Associate Director of Governance, Compliance, and Organizational Standards - Campus Life

Discover Your Career at Emory University: Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community. Description:

The Associate Director of Governance, Compliance, and Organizational Standards leads the development and oversight of governance infrastructure, compliance processes, and operational standards for Campus Life student organizations and governing bodies. This role ensures clarity, consistency, and equity in policies, procedures, and decision-making frameworks while supporting professional staff and student leaders in navigating institutional expectations and responsibilities.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides strategic leadership for student organization governance, compliance, and institutional standards, ensuring policies and processes are clear, equitable, and consistently applied across undergraduate and graduate/professional student organizations.
• Oversees the recognized student organization (RSO) lifecycle from a governance and compliance perspective, including chartering, re-registration, constitution review, and coordination of officer eligibility and compliance requirements.
• Leads and manages the student organization re-registration process, including the annual review of governing documents and coordination with campus partners to ensure alignment with university policies and legal requirements. 
• Provides oversight and coordination for student governance elections and selection processes, ensuring transparency, procedural integrity, and adherence to established standards across governing bodies.
• Develops, maintains, and refines departmental standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to student organizations, governance processes, elections, event registration, contracts, and high-risk or high-visibility activities. 
• Serves as the departmental lead for neutrality, non-discrimination, and policy education for student leaders and governing bodies, in collaboration with appropriate university partners.
• Partners with Student Governance Services, Finance, Procurement, General Counsel, and Campus Life colleagues to ensure student organization and governance processes are aligned with institutional policies, risk management expectations, and compliance requirements. 
• Supervises and supports departmental student staff responsible for central office operations, including front-line communication, administrative coordination, and support of governance and compliance processes. 
• Provides consultation and guidance to professional staff and student leaders on governance procedures, compliance expectations, and institutional decision-making frameworks. 
• Collaborates closely with the Associate Director of Leadership and Organizational Development and Assistant Directors to ensure governance and compliance processes support leadership development, engagement pathways, and student learning outcomes.
• Identifies areas where policies, processes, or structures create unnecessary barriers to student engagement, and recommends improvements that balance accountability with access and clarity.
• Serves as a member of the Center for Leadership & Engagement leadership team, contributing to departmental strategy, staffing models, policy alignment, and long-term planning in partnership with the Director.
• Represents the department on divisional and university committees as assigned, serving as a key liaison between student organizations, governance bodies, and institutional stakeholders.
• Supports the overall management and operational effectiveness of the Center for Leadership & Engagement, including oversight of major initiatives, annual planning, and project-based reporting.
• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A master's degree in higher education, leadership, or other related areas, and three years of related experience managing central student organizations and other associated governing bodies, OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience leading and influencing multi-departmental and divisional relationships across campus.

NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location.  Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Additional Details: Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at accessibility@emory.edu or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.