Director of Academic Administration and Student Services

Director of Academic Administration and Student Services

Portland, ME, United States and 1 more (On-site)

Job Info Job Identification 3241 Job Category Academic Student Services Posting Date 10/16/2026, 06:26 PM Locations P.O. Box 9300, Portland, ME, 04104, US (On-site) Regular or Temporary Regular Department USM CAHS Deans Office Bargaining Unit Universities of Maine Professional Staff Association (UMPSA)

Job Description Are you an organized, collaborative leader who enjoys helping academic programs and students thrive? Do you excel at navigating complex processes, building strong relationships, and finding thoughtful solutions in a busy university environment? The University of Southern Maine invites you to bring your expertise to the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

We are seeking a student-centered Director of Academic Administration and Student Services to manage the day-to-day operations of the College Dean’s Office. Working closely with the Dean, academic departments, faculty, staff, and student support teams, you will coordinate essential academic processes, help resolve student-related matters, and strengthen the systems that support teaching and learning. This role calls for independent judgment, discretion, strong communication, and an ability to balance competing priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing academic administrative operations, policies, procedures, course scheduling coordination, and catalog updates.
• Coordinating and tracking curriculum proposals, academic reviews, special projects, and new initiatives.
• Overseeing Polymath Pathways coordination, including curricular, scheduling, and student-support needs.
• Managing graduation certifications, academic actions, student appeals, and other matters requiring Dean’s Office review.
• Providing academic approvals for standardized forms, including program and grade changes and course withdrawals.
• Responding to student questions and concerns and collaborating with advising, registration, and academic departments.
• Working with the Dean and Associate Deans to support undeclared students in exploring and declaring majors.
• Compiling reports and analyzing enrollment and academic data using MaineStreet and other University systems to support planning.
• Coordinating Dean’s Office communications, events, meetings, records, and operational logistics.
• Improving administrative workflows, supporting budget and scholarship account tracking, and supervising assigned staff or student workers as needed.

Pay and Benefits

This is a full-time, in-person position based on our Portland Campus. This position offers an annual salary of $58,000.00.

Candidates must reside within a 90-minute commutable distance from the USM campuses. This requirement is essential for the ability to participate in supporting and building upon the university culture of "student focused every day" and allows for regular participation in on-campus activities, meetings, and fulfills the responsibilities of the role effectively.

The University of Southern Maine offers highly competitive benefits for full-time and eligible part-time employees that includes (but is not limited to):

• 13 paid holidays plus earned vacation time and sick time.
• Health, dental and vision insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance.
• A tuition waiver program for employees and their spouse or dependent child(ren).
• A 403(b)-retirement plan.
• Free access to the METRO system, including the Husky Line with service between our Portland and Gorham campuses.

See the

Benefits

• Information Summary for details.

• About the University of Southern Maine

• The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond. USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University.

• The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community.

• We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three to five (3–5) years of administrative or operational experience in a college, university, or similarly complex organizational setting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in planning, analyzing, communicating, coordinating, and managing administrative operations.