Director, Community Standards at Emerson College in Boston, MA

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Reporting to the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, the Director of Community Standards provides leadership and oversight for the Office of Community Standards at Emerson College. This role is responsible for upholding the Code of Student Conduct and ensuring a fair, educational, and transparent conduct process that supports student growth and accountability. The Director serves as the Chief Conduct Officer and works closely with campus partners to foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community.

The Director will oversee conduct processes, provide guidance to staff, and contribute to policy development and community education efforts.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Serve as the Chief Conduct Officer, overseeing the application and updating of the College’s Code of Community Standards.
Collaborates with the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students to ensure incidents of misconduct are adjudicated in a fair and consistent manner.
Provide leadership and direction to the Office of Community Standards, including direct supervision of the Associate Director and the Community Standards Administrator.
Oversee the administration of student conduct cases, including academic integrity matters and off-campus conduct issues.
Lead the review and adaptation of student conduct policies, ensuring they remain compliant with evolving legal standards, national best practices, and institutional goals.
Ensure compliance with relevant federal and state regulations, including FERPA, Title IX, and the Clery Act.
Collaborate with key campus stakeholders, including Housing and Residential Education, the Office of Equal Opportunity, Student Engagement and Leadership, the Emerson College Police Department, Legal Counsel, and Student Care and Support.
Represent their area on the Care, Assistance, and Support Team (CAST) and the SAFE Team.
Develop, implement, and oversee the selection, training, and ongoing education of student conduct board members, ensuring procedural consistency and alignment with institutional values.
Provide guidance and oversight on community standards and student conduct processes across all Emerson campuses, including Emerson LA, Kasteel Well, the Global Fine Arts program, and other global study programs. This ensures consistency in policy application and support for students and staff in distance locations.
Provide training for faculty, staff, and students on community standards, conflict resolution, and student rights and responsibilities.
Act as a key advisor to senior leadership on student behavior trends, recommending proactive approaches to student accountability and community safety.
Lead the development, assessment, and revision of policies and procedures related to student conduct and community standards.
Supervise the collection and analysis of student conduct trends, using data-driven insights to inform policy revisions, training initiatives, and proactive accountability measures.
Responds to questions and concerns from students, parents, families, and stakeholders about the College's conduct process.
Assist in the development and implementation of educational initiatives to promote ethical decision-making and community responsibility.
Represent the Office of Community Standards on campus-wide committees and initiatives.
Manage conduct-related records and reporting in compliance with college policies and legal requirements.
Serve as a campus liaison with general counsel, external agencies, and professional organizations regarding student conduct-related policies and compliance.
Participate in the administrator on-call rotation to respond to campus incidents and emergencies, serving as a key decision-maker during crisis incidents involving student conduct.
Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to perform the job effectively.

A Master’s Degree in higher education, student affairs, social work, or a related field is required. Doctoral coursework or an advanced certificate in higher education law, conflict resolution, or restorative justice practices preferred.
A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in student conduct, community standards, residence life, or a related area is required.
Strong knowledge of student development theory, legal issues in student affairs, and best practices in student conduct administration is required
Experience supervising professional staff preferred
Experience working with external legal counsel and regulatory bodies on student conduct compliance matters is preferred
Experience with restorative justice, alternative dispute resolution, conflict resolution, or mediation programs preferred
Familiarity with risk assessment models and legal trends affecting student conduct administration is preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – This may be representative but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job.

Ability to create and maintain fair, equitable, and educational student conduct processes.
Strong understanding of legal considerations related to student conduct, including FERPA, Title IX, and due process.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with students, faculty, and staff.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in student conduct processes.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Ability to attend meetings, training, and events in person and virtually.
Ability to respond to campus emergencies and participate in the administrator on-call rotation.
Requires long periods of mental concentration and effective communication.

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

Work is performed in an office setting with regular interaction with students, faculty, and staff.
Requires occasional evening and weekend responsibilities as part of supporting the campus community.

Compensation: $89,900.00 - $112,500.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Grade of Position: 23-11E

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

Division:

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week.

Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.