About Us
One hundred seventy years after opening its doors as the state’s flagship university, the University of Mississippi (UM) is a growing, vibrant research institution that offers nationally ranked academic and research programs. The state’s first public university to shelter a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the university attracts promising young scholars with a litany of outstanding programs, including the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. Ranked among the nation’s top public research universities by several measures, the University of Mississippi is home to more than 30 research centers and is designated an R1: Research Universities (highest research activity) in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.  For eight consecutive years, UM has been recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for by the Chronicle of Higher Education. UM is committed to increasing the diversity of the university. UM was named the state’s healthiest workplace among all Mississippi colleges and universities and offers wellness programs. UM’s main campus is located in Oxford, in the rolling hills of north Mississippi 70 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. A city of approximately 23,000 residents, Oxford is a vibrant university town with unique shops and galleries, eclectic restaurants, and historic landmarks.

 
Job Overview
The Student Services Manager (SSM) supports all aspects of student services for international students enrolled in Ole Miss Intenrational programs and will reports to the Regional Executive Director. The main responsibility of this role is to carry out parts of a strategic plan that includes recruitment activity to drive enrollment growth of OMI, students’ academic engagement, social integration, and cross-cultural development in their new academic and social environments.

 
This skilled team player successfully implements support services catered to international students. The SSM is an entry-level manager role with an innovative approach to analysis, data-driven decision making, and problem solving. He or she understands the holistic overlay of the academic, social, and emotional needs in the student lifecycle. Having a hands-on approach to recruitment and conversion, academic delivery, customer service, and business growth is essential to successful collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, university administrators, students, and parents.

 
Essential Functions

Student Service

• Develop programs that guide, prepare, and motivate students toward degree completion
• Deliver key service components of the student experience, including student housing and dining, pre-arrival communication, arrival support services, orientation programming, ongoing student services support, and the overall student experience
• Handle special student cases, including students experiencing significant personal and academic difficulties
• Guide, prepare, and motivate students to a successful undergraduate or graduate experience and degree completion
• Deliver exceptional student services, beginning with pre-arrival processes, airport transfers, orientation programming, ongoing student services support, and student acculturation into the university providing a strong foundation for the student’s academic success
• Mentor, train, and coach students to support their skill development in goal setting, strategic planning, cultural competency, problem solving, and interpersonal relationships, among other areas
• Assist in the development, promotion, and implementation of programs to support student retention and socialization/acculturation; assist in the design and implementation of orientation programming
• Teach or coach first-year transitional programming if applicable

Data and Technology

• Engage in data collection and analysis
• Provide required data and information to internal and external stakeholders, with an eye toward strategically planning future retention activities and creating the best possible experience for students
• Contribute to student services operations to ensure that systems and procedures are followed, and technology is used to streamline systems and procedures; assist in the creation of new student services–related processes

Program Recruitment

• Lead campus webinars, prospective student visits and other conversion activities to support enrollment growth of the program
• Manage student ambassador program in partnership with marketing team members to further promote OMI across all channels and marketing platforms.
• Partner with campus marketing and recruitment leaders to gather student testimonials and  bring the authentic campus voice to market. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 18months experience in higher education or student-facing equivalent
• Experience working with international students or customers in an administrative or academic capacity
• Proven customer service skills
• Demonstrated empathy in managing culturally sensitive situations
• IT literacy (e.g., student information system or database, or customer relationship management systems)
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed
• Eligibility to work in and travel freely to and from the United States without sponsorship 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Proven people management skills
• Experience in program evaluation and assessment
• Experience working with students who face a variety of challenging academic, social, or other needs
• Experience working with international students or customers in an administrative or academic capacity
• Experience working successfully with non-native English speakers
• Knowledge of Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, or Hindi

Application Process
To apply for this position, please visit the Shorelight Careers page to submit an application with a resume and cover letter.

Background Check Required — Education, Criminal, Identity

Ole Miss International is an Equal Opportunity Employer.