Job Abstract

University of Southern California

Assistant Vice Provost for Student Life Administration

The University of Southern California has retained the services of Spelman Johnson, a premier national executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin Monday, July 1, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with a position-specific cover letter should be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at https://spelmanandjohnson.com/position/assistant-vice-provost-for-student-life- administration/.

Nominations for this position may be emailed to Michel R. Frendian at mrf@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

The University of Southern California seeks an experienced administrative leader with outstanding organizational, communication, and leadership skills to serve as its assistant vice provost for student life administration. The assistant vice provost is an on-site position; the anticipated start date is fall 2024.

Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California (USC) is a leading comprehensive private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. As a member of the prestigious American Association of Universities, it is recognized for its distinctive research and academic programs. The university’s six unifying values—integrity; excellence; diversity, equity, and inclusion; well-being; open communication; and accountability—are the cornerstone of USC’s community. Faculty, staff, and students alike work to create an inclusive culture that furthers personal growth potential and societal progress while emphasizing ethical practices and collective trust. The university is home to over 47,000 students engaged in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. A quarter of the first-year class are the first in their family to attend college, two-thirds of all students receive financial aid, and 27 percent of the diverse student body are international students.

The Position

Reporting to the vice president for student life (vice president), the assistant vice provost for student life administration (AVP) serves as a trusted liaison and strategic planning consultant to the vice president and Student Life senior leadership by developing, managing, analyzing, and optimizing business systems, short- and long-term budgets, administrative processes, and controls for accuracy and oversight. The incumbent works closely with the vice president to strategize and develop long-term tactics to maximize resources and enhance the impact of Student Life programs and services. They directly manage one professional staff member and oversee Student Life’s relationships with university finance, human resources, information technology, space, and advancement teams.

The AVP’s collaborations with finance, human resources, and information technology colleagues encompass fiscal and operational activities, organizational structure and staffing needs, and assessment and implementation of enterprise systems. Partnerships with university space planning and management professionals entail overseeing Student Life’s building inventory, making the best possible use of these physical assets, and planning for future needs. Work with advancement includes prioritizing Student Life’s giving opportunities and ensuring alignment toward those goals. The AVP also oversees the Student Life business continuity program and develops, maintains, and updates organization-wide emergency plans for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response. As a leader in the university community, they embrace and lead the organization in exemplifying USC’s unifying values.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree, seven years of experience as a business officer or administrative director in a large or complex organization, and knowledge of university financial and administrative systems are required.

The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge and demonstrated understanding of business planning, strategy, operations, finance, and management. The AVP will also have experience with complex budget planning and management, business case development, project management, and organizational change practices. The search committee is particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated experience interacting with a broad range of leaders and community members and exercising diplomacy, good judgment, and discretion.

Application and Nomination

The University of Southern California has retained the services of Spelman Johnson, a premier national executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin Monday, July 1, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with a position-specific cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions.

Nominations for this position may be emailed to Michel R. Frendian at mrf@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

The budgeted salary for this position is $140,000- $160,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Visit the University of Southern California website at www.usc.edu and the USC Student Life website at https://studentlife.usc.edu/.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action 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 will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action 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 will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. 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 (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.  Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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