Student Development Specialist

Job description / Role

Under the guidance of the Assistant Director of Student Affairs, this role is responsible for planning and executing annual and special events for the Division of Student Affairs. This position plays an important role in building upon student success that is learner-centered and service-oriented in order to meet the vision, goals, and objectives of the Division of Student Affairs. The Student Development Specialist will contribute to the development of programs, procedures, and training that enhance student leadership development. This person will also play an important role in the development of a comprehensive plan for Alumni Relations. This will require the identification of current alumni, development of a tracking system and database of alumni, as well as create programs and avenues of communication that will build a robust sense of alumni connection to WCM-Q.

POSITION ACTIVITIES:

Alumni Relations:
- Develops and maintains alumni information and contact information through surveys, emails and social media and then maintains the data on alumni in Jenzabar (student information data system). Develops and maintains the alumni webpage within Student Affairs website.
- Organizes and executes annual alumni reunions within and outside of Qatar as well as represents the college at official alumni meetings and events as needed. Maintains regular communication with alumni, including publication of a regular (i.e. quarterly) newsletter documenting alumni activities, accomplishments, and engagement with the college. With the Assistant Director, develops and implements strategic plans to engage members of the alumni community.

Student Clubs and Organizations:
- Mentors students in planning and developing social and recreational activities; educates students about the effective promotion of student events and activities; teaches students to create, submit, and evaluate budget proposals; assesses student program interests and trends.

Large Event Management:
- Overall coordination of the Opening Ceremony (formerly White Coat ceremony), Dean’s List dinners, and WMC-Q convocation.
- Works with WCM-NY to coordinate our participation in the NY graduation ceremony.
- Plans and executes close to 20 annual college-wide programs and special events; drafts program plans, in collaboration with QF and WMC-Q; performs site inspections for local events; develops and maintains a list of vendors, supply sources, and event venues; supervises on-site event activities; coordinates with vendors and others as appropriate to ensure that all materials are delivered, installed, and removed in accordance with program plan; estimates and prepares budget proposals for events; monitors expenditures; reviews draft contracts and publicity materials, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders; ensures appropriate local resources to support events are identified and requested in timely and effective manner; provides all relevant information to participants, vendor, and WCM-Q offices to ensure effective and timely delivery of services.
- This work will be supported by the Administrative Coordinator for Student Support.

Service Learning:
- Collaborates with the Assistant Director to provide local and international community service programs; coordinates participation in HBKU events; maintains internal and external contacts; arranges logistics including travel; maintains records of student participation.

New Student Orientation:
- In collaboration with the Assistant Director, coordinates student orientation. This includes preparation of schedules and printed materials, booking of speakers, venues and catering, student materials and resources, lists of venue, vendor and supply sources.

MSEC-Q:
- Coordinates annual MSEC-Q election process leading to the selection of the executive board and class representatives for the seven student cohorts. This includes seeking nominations, setting up the voting system, tallying the results, and communicating the decisions. In collaboration with the Assistant Director, who serves as MSEC advisor, provides leadership training to MSEC-Q representatives.

Collaboration:
- Serves as liaison to Public Relations for the WCM-Q Graduation committee. Represents WCM-Q at the HBKU committees on Alumni Affairs, Orientation, Convocation, and Student Life. Liaises with HBKU and coordinates WCM-Q participation in Education City-wide activities such as intramural sports, cultural activities, leadership training, lectures, and field trips

Departmental Responsibility:
- Participates in on-call rotation for the Division of Student Affairs to respond to after-hours emergency situations. Deputized to lead this functional area in the absence of the Assistant Director. Responsible for the development and maintenance of the Student Affairs Office policies and procedures manual for Student Activities area, ensuring compliance and consistency in own area of operations; proposes and implements procedures to ensure office efficiency.

Requirements

- Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- 3 or more years’ experience in a similar role, or relevant student affairs
- Advanced proficiency in MS Suite of products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Excellent verbal and written English communication and presentation skills
- Previously demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations and cultures
- Evidence of and commitment to learner-centered and service-oriented practices

HIGHLY DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
- Master’s Degree in student affairs or higher education or equivalent degree
- 5 or more years’ experience with student activities, leadership or alumni affairs
- Prior experience in an international healthcare or academic environment.
- Prior experience in the Arabian Gulf region.
- Fluency in Arabic.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- The incumbent will spend 15-20% time in the community and may encounter extreme heat. The remainder is completed in an office environment where approximately 50% is computer based and 50% is desk or office-based.
- The job requires extended and varying work hours to meet demands.
- International travel may be required.

About the Company

Founded in 1898 and affiliated with what is now New York - Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) since 1927, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) is one of the top-ranked clinical and medical research centers in the U.S. It is committed to excellence in research, teaching and patient care, and the advancement of the art and science of medicine.

In addition to the degree in medicine, Weill Cornell offers PhD programs in biomedical research and education at the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences; a joint MD-MBA program with Cornell's Johnson School of Management; and a joint MD-PhD program with Rockefeller University and Sloan-Kettering Institute.