Assistant Director, Graduate Studies (HR Title: Advisor II)

**Salary Range: **

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The SMU Department of Economics is home to a passionate and dedicated group of faculty and staff. Student demand for Economics at SMU is booming. In addition to multiple undergraduate degrees, we also maintain successful master’s and Ph.D. programs. We seek an individual who will continue and accelerate the upward trajectory of the department and SMU through the advancement of our graduate programs. For more information see http://smu.edu/economics/.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Assistant Director of Graduate Studies (Master’s and PhD Programs) plays a central role in supporting the Department of Economics’ graduate programs and advancing their continued growth and success. The position works closely with Master’s and PhD students as they navigate key academic and professional milestones, helping them develop academic plans, satisfy degree requirements, and identify opportunities for research, internships, career development, and placement.

Working in partnership with the Directors of Doctoral and Master’s Studies, the Assistant Director supports student recruitment, admissions, orientation, funding administration, program assessment, and other initiatives designed to enhance the quality and visibility of the department’s graduate programs. The position serves as a key liaison among faculty, students, and university offices, including the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Registrar, Payroll, and International Student and Scholar Services.

In addition, the Assistant Director has supervisory and financial responsibilities and contributes to the effective administration of departmental operations. The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. This individual will play an important role in fostering student success, maintaining program excellence, and strengthening the national and international reputation of the department’s graduate programs.

Essential Functions:

• Advise 75–100 students on academic planning and course selection to ensure degree requirements are met. The role coordinates with the Undergraduate Advisor, Department Administrator, and the Moody School of Graduate and International Students Office to support timely graduation and address administrative and visa matters.

• Collaborates with the Directors of Doctoral and Master’s Studies to recruit and retain high-quality graduate students, enhancing the academic excellence of the department and university. This role responds to applicant inquiries regarding admissions and degree requirements and develops and updates recruitment materials, including web and social media content, to promote graduate programs.

• Works closely with the Director of Doctoral Studies to facilitate the PhD job market process. This role manages letters of recommendation for PhD job market candidates, including alumni, updates candidate information on the departmental website, organizes mock interviews, and designs systems to maintain a historical record of PhD job placements.

• Cultivates and maintains relationships with potential employers to support both Master’s and PhD student employment opportunities. This role develops and expands the Master’s and/or PhD internship programs, organizes and hosts employer information sessions, alumni lectures, and creates a web and social media presence to engage and attract prospective employers for graduate students.

• Manages departmental website content, working closely with the Directors of Doctoral and Master’s Studies to ensure graduate program information is current and accurate for prospective students. This role develops new content with an emphasis on showcasing students to potential employers. Familiarity with HTML coding is beneficial but not required.

• Works closely with the Department Administrator and Director of Doctoral Studies to project and manage the PhD stipend budget. Prepares graduate student contracts, processes scholarships, stipends, and health insurance awards, and approves payroll for hourly student workers. Ensures all work authorizations and payroll request forms are submitted and approved in a timely manner.

• Supports graduate students in meeting all deadlines and requirements related to dissertations and graduation by preparing and submitting necessary documentation. This role also assists the Undergraduate Advisor in planning and organizing the department’s annual awards ceremonies and prepares and submits required materials for students eligible for induction into the Omicron Delta Epsilon international honor society in economics.

• Collaborates with the Directors of Doctoral and Master’s Studies to support graduate student orientation and transition into the program. This role meets with graduate students to provide guidance, gathers feedback from PhD students on program strengths and areas for improvement, and remains informed on research related to graduate student mental health to help support student well-being.

• Collaborates closely with the Directors of Doctoral and Master’s Studies to support program assessment and accreditation efforts. This role is responsible for collecting, recording, and maintaining assessment data throughout the academic year, uploading required information into assessment management systems, and ensuring reports are completed and submitted in a timely manner. The position also responds to external organizations requesting statistical data and information related to the dept.

• Develops and maintains systems to track PhD student publications, conference presentations, and job placements, while also managing a database of Master’s student employment outcomes. This role collects and analyzes graduate student data to support departmental reporting and program assessment. Additionally, maintains relationships with Master’s and PhD alumni to support ongoing engagement and track career outcomes.

• Perform other miscellaneous duties such as organizing the Ph.D. alumni conference and the department’s brown bag seminar.