Associate Director, Counseling Center Staff & Administration

Position Summary:
Vanderbilt is seeking an individual with clinical operations and administration experience in either the for-profit or non-profit sector to evaluate and improve operational efficiency of the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Associate Director of UCC Staff & Administration is responsible for leading operations for the University Counseling Center (UCC), ensuring effective and efficient processes that support the UCC’s mission. Reporting to the Director of the UCC, this role leads the development and implementation of operational strategies, protocols, and quality assurance measures while ensuring alignment with university standards and healthcare best practices.

This role requires initiative in developing research-based hypotheses and exploring additional avenues of inquiry to better understand organizational challenges and opportunities. The leader will be expected to use data strategically to inform decision-making, drive continuous improvement, and support evidence-based planning and policy development across the organization. The ideal candidate will have direct experience navigating and utilizing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems, such as Point and Click and Epic, and the ability to extract, interpret, and apply clinical and operational data to support administrative functions, quality improvement initiatives, strategic planning, and data-informed decision-making. In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate a proactive and analytical mindset, with the ability to not only interpret existing data but also to identify gaps, trends, and opportunities within that data.

Key responsibilities include partnering with the leadership team to drive operational excellence, and advance strategic initiatives. The Associate Director also partners with Student Affairs' human resources, finance, communications, project management, and central administration teams, facilitating collaboration and alignment with broader institutional goals. This position plays a crucial role in fostering an environment of operational excellence that enables the UCC to effectively serve the university community and advance its strategic objectives. This department is internally funded and does not bill insurance.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Operations 70%

• Serving as a thought partner to the UCC Director, the Associate Director develops and executes operational strategies for the center to enhance workflow efficiency and achieve satisfactory levels of student services received at the center.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate operational policies, procedures, and systems to optimize the delivery of counseling and psychiatry services.
• Oversee daily operations of the University Counseling Center (UCC), ensuring efficient workflows, compliance with university policies, and alignment with best practices in healthcare administration. In partnership with UCC Leadership team, ensure consistency in the delivery of clinical services as well as in the performance of administrative tasks regarding UCC Clinical Guidelines and Procedures.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and processes within the center.
• Serve as the lead data analyst, utilizing data proactively to develop hypotheses, identify trends, and support data-informed decision-making across organizational initiatives.
• Navigate and leverage data from Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems, such as Point and Click and Epic, to assess, interpret, and apply clinical and operational data in support of strategic and administrative goals.
• Supervise the Administrative Manager and set strategy and goals for the administrative support team, including managing scheduling systems and resource allocation to ensure the UCC is appropriately staffed to meet student needs. Ensure UCC compliance with regulatory standards, university protocols, and accreditation requirements.
• Partner with Student Affairs’ finance team to develop, manage, and oversee the UCC budget, ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship.
• Manage UCC operational contracts and vendor relationships for operational needs, including technology systems, clinical tools, and facility services.
• Partner with Student Affairs’ HR team on enhancing recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management and professional development needs for UCC staff.
• Provide meaningful and timely updates to supervisors on the status of individual service plans for direct reports.
• Develop systems for tracking and evaluating staff performance, ensuring adherence to university guidelines and fostering a positive workplace culture.
• Facilitate internal communication between staff and leadership to address operational and professional needs effectively.
• In partnership with the team members in the Student Care Network and Student Aff