Reporting to the Assistant Provost and Executive Director of UD China Institute, with a dotted line reporting relationship to the Vice President for Student Development and the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at the University of Dayton, the Director of Student Life is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of programs and services to complement and enhance the student academic experience to include orientation, residential life, dining, programming for intercultural engagement and learning, student conduct administration, health and wellness, crisis management, and student-related emergency protocols. Additionally, the Director will serve as the primary support person for U.S. students as they acclimate and adjust to Chinese culture. This position serves as an integral member of the UD China Institute leadership team and provides a student-centered perspective to Institute-wide policy and program development. The Director of Student Life is based in Suzhou, China. Candidates applying for this position must travel to the United States for training and development, which will likely occur during the summer term (June/July) and the winter break (December/January). 

Under the direction and supervision of the Assistant Provost and Executive Director of the UD China Institute, the Vice President for Student Development and the Associate Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students, the Director of Student Life shall: 

• Serve as the direct supervisor for undergraduate resident assistant staff. This responsibility includes meeting with staff individually to provide supervision and address performance management issues, facilitating staff meetings to address larger issues that impact the residential learning experience, conducting performance appraisals, recruiting undergraduate staff as part of the recruitment processes for the fall, spring and summer terms and designing professional development and on-going training for the resident assistant staff. 
• Oversee the creation and implementation of an educational plan that reflects current scholarship and practice for student learning and addresses the social, recreational and cultural needs for UD China Institute participants. Plan and administer pre-departure and on-site orientation experiences for new students. 
• Develop and manage all aspects of the student conduct system. This responsibility includes serving as a hearing officer to ensure the enforcement of University policy and local laws, supporting the resident assistant staff in the implementation of the conduct process, education of students regarding University policy and collaborating with the Associate Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students in administering the Title IX investigation process. 
• Respond to crisis that occurs in the residential areas. Develop and administer a 24 hour emergency on-call coverage plan that includes an after-hours on call rotation for the undergraduate resident assistant staff. Assist in the development of emergency plans and protocols for the campus. Liaise with apartment management as needed. 
• Develop and maintain, in consultation with UD and UD China Institute leadership and appropriate program stakeholders, a student handbook to include policies and regulations, behavioral standards, student conduct processes, student rights and responsibilities, and a guide to optimizing the UD China Institute experience. 
• Develop processes and procedures that promote safe spaces and facilities (e.g., student apartments, China Institute facility) that support student learning inside and outside the classroom. 
• Collaborate with UD China Institute staff and faculty and local community representatives to foster the development of positive relationships and student engagement opportunities. Develop a collaborative working relationship with the Director of Student Programming. (e.g., leadership development, internships, community service, excursions). 
• Lead assessment and evaluation efforts including the collection and analysis of data on all initiatives and making data driven decisions for the continuous improvement of co-curricular experiences and services. 
• Perform other duties assigned as determined by the Assistant Provost and Executive Director of UD China Institute, the Vice President of Student Development and/or the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students. 

Position Summary Information 

The University of Dayton, founded in 1850 by the Society of Mary, is a top ten Catholic research university. The University seeks outstanding, diverse faculty and staff who value its mission and share its commitment to academic excellence in teaching, research and artistic creativity, the development of the whole person, and leadership and service in the local and global community. 

To attain its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the principles of diversity, inclusion and affirmative action and to equal opportunity policies and practices. As an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer we will not discriminate against minorities, females, protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Master’s degree 
• Two years post Master’s experience working in student affairs at an institution of higher education in the United States 
• Two years demonstrated experience planning, organizing and implementing staff development and training programs in residential life 
• One year of demonstrated experience developing and sustaining an intercultural learning programming with students, faculty and staff 
• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and practices in international higher education 
• Demonstrated experience supervising undergraduate student staff 
• Evidence of strong written skills in English 
• Willingness and ability to work weekends and evenings 
• Must be willing to travel to the United States for training and development as specified by the Assistant Provost and Executive Director of the UD China Institute, the Vice President for Student Development and the Associate Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, education or related field 
• Three or more years post Master’s experience working in student affairs at an institution of higher education in the United States. 
• Three or more years demonstrated experience planning, organizing and implementing staff development and training programs in residential life 
• Demonstrated knowledge of Chinese culture and history 
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of student development theory and practice 
• Demonstrated experience supervising undergraduate international student staff 
• Demonstrated ability working in a team to advance internationalization efforts using innovative practices within a dynamic and fast-paced environment 
• Demonstrated experience in handling multiple projects, setting priorities and meeting deadlines while maintaining a high level of performance 
• Demonstrated intercultural competencies achieved by living, working, or studying in an international, cross-cultural setting, preferably in China and/or other Asian countries 
• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. higher education policies, including FERPA and Title IX, and an ability to provide training on Title IX investigation processes 
• Demonstrated ability to engage in bilingual communication, preferably Chinese/Mandarin. 
• Two years of experience developing intercultural engagement and learning experiences with students, faculty and/or staff 
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing systems and processes related to crisis intervention and emergency preparedness 
• Evidence of strong verbal skills in English 
• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills 
• Understanding of the University of Dayton’s mission as a Catholic and Marianist institution 

Work Hours: TBD

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