Who we are

Why Rensselaer? Our dynamic global community of changemakers includes some of the world’s leading researchers, students, alumni, and faculty who ask the important questions and devise the scientific and technological innovations that make the world a better place for all of humanity. Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, and one of the world’s fastest supercomputers. 

Job Summary

The Dean of Students, reporting to the Vice Provost for Student Experience, ensures a dynamic living and learning environment that contributes to students’ intellectual agility, multicultural sophistication, and global view. They manage policies, procedures, and support services to enhance students’ academic, personal, and professional development, campus and community affinity, overall well-being, and safety. They direct staff in overseeing programs, functions, events, and activities related to the student experience. The Dean of Students serves as a liaison to academic and administrative departments regarding student conduct, rights, and responsibilities. The Dean of Students is to serve as a resource to faculty, parents, staff, alumni/ae, and to the community in matters related to Rensselaer students.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree required in higher education administration, student personnel, or related field

Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in student affairs with progressively increasing levels of responsibility, including experience serving at the Dean/ Director level.
• Demonstrated understanding of national best practices related to all functions within the Campus Experience portfolio
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Experience working in campus discipline/judicial affairs
• Experience of successful collaboration with academic affairs/ faculty
• Experience with assessment, strategic planning and budget development
• Demonstrated experience in setting priorities, delegating, and coordinating complex tasks with attention to divisional and institution goals

Applicants must meet stated minimum education and experience requirements.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the issues and opportunities of a private technological research university
• Demonstrated commitment and ambition to furthering a high level of cooperation between student life and academics.
• Ability to assess, understand and be a key advocate for a healthy and inclusive campus climate
• A commitment to contribute to Rensselaer’s ongoing effort to promote a welcoming and open campus community.
• Competence with the use of research and assessment tools to monitor progress in meeting goals
• A demonstrated record of success in managing conflict
• Ability to develop and maintain productive community and campus partnerships
• Proven ability to collaborate, both effectively and with enthusiasm
• Strong strategic planning skills
• Proven ability to achieve buy-in and ownership of change
• Requires strong leadership skills and ability to communicate and interact with diverse groups of customers
• Requires expert financial acumen
• Requires ability to effectively present information to internal and external groups and audiences
• Requires ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex regulations and documents, financial and business reports, and technical journals
• Thorough knowledge of student development theories and their application to students at a highly selective technological research university
• Working knowledge of legal and compliance issues related to student affairs, including Title IX
• Demonstrated excellent leadership skills, especially the ability to establish standards of quality, to communicate those standards clearly, and to assess personnel based on those standards
• Demonstrated effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Shift

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $130,000 - $160,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Rensselaer is committed to providing a safe and healthy living, learning, and working environment for its faculty, staff and students.  As such, we strongly recommend that faculty, staff and students obtain a COVID-19 vaccination and remain current with available boosters to protect themselves, as well as to protect vulnerable members of the community.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Rensselaer is recognized locally and nationally for the depth and breadth of its compensation and benefits program. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

We welcome candidates who will bring diverse cultural, ethnic, national and international perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity, Race/Gender/Veterans/Disability Employer.