Director of Student Affairs/Operations, Berlin and Buenos Aires - Minerva Project - San Francisco, CA

Berlin, Germany and Buenos Aires, Argentina

About the Minerva Schools at KGI

Minerva, based in San Francisco, California, offers a unique undergraduate experience for the brightest, most motivated students in the world. Minerva has been deliberately designed to teach the capabilities needed to solve complex challenges. Combining a reinvented curriculum, rigorous academic standards, cutting-edge technology, and an immersive global experience, Minerva provides an exceptional and accessible education to prepare future leaders and innovators across all disciplines. Minerva formed an alliance with Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) to establish the Minerva Schools at KGI in 2013, a WASC-accredited, four-year, undergraduate institution.

Role

Minerva is seeking a Director of Student Affairs/Operations to set up Berlin operations for Fall 2016 studies and Buenos Aires for Spring 2017 studies. The Director will also oversee daily operations in both locations once students are there. Candidates must speak English, German, and Spanish; be familiar with Berlin and preferably Buenos Aires as well; and have and be able to build strong relationships with government and private organizations in both locations. Candidates must have experience in facilities management, student residential life, student services, student health and safety, staff development, crisis management, among other things.

R esponsibilities

The Director of Student Affairs/Operations is responsible for:

Set up of campus operations

Establish relationships necessary for operationalizing location:

Meet all legal requirements to operate and house students, including registering, opening bank accounts, arranging for payment of taxes, and entering into MOUs with other entities

Finalize lease agreement on residential building(s)

Ensure that students (from 30-40 countries) can obtain required visas/residence permits and are able to engage in internships

Ensure that the requisite technology in the residence hall supports the offering of classes on the Minerva Active Learning Forum

Ready residence hall for move in of approximately 130 students in August 2016

Work with local providers to set up high-speed internet and ethernet and wifi in the residence halls in consultation with Minerva headquarters.

Recruit and train additional student affairs staff in collaboration with Minerva headquarters

Arrange for health coverage for students and mental health counseling, working with SF office.

With the Student Experience team and Managing Director in the region, develop partnerships with local government, businesses and services

Oversee operational matters

Oversee and monitor operational expenditures

Develop a local emergency management plan for students and staff and train students and staff to follow it

Establish relationships with local hospitals, police and fire departments

Lead staff in response to crisis and emergency situations

Handle issues with visas during students’ residency in Berliin

Deal with issues with management of building, facilities

Train and supervise Student Affairs personnel and RAs

Prepare residence halls for check-ins; handle check-in and check-out

Work collaboratively with Student Experience team to design and participate in orientation

Handle escalated student issues and concerns both independently and through cross-team collaboration

Ensure the health and safety of students; arrange of health insurance coverage and implement plans for mental health programming and support with guidance from SF team

Develop student life programming in coordination with Student Experience team

Assist with ongoing compliance with HR and immigration regulations related to entry into Germany and employment/internship eligibility for international students and employees (as needed)

Monitor and enforce processes and policies related to complex US and local regulations of colleges/students regarding: sexual assault, anti-discrimination, alcohol and drugs, posting of data on criminal activity in and near residence halls, health and safety, and accommodation of students with disabilities

Be available and on-call as requested

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s preferred


• 5-8 years of university-level student affairs/operations in a leadership/management role


• Experience in international operations


• Experience in community engagement and relations


• Demonstrated ability to exercise sensitivity and respect to other cultures, politics, values and modes of communication


• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple concurrent projects


• Strong sense of discretion, confidentiality and tact


• Excellent written skills and attention to detail


• Comfortable using and learning new technology


• Fluent in English, German and Spanish


• Deep knowledge of and connections in Berlin; knowledge and understanding of Buenos Aires preferred.

Skills/Personal Attributes

• Problem-solver; desire to build something new


• Passionate about international education and student development


• Strong communication skills with the ability to listen and to interact well with people from all levels of internal and external organizations


• Ability to build a high-functioning team


• Leadership and entrepreneurial skills


• Customer service orientation


• Flexible and open to doing things in new ways and living with ambiguity


• Empathetic

Reporting and Internal Collaboration

• Reports to Chief Student Affairs and Operations Officer in San Francisco Headquarters


• Trains and supervises local Student Affairs personnel and Resident Assistants


• Collaborates with local Student Experience personnel and regional Managing Directors

Expected Start Date: January 2016