Director of Wellbeing Education (Division of Student Affairs) - (STU00000123)

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

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 Office of Wellbeing Education was established in 2022 and is responsible for health promotion for the SMU community, including oversight of the Wellbeing Education Student Team (WESTies) that provides peer education. Additionally, the University’s recovery efforts are housed within the office. There is considerable opportunity for the development and growth of wellbeing efforts at SMU as this office continues to take shape.

About the Position:

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

The Director of Wellbeing Education works as a member of the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students leadership team in assessing, developing, managing, and promoting a holistic health and wellness culture at Southern Methodist University (SMU). This position will develop and implement a vision for the newly-created Office of Wellbeing Education and work collaboratively with offices and departments across campus to promote wellbeing, specifically those within the Division of Student Affairs. The Director of Wellbeing Education supervises staff members, including the recovery program coordinator.

Essential Functions:

• Provide leadership for the newly-created Office of Wellbeing Education using evidence-based health promotion approaches to develop a vision, strategies, and programs that advance a culture of holistic health and wellbeing and address critical priority areas for student wellness at SMU. This includes supervising the recovery program coordinator.
• Collaborate with colleagues across campus and within the Division of Student Affairs in planning and implementing large- and small-scale programming and presentations for the campus that promote health and wellbeing.
• Conduct health needs assessments and other public health surveys to drive program planning. Produce comprehensive reports to educate stakeholders and inform strategic planning and decision-making. Complete the biannual Drug Free Campus-Act reports.
• Support the ongoing work of the Student Recovery Program and oversee the substance use prevention efforts on campus.
• Maintain and oversee department budgets in partnership with the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and the Senior Financial Budget Officer for the Division of Student Affairs. Pursue additional funding for program and office support through collaboration with the Division of Development and External Affairs' fundraising efforts and through grant writing.
• Provide direction and leadership for a core group of students to promote awareness and effective delivery of health-related information and programs. Recruit, train, and supervise 10-15 Wellbeing Education Team members (WESTies) each year.
• Serve as a member of the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Leadership Team.
• The position requires some evening and weekend work depending upon training requests and student needs.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Master’s degree is required.  Field of study for degree in public health, higher education or other closely related field, is required.

A minimum of five years of work experience in the field of health education or health promotion is required. College health and wellbeing experience or experience with corporate wellbeing initiatives is required.  

Experience with developing and utilizing student/peer leaders is preferred. Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis is preferred. 

Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) credential is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. 

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, project and time management skills with the ability to manage concurrent projects and multiple tasks.

Candidate must have effective presentation and facilitation skills, be able to use data collection and software for data analysis and be able to perform budget planning and monitor expenditures. 

Candidate must ensure confidentiality, including medical records and other health data, and have the ability to handle sensitive, traumatic situations.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) is required. Website Maintenance skills, and Social Media skills are preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Bend, crawl, squat, climb
• Reach above shoulders
• Sit for long periods of time
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Carry/lift 25 lbs.
• Kneel, stand, push/pull
• Walk for long distances
• Drive motorized equipment

Deadline to Apply:

This position is open until filled. 

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.