Director of Academic Administration and Student Services

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.

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below or visit our USM Careers Page and submit the following:

- Cover letter

- Resume/Curriculum Vitae

- Finalist candidates will be asked to provide a list of names and contact information for three references.

For full consideration please submit all required materials by November 1, 2026.

We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

Appropriate background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator .

Clery Act:

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report (ASR), and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. View the University’s Annual Security Report (PDF) . If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact our Public Safety Office at 207.780.5211.