Student Services Manager, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME Department Lead)

The Student Services Manager, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME Department Lead), provides management and operational oversight for all student services and academic advising functions within the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME). Reporting to the Department’s Director of Administration and Finance, this position leads and provides direct oversight of three professional staff within the department’s student services team, supporting undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral populations.

The AME department serves more than 1,000 students across three degree levels, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral. The Manager ensures that departmental advising and student services are delivered in accordance with University policy, School-wide standards, and the Viterbi Student Services Handbook: Standards & Expectations for Academic Advising and its companion Appendix: Service Standards & Benchmarks.

This position provides leadership, supervision, and training for departmental student services staff and works closely with faculty, departmental leadership, and VASE Student & Academic Services to ensure consistent, accurate, and equitable student support services. The Manager plays a central role in promoting operational excellence, aligning departmental practices with School-wide expectations, and supporting student success throughout the academic lifecycle.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision for the AME student services team, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral advising functions.
• Manage the department’s doctoral admission process in coordination with the VASE office, Viterbi Graduate Admission, and the Graduate School.
• Oversee daily advising operations, student enrollment management, and academic records for all AME degree programs.
• Ensure compliance with University and School policies related to curriculum, degree progress, academic standing, and student services operations.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean for Student & Academic Services to maintain alignment with the Viterbi Student Services Handbook and ensure consistent implementation of School-wide standards and service expectations.
• Serve as the primary advisor to the Department Chair and faculty on student services trends, enrollment data, and student success outcomes.
• Develop, train, and evaluate student services staff; ensure staff have access to ongoing professional development and School resources.
• Oversee communication, petitions, degree clearance, and other academic processes in coordination with the VASE Student & Academic Services team.
• Represent the department in School-wide meetings, committees, and initiatives related to advising and student services operations.
• Support continuous improvement in departmental advising practices and documentation.

VITERBI ADVISING STANDARDS

All Student Services staff are expected to execute their responsibilities in accordance with the Viterbi Student Services Handbook: Standards & Expectations for Academic Advising and its Appendix: Service Standards & Benchmarks. These standards promote consistency, accountability, and collaboration across the Viterbi School of Engineering, ensuring that all students receive equitable, accurate, and high-quality advising support.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS & TEAM STRUCTURE

Reports to: AME Director of Administration and Finance.

Supervises: Three (3) departmental student services staff supporting undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral advising functions.

Collaborates with: Faculty program directors, departmental leadership, and VASE Student & Academic Services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in academic advising or student services.
• Demonstrated success supervising professional staff and managing student services operations in a complex academic environment.
• Strong knowledge of USC academic policies, student records systems, and advising procedures.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and central administration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All Student Services, Programs, and Engagement staff, both within VASE and in the academic departments, are required to work onsite a minimum of four days per week, with one remote day permitted. Work schedules must align with regular USC business hours to ensure consistent service delivery and effective team collaboration. This schedule applies uniformly across all units, and adherence to it is an expectation of employment in support of the School’s student service standards.

The annual base salary range for this position is $86,089.39 - $102,264.49. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope of responsibilities, work experience, education and training, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

DISCLAIMER This description outlines the general nature and level of work performed; it is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required. Management may assign or reassign duties to respond to organizational priorities and evolving needs.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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