Director Of Student Services

Job Description

Job Title: Director of Student Services / Title IX Coordinator

Location: San Diego, California

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt, On-site, currently Fridays remote

Reports To: COO

Position Summary

The Director of Student Services / Title IX Coordinator provides leadership for student advising, engagement, and support across programs at Design Institute of San Diego. This position supports student progress, retention strategies, and promotes a safe, inclusive campus environment. As the Title IX Coordinator, this role oversees compliance with federal, and state laws related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and gender equity.

The successful candidate will bring a student-centered mindset, strong communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to manage complex, sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Student Advisement and Support

• Advise students on academic progress, institutional policies, and degree completion requirements.
• Serve as the primary contact for academic interventions, registration planning, and student support services.
• Monitor academic trends and lead early alert strategies to promote retention.
• Coordinate and lead onboarding and orientation for new and transfer students.
• Review weekly attendance reports and coordinate with faculty on mid-semester progress reviews.
• Provide individualized support to students, including walk-in and scheduled meetings.
• Coordinate accommodations for students with disabilities in compliance with ADA.
• Collaborate with the Registrar, Admissions, and the Student SUCCESS Team on student success initiatives.
• Oversee student dismissals, grievances, and appeals in accordance with policy.
• Support student engagement through campus events and wellness programming.

Title IX Coordination

• Serve as the institution’s Title IX Coordinator and compliance lead for Title IX, VAWA, and Campus SaVE.
• Investigate and resolve complaints of sex-based discrimination, harassment, dating violence, and related misconduct.
• Maintain and update Title IX policies, procedures, and communication tools including the institutional webpage.
• Deliver mandatory training for faculty, staff, and students.
• Report annual crime statistics as required under the Clery Act.
• Stay current with best practices and legal developments through professional development.
• Maintain confidentiality and neutrality while ensuring timely and equitable resolution of complaints.
• Collaborate with institutional leadership to ensure ethical handling of any conflicts of interest or escalated complaints.

Other Duties

• Coordinate registration each semester in collaboration with the Registrar and Director of Financial Aid.
• Participate in curriculum schedule planning, institutional assessment, and strategic reporting activities.
• Support accreditation preparation and institutional effectiveness efforts.
• Train and mentor student-facing staff, including SOP development and implementation.
• Review and suggest revisions to student-facing web content and communications.
• Attend institutional leadership meetings and contribute to campus planning efforts.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in higher education administration, counseling, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of three years of progressive experience in student services, academic advising, or Title IX compliance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Title IX, VAWA, Campus SaVE, FERPA, and the Clery Act.
• Experience investigating sensitive issues and handling confidential information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience training and supervising staff or peer teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using student information and learning management systems (SONIS/Jenzabar, Canvas).
• Familiarity with California education regulations and reporting requirements.
• Experience leading student engagement efforts and wellness programming.

Compensation and Benefits

$75,000 to $85,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

DI offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including:

• Medical, dental and vision premiums paid at the basic level for the employee, optional upgrades and dependent coverage are available at the employees cost
• Paid time off aligned with the institutional calendar and observed holidays
• One week of paid vacation after 90 days of employment, accrued annually
• California Paid Sick Leave in accordance with state law
• Participation in SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with employer contributions after one year

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• This position requires working at a computer for extended periods and participating in meetings across campus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Design Institute of San Diego is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected categories under applicable law.

At-Will Employment Disclosure

Employment with Design Institute of San Diego is at-will. This means that either the employee or the employer may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, unless otherwise specified by written agreement.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the role to jobs@disd.edu.

Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Selected candidates will be contacted for an initial interview, which may be conducted via phone or video conference. Finalists may be invited to an on-campus interview and asked to provide professional references.