Job Description

The College of Engineering's Global Innovation Exchange has an outstanding opportunity for an Associate Director of Student Affairs & Alumni Engagement to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Academic Director for MSTI, the Associate Director of Student Affairs & Alumni Engagement provides strategic leadership, independent judgment, and operational oversight for student affairs, academic advising, and alumni engagement within all academic programs offered through UW Global Innovation Exchange (GIX), including the full-time Master of Science in Technology Innovation (MSTI) program, the Hybrid MSTI program, the MSTI + Tsinghua University (THU) Dual Degree program, and future programs. This position is responsible for designing, governing, implementing, and continually enhancing a comprehensive student experience strategy that supports student success, academic progression, professional development, retention, and long-term affiliation with the University of Washington.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Advising & Student Support (35%)

• Advise students on curriculum pathways including electives and course waivers, academic performance, degree requirements, dual degree participation, course failures, and academic recovery planning.
• Develop and implement academic continuation and remediation plans for students experiencing academic difficulty, in partnership with faculty and academic leadership.

Student Services Programming & Communications (25%)

• Strategically plan and oversee Orientation, Jump Start initiatives, program-wide meetings, and Graduation.
• Oversee administration of degree option selection, academic and applied independent studies coordination, and related academic advising processes.

Student Leadership Development (15%)

• Oversee the advisement of the MSTI Graduate Student Association and other student organizations and represent student perspectives in leadership discussions and institutional decision-making processes.
• Ensure student governance structures align with program values, policies, and continuity expectations. Mediate conflicts within or between student groups as needed.

Alumni Engagement (15%)

• Provide leadership for MSTI alumni engagement strategy, emphasizing lifelong affiliation and community building.
• Plan and oversee alumni programming, reunions, regional events, leadership councils, and student-to-alumni transition initiatives. Coordinate engagement communications, including a quarterly e-newsletter, and collaborate on web and social media promotions.
• Engage alumni as ambassadors for mentorship, advising, recruitment support, and program visibility. Analyze alumni engagement metrics to inform strategy and programming.

Supervisory Leadership & Operational Management (10%)

• Hire, train, evaluate, and mentor staff. Set performance expectations and ensure continuity, quality, and scalability of services.
• Coordinate with prototyping lab leadership and staff to monitor student professionalism, conduct, and safety in lab environments.
• Contribute to budget planning related to student affairs and alumni engagement.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct supervision of the Academic Services Coordinator

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, social science, higher education, or a related field
• 4 years of progressively responsible experience in graduate student affairs or student services.
• Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Additional Qualifications

• Experience as an academic advisor.
• Demonstrated experience in program management and event coordination.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to manage confidential student records and sensitive information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, social science, higher education or a related field
• Experience working in industry settings (e.g., recruiting, human resources, consulting, marketing, program management).
• Experience working with diverse student populations, including international students.
• Experience using UW systems such as MyGrad Program and Student Database (SDB).
• Experience supporting interdisciplinary or professional graduate programs.
• Experience working in a work-compatible and professional master’s degree program
• Over 5 years of relevant work experience.

Working Conditions

• Frequent in-person interaction with full-time students, hybrid students, faculty, staff, alumni, mentors, and campus partners.
• Work includes managing complex situations, competing priorities, and multiple program cycles.
• Position requires regular on-site presence at the GIX location in Redmond and the UW Seattle campus.
• Partial remote work may be available based on operational needs.

Cover Letter Requirement

• An introduction
• State the specific position for which you are applying
• A summary of how your qualifications, skills, and experiences align with the key responsibilities and requirements of the position.

About the Team

The University of Washington’s Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) is an engineering-and-business institute for emerging and established technology leaders. GIX inspires innovators to solve real-world challenges through the responsible application of advanced technologies, aiming to increase the capacity of innovative leaders to create value, transform organizations, and improve the world. For more information about GIX please visit https://gix.uw.edu/.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$105,288.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$117,600.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.