or reassign duties to respond to organizational priorities and evolving needs.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Supervisory experience in student programs and services

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law. Notice of Non-discrimination Employment Equity Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report USC is a smoke-free environment Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$151975.htmld USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.