Director of Academic Operations and Student Support, School of Data Science

The University of Virginia's School of Data Science (SDS) seeks a collaborative, forward-thinking, action-oriented, and student-centered Director of Academic Operations and Student Support to join one of the nation's premier data science institutions. The Director will lead the academic operations team, oversee comprehensive academic operational functions, and partner closely with faculty and staff colleagues to advance SDS's mission and program goals. The Director will oversee and execute academic operations to ensure a high-quality, efficient academic environment that supports the student lifecycle from orientation through graduation, with smooth coordination across programs and operational units aligned with School and University strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise academic operations team, including registrar, academic advising, and program managers to ensure a consistent, high-quality student experience across programs (undergraduate, graduate, PhD) and modalities (residential, online)
• Oversee day-to-day academic operations to ensure efficiency, consistency, and quality
• Manage curriculum flow, course assignments, and alignment with University timelines
• Serve as a strategic partner to faculty and school leadership when advancing academic and operational priorities
• Provide oversight of registrar functions such as academic records and policies, space management, grading, degree progress, appeals, compliance, etc.
• Serve as a key data steward, analyze and report data related to enrollment, course demand, retention, and student success
• Support accreditation, assessment, and program review processes
• Develop, oversee, and document academic policies, procedures, operational standards, and compliance requirements
• Partner with SDS Admissions & Recruiting, Career Services, and faculty leadership to ensure accurate communication about curriculum, program expectations, student experience, and career outcomes.
• Liaise with UVA central offices to align academic and administrative functions
• Advance student success outcomes, including retention, persistence, and graduation
• Coordinate academic operations budgets and allocate resources effectively

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 5+ years of related work experience
• 2+ years of formal managerial experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, or related field
• Ability to manage high-performing team of full-time staff
• 5+ years of academic advising and academic operations (enrollment, course scheduling, policy writing and implementation)
• Demonstrated partnerships with faculty and academic leadership
• Progressively increased responsible experience in team leadership, student advising, academic policy, academic records, student success, or budget oversight within an educational setting
• Background in project management, academic administration, registrar, student records, policy, program management, online programs, digital accessibility, and/or academic advising
• Proficiency with university student information systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Oracle, SIS, Terra Dotta, Banner), advising systems (e.g., Starfish, Navigate, Stellic), learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Brightspace, Blackboard), data reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, UBI), and/or survey tools (e.g., MS Forms, Qualtrics)
• Experience with varied student populations such as undergraduate, graduate, and working professionals

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituents. They will have a proven ability to manage complex processes, competing deadlines, and confidential information with professionalism and sound judgment. The candidate will thrive in fast-paced, team-oriented, and innovative environments. They will bring creativity, demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills, and technological proficiency.

Physical Demands:

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

This is a full-time in-person position at the School of Data Science at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. The position may require some weekend and evening work and occasional travel. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, after required training and with the approval of supervisor, in accordance with UVA's remote work guidelines.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $100,000 - 110,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Anticipated Start Date: Fall 2026 or Spring 2027

This is an exempt-level, benefited position.

Health and Other Benefits (visit Health and Other Benefits for additional information)

• UVA Health Plan: the choice between 3 different health plans
• Vision Coverage
• Dental Plan
• Benefit Savings Plans
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Paid Time Off: starting with 22 days of time off per year, 12 or more holidays, 8 weeks parental leave

Education Benefits (visit Education Benefits for additional information)

After six months of employment, full-time and part-time (20+ hours) employees in a benefits-eligible position are offered options of:

• Use of up to $5250 per calendar year towards a for-credit degree program or for-credit certificate program
• Use of up to $2000 of the total $5250 noted above per calendar year for professional development including job-related training, conferences, and initial certificate exams.

How to Apply

Please apply online , by searching for requisition number R[redacted]. Complete an application with the following documents:

• Cover letter to include your interest in the position and how your relevant experience pertains to this position
• Resume or CV

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website .

Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

For questions about the position

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Senior Recruiter, sxv9zv@virginia.edu.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community, please see www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/ .

Job Profile
J1007 - Academic Programs Management 2

Career Stream and Level
Management-M2