Assistant Dean of Student Services/Dean of Students

Position Summary

The Assistant Dean of Student Services serves as a senior administrative leader responsible for the oversight and functional operations of the student life cycle at UCLA School of Law. Reporting directly to the Dean, this position provides strategic leadership, policy interpretation, and operational direction for two major units, Student Services and the Registrar/Records Office, and plays a central role in shaping and delivering an inclusive, high-quality student experience. This role intentionally bridges Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, with a dual focus on student life, student well-being, and academic success. The Assistant Dean serves as a key liaison between students, faculty, and academic leadership, ensuring alignment between academic policies, student support services, and the lived student experience. The position is highly student-facing and helps drive institutional efforts to support students' academic progress, personal development, and overall well-being from matriculation through graduation.

The Assistant Dean provides strategic and operational leadership for all student affairs and student services within the School of Law, with responsibility for the day-to-day management and effectiveness of the Student Affairs/Student Services Office. This role ensures the delivery of comprehensive, high-quality student services, including student advising, registration, and enrollment operations. In close partnership with the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, this position also provides coordinated senior leadership and oversight of the Registrar/Records Office, ensuring alignment of academic and student services functions. Through this collaborative leadership model, the Assistant Dean of Student Services helps ensure the effective management of registration and enrollment processes and the stewardship of electronic student records.

In addition to operational responsibilities, the Assistant Dean provides administrative leadership on the development and implementation of academic policies and programs that directly affect students. This role serves as an advisor to both Student Affairs leadership and the Law School's senior leadership, offering guidance on student-related policy development and strategies for effective implementation. The Assistant Dean plays a central role in supporting students throughout their academic journey by providing individualized academic advising, developing and delivering programming responsive to student needs, and interpreting and applying academic standards and policies. The position oversees student welfare and discipline, ensures appropriate referrals to campus and external support resources, and promotes student success and well being. In addition, the Assistant Dean is responsible for overseeing the reasonable accommodations process for students with disabilities, serving as the primary point of contact for bar admissions and character and fitness matters, and supervising initiatives that advance diversity, inclusion, and the professional and ethical development of law students.

As a senior leader within the Law School, the Assistant Dean provides leadership and coaching to subordinate managers and supervisors while fostering integration and collaboration across student service activities. This position actively cultivates a culture of mutual respect and appreciation for diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusive excellence among students and the broader Law School community. As a principal advisor to the Dean and Law School leadership, the Assistant Dean must think creatively and strategically, work collaboratively, engage effectively with students, faculty, and staff, and serve as a senior institutional leader advancing student success and academic excellence.

Salary & Compensation

UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• Senior level management experience in student affairs, academic administration, or a related area within a complex higher education environment, with a preference for experience in a Law School setting. (Required)
• Experience with program review and development, institutional assessment process, and inter-unit coordination. (Required)
• 7 - 10 Years + Experience working in a position with increasing responsibility, preferably in Student Affairs, Student Services, and/or academic advising at an institution of higher education. (Preferred)
• Experience with and advanced knowledge of the overall law school academic cycle, with a clear understanding of curriculum, financial aid, and general policies and procedures. (Required)
• Experience managing, supervising, and leading teams, including delegating responsibility, staff skill assessment, training, and mentoring. (Required)
• Experience with developing financial budgets and resource management. (Required)
• Demonstrated expertise in academic advising, student counseling, academic standards, and student conduct processes, including the application of policies and sound judgment in complex student matters. (Required)
• Comprehensive understanding of academic programs, processes, and operations, preferably within a large public research university or similarly complex higher education environment. (Required)
• Advanced knowledge of federal and California laws and regulations affecting students, including FERPA, ADA, academic regulations, and University policies governing privacy, access to records, and student information. (Required)
• Proven ability to manage multiple functional units, supervise managers, develop and interpret policy, and operate with a high degree of autonomy in a complex organizational setting. (Required)
• Demonstrated skill in developing and implementing effective strategies to deliver high‑quality student and faculty services while ensuring compliance and operational excellence. (Required)
• Ability to navigate and be effective within a complex organization, balancing competing priorities, stakeholder needs, and institutional requirements. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective, collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, campus administrators, and external constituencies to advance programmatic and institutional goals. (Required)
• Expert leadership and communication skills, including the ability to select and employ appropriate leadership styles, facilitate teamwork, and make clear, persuasive oral presentations to diverse audiences. (Required)
• Demonstrated capacity to address and resolve complex conceptual, administrative, and public‑facing issues with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion. (Required)
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusive excellence, with experience fostering intercultural competency and inclusive practices among students, staff, and faculty in practical and meaningful ways. (Required)
• Record of honesty, integrity, and ethical leadership, with the ability to serve as a trusted advisor and institutional representative. (Required)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Juris Doctor (JD) Degree or equivalent combination of advanced degree in a related field and/or experience (Required)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
• Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.
• Achieves and maintains high level of continuing professional development by attending conferences. (Required)
• Ability to work onsite at UCLA's Campus. (Required)
• Occasional attendance at offsite conferences and meetings. (Required)
• Evening and/or weekend work. (Required)
• 5% Domestic Travel
• 5% International Travel

Schedule

Monday - Friday | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Union/Policy Covered

99-Policy Covered