The Director for Academic Operations is responsible for designing, coordinating, and enforcing academic policies and procedures, scheduling final examinations, providing degree and certificate audits, maintaining student records, and working with the Vice Dean and University Registrar to schedule courses. The Director assists with questions related to examinations, grades, the curriculum, registration, and academic policies. The person in this position must be patient, approachable, and comfortable with a high level of student interaction. The role also requires maturity, good judgment, and decisiveness. This position reports directly to the Assistant Dean and Dean of Students.
Vanderbilt Law School's Office of Student Life provides academic information and policy services to facilitate learning and to support the success and wellbeing of every student. The office maintains a culture of accountability, responsibility, inclusion, and respect for our colleagues and ourselves. This office is designed to help VLS students navigate their legal education from orientation through graduation. We strive to send the happiest, healthiest, and most professional law students into the world to serve as leaders in the legal profession. Services offered include but are not limited to: orientation, Commencement, student accommodations, counseling and crisis management, student organization and journal support, diversity and inclusion initiatives, academic success programming and counseling, international student support, class registration, and exam administration.
Key Responsibilities
Academic Policy
• Review and update Student Handbook for publication before fall semester of each academic year, or more often if necessary
• Track applicable changes from accreditation bodies and ensure our policies are in compliance and properly communicated to students
• Create law school academic calendar
• Serve on the University Registrar’s Office (URO) Calendar Committee
Course Administration
• Ensure all instructors are listed in YES
• Build course schedules in the Course Scheduler on the Community Resources page each semester
• Build course schedules in Campus Planning Interface (CPI) and ensure all information is correctly entered in YES
• Review and approve requests for YES, PeopleSoft, Oracle, and Blue
• Update YES degree audit with new courses
Registration
• Manage the course registration process
• Review URO census data each semester
• Review dual degree residency each semester
• Evaluate transcripts of incoming transfer students and complete transfer forms for the URO
• Notify the URO of any LLM to JD transfers so students are removed from the commencement program
• Approve non-law courses for law school credit (in conjunction with Vice Dean)
• Confirm grading basis for courses in which students are enrolled outside of the law school
• Manage the Venice program registration process including adding courses and instructors to YES and communicating necessary information to the URO
Examinations, Grades, and Evaluations
• Schedule and administer exams
• Manage exam software
• Create and send exam specifications survey to faculty each semester
• Complete course evaluation spreadsheets for each semester and set dates for completion of evaluations in all courses
• Process grades
• Review and approve requests for grade changes
• Oversee degree audit process each semester and certify grades for graduates
Accommodations
• Work with Director of Student Affairs to identify classroom and exam accommodations
• Oversee implementation of classroom accommodations
• Schedule and manage all accommodated exams, quizzes, and midterms
Student Journals
• Oversee student journals in conjunction with the Student Records Coordinator
• Ensure journals are published in accordance with publication schedules and standards
• Serve as escalation point for any journal issues that cannot be resolved by Student Records Coordinator
Orientation and Commencement
• Participate in Office of Student Life orientation programming
• Manage transfer student academic onboarding
• Assist with Commencement programming as needed, including but not limited to proofing Commencement programs, producing and certifying graduate list, etc.
Student Records
• Securely maintain student records
• Update student information as needed to ensure accuracy and recency
• Oversee bar exam forms, statistical tracking, and licensure programming and communication
• Identify Founder’s Medal contenders and monitor grades
• Review, approve, and process transfer credits for dual degree students
Support for Legal Studies Programs
• Work with Assistant Dean for Legal Studies to provide support for non-J.D. course registration and exam administration.
• Serve as primary liaison between non-J.D. programs and University Registrar
• Ensure all non-J.D. curriculum is properly set up in all URO systems
Supervisory Relationships
The position supervises the Student Records Coordinator and Student Services Coordinator. The position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Dean and Dean of Students.
Qualifications
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
• At least four years of relevant experience, preferably in higher education is necessary.
• Excellent technical skills are necessary, and knowledge of a wide variety of computer and software applications (i.e., Microsoft Office Suite and other specialty academic applications) is preferred.
• Effective oral and written communication skills are necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and identify, establish, and meet critical deadlines is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain focus, leadership, and sound judgment in high pressure situations and meet objectives and expectations is necessary.
• A strong professional presentation is necessary.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.