Director of Student Affairs - School of Medicine

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) at Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) is seeking a Director of Student Affairs to lead student life and engagement for more than 800 MD students. This highly visible leadership role supports students through a rigorous and high-stakes academic journey, from matriculation through residency placement, shaping the experience of future physicians at a leading academic medical institution.

As a senior member of the Office of Student Affairs, the Director will provide leadership across student life and engagement, partner closely with academic and administrative leaders, and help guide the office's response to complex and evolving student needs.

The Office of Student Affairs plays a central role in the MD program, including administration of the clinical curriculum (third and fourth year), oversight of the MD coaching program, and coordination of the residency application process, including the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). The office also contributes to student wellness initiatives and supports efforts to maintain a positive and professional learning environment.

This role is ideal for an experienced student affairs professional seeking to make a meaningful impact within a collaborative and mission-driven medical school environment.

This is a fully onsite position based on the Boston Health Sciences campus (Chinatown) and requires an inperson presence five (5) days per week.

Please review the Application Instructions in this posting for guidance on required cover letter content.

The Director of Student Affairs serves as a senior leader within OSA, providing strategic direction and day-to-day oversight for student life and engagement across the MD program. This role blends leadership, operations, and student-facing work, requiring sound judgment, strong collaboration, and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive situations.

Leadership & Student Affairs Strategy

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for student life within the MD program, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities
• Contribute to and implement policies governing student conduct, engagement, and professional standards
• Serve as a key partner to OSA Deans in maintaining a consistent, equitable, and supportive student experience

Student Engagement & Governance

• Oversee student government, student organizations, interest groups, and Learning Communities
• Advise and support student leaders while ensuring compliance with institutional policies and expectations
• Build strong relationships with student leadership and facilitate effective communication across the student body

Student Support & Case Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for MD students seeking guidance and support
• Navigate complex and sensitive student situations with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment
• Partner with OSA leadership to support student success, including drafting letters of recommendation for scholarships, research programs, and other academic opportunities
• Coordinate with campus and clinical resources to triage concerns and connect students to appropriate support

Note: This role focuses on support, coordination, and escalation; not clinical counseling.

Programs & Events

• Lead or support the planning and execution of major MD program events, including Orientation, White Coat Ceremony, Residency Career Night, Match Week, Senior Awards and Senior Dinner, and Commencement
• Oversee and coordinate key student programs, including the SAGE (Specialty Advising, Guidance and Exploration) program, the MD Summer Research process, and BLS trainings
• Ensure a high-quality, well-coordinated student experience across key academic and professional milestones

Operations, Budget & Administration

• Manage the OSA budget, including funding for student organizations and Learning Communities
• Oversee financial processes, including reimbursements and student organization expenditures, with direct oversight of Student Council financial activity
• Track expenses, support financial planning, and advise OSA leadership on resource allocation
• Ensure consistent implementation of policies and operational practices across student life functions

Staff Leadership & Development

• Supervise and develop OSA staff, including the Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Student Affairs Administrative Coordinator
• Establish goals, provide performance feedback, and support ongoing professional development

Housing & Facilities Oversight

• Oversee administration of the Posner student dormitory, including supervision of Resident Assistants
• Collaborate with Facilities and Public Safety to ensure safe, effective operations letter content.

Application Instructions
Please submit the following materials for consideration 1) Resume 2) Cover Letter addressing:

• Relevant experience in student affairs, ideally within a professional school or similarly complex academic environment
• Approach to supervising and developing staff
• Examples of establishing, interpreting, or enforcing student life or conduct policies
• Experience supporting students in complex or sensitive situations, including how judgment was applied

Basic Requirements:
Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Master's degree
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education student affairs or student life, including leadership or supervisory responsibility
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing programs or operations
• Proven ability to navigate complex, sensitive situations with sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism
• Experience applying conflict management and de-escalation techniques in student-facing environments
• Strong understanding of student support practices, policies, and trends in higher education
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to build relationships across diverse constituencies

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of experience in student affairs, ideally within a professional school environment (e.g., medical, health sciences, or similar)
• Experience supporting students in distress and managing high-stakes or time-sensitive situations
• Experience developing and implementing policies related to student life, conduct, or academic progression
• Demonstrated success working in a complex, fast-paced academic or medical education environment

Work Schedule Requirements:

• The role requires occasional evening and weekend hours to support major events and programming