Associate Director, NEST

Compensation Annual Salary: $70,304.00 - $86,020.00 Location Must reside in San Diego County. Hybrid – frequent travel within San Diego County is required. Candidate must maintain a valid driver’s license and a reliable personal vehicle. Position Summary Under the strategic guidance of the Senior Director of the Nest, the Associate Director – Nest supports location growth, retention efforts, quality of student services, onsite programming, and community engagement at The Nest locations. The role includes planning, facilitating, and participating in institution and center-level programmatic enhancement activities, supervising Campus Support Specialists when needed, and maintaining comprehensive knowledge of university programs, policies, and procedures. Essential Functions Engage in regional and programmatic outreach with community colleges, other colleges, local government agencies, school districts, businesses, and civic organizations to promote strategic partnerships and student enrollment growth for all Nest locations. Plan and facilitate onsite programmatic efforts (both active and passive) at The Nest locations to ensure quality co‑curricular opportunities for local students and alumni. Partner with faculty, NU departments (Veteran & Military Community Center, Career Services, Student Wellness, and Alumni Relations), and external partners to provide programming and resources. Work with the Senior Director on organization‑wide initiatives focused on improving operational and program efficiencies and effectiveness. Collaborate with Harmony Academies to ensure their presence is ongoing at each Nest location. Support interdepartmental collaboration across the university to ensure transparency, partnership, and holistic representation of all perspectives in decisions and initiatives. Provide coverage as Associate Center Director and Campus Support Specialist (CSS) and serve as a backup supervisor for CSS staff. Create and maintain a culture of excellence and inclusivity through team activities, initiatives, and open communication. Participate in Student Services Leadership Team meetings. Uphold the University standard of conduct and all other policies and procedures. Identify opportunities and recommend changes to improve the University. Participate in training, continuous education, and leadership development activities to improve skill set. Assist in creating a strategic vision, in collaboration with senior leadership, for annual goals and outcome‑based projects. Provide compliance oversight through Quality Assurance Activities and aligned coaching/feedback engagements. Analyze data and metrics to determine and facilitate change to meet organizational expectations and goals. Evaluate reporting to ensure student service expectations are met via phone/email/text and follow up as needed. Evaluate internal audits and provide coaching as needed to ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation guidelines. Assist in developing and monitoring short‑ and long‑term strategic plans for the location and associated programs. Liaise between escalated students and proper University personnel and departments, coordinating resources in partnership with academics. Develop and provide operational reports to the Senior Director. Coordinate with the IT team on administrative and academic technology, hardware, and software activities. Assist with hiring staff and support special projects and assignments as designated. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Senior Director and AVP. Supervisory Responsibilities Back‑up oversight of Campus Support Specialists. Track and monitor schedules and attendance of team members. Administer payroll and time‑card reporting for team members. Train, retain staff, lead team meetings, and provide coaching. Provide leadership and operational guidance to ensure effective team member support of students. Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in management, business, human behavior, psychology, or marketing required. Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of six (6) years’ experience, and one (1) year of supervisory experience in administrative management, preferably in higher education. Experience in higher education administration, facility maintenance, or finance. Competencies / Technical / Functional Skills Ability to handle multiple tasks in a demanding environment. Demonstrated ability to motivate and provide leadership and training in complex areas. Problem‑solving abilities and resource application. Professional representation of the University in marketing and public relations activities. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Knowledge of academic and business workings of a higher education institution. Knowledge of University policies and procedures. Independent leadership and fostering of a cooperative spirit within a diverse team. Knowledge of leadership principles and practices. Team building and conflict resolution skills. Coaching skills to improve development and performance. Excellent customer service skills. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Advanced use of Microsoft Office Suite and ERP software. Strong administrative and organizational skills. Benefits National University offers comprehensive well‑being benefits. For full details, visit the benefits page. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement National University (NU) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant per applicable federal, state, and local laws. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment, education, and admission at National University. #J-18808-Ljbffr NU National University