Associate Director of Yale Summer Session

Yale Summer Session Associate Director

Yale Summer Session (YSS) is among the leading university summer sessions, offering intensive courses in New Haven, online, and abroad for Yale College credit, as well as a range of specialized academic programs. Reporting to the Director of YSS, the Associate Director supports students at every stage of their YSS experience. The Associate Director leads student-centered outreach and recruitment efforts and formulates and implements a communications strategy for prospective, admitted, and current students via e-mail, mail, the YSS website, social media, and other channels. The Associate Director also provides direct student support by developing the framework for and managing the operations of the residential life program within the YSS Summer Colleges, in close collaboration with the Dean of International and Summer Programs for Yale College, the Director, and key campus partners.

Principal Responsibilities

• Designs and executes strategic, student-focused outreach and recruitment initiatives that maintain YSS's visibility among Yale College students and attract highly qualified visiting students, including coordinating e-mail, mail, and social media campaigns; managing web content development and updates; organizing and facilitating campus and off-campus outreach events and activities; and hiring, training, and supervising student outreach coordinators.
• Oversees communications to admitted and current students that build enthusiasm for the YSS experience and convey essential orientation and logistical information, ensuring consistent YSS branding and adherence to University guidelines; and maintains appropriate alumni engagement and communications, including through newsletters.
• In close collaboration with the Dean, the Director, and other campus partners, defines and drives a residential life strategy that advances YSS's educational priorities, ensures student well-being and safety, and aligns with budgetary guidelines, and serves as the primary administrative lead for the YSS Summer Colleges during the summer, including hiring, training, and supervising the student residential life staff; conceptualizing and organizing student orientations, activities, and events to build community among students; administering the residential life budget and ensuring compliance with YSS and University financial policies and procedures; monitoring housing and dining numbers, assigning housing to residential students, with attention to any housing accommodations, and maintaining college and campus access profiles; coordinating housing check-ins and check-outs; supporting residential aspects of the First-Year Scholars at Yale Program; and collaborating with colleagues and resource units in YSS and across campus on student well-being and safety and to manage sensitive student situations and emergencies, serving on call at night and on weekends while YSS is in session.
• Develops and applies methods to evaluate the effectiveness of outreach, recruitment, and communication strategies, and designs and executes assessment protocols to measure the quality of summer residential life operations, drawing on student experience surveys and other evaluative tools.

In addition, the Associate Director may assist with student outreach and communications related to Yale Study Abroad, including the Yale Study Abroad newsletter.

Performs other duties as assigned. Some evening and weekend work is required, primarily while YSS is in session but also for recruitment events and student residential life staff training sessions. Some travel may be required for recruitment and professional development.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage and counsel students and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in utilizing computer software applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Advanced interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Master's degree and seven years of experience in higher education administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in student support, health, and safety, preferably in a residential life or student affairs setting.
• Experience training, supervising, and mentoring student staff.
• Advanced proficiency using e-mail outreach platforms and CRM systems, e.g., Slate.