Assistant Director of Military Services

Assistant Director of Military Services
Charleston Southern University

Position Overview

Reporting to the Associate VP of Student Financial Services, the Assistant Director of Military Services provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Office of Military Services at Charleston Southern University. This position is responsible for ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations related to military-affiliated educational benefits. The Assistant Director serves as a primary advisor, advocate, and support resource for veterans, service members, and their dependents. This individual will work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to enhance the veteran student experience through outreach, programming, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Supervisory Responsibilities

· Provide direct supervision to the Military Services Coordinator, including hiring, training, evaluating performance, and providing ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.

· Oversee and support additional staff, VA work-study students, and student workers within the Office of Military Services.

· Establish clear expectations, set performance goals, and ensure accountability within the team.

· Foster a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment, promoting teamwork and high standards of service.

· Ensure that staff remain current with relevant policies and regulations affecting military-affiliated students and that procedures are followed accurately and efficiently.

· Serve as a resource and mentor to staff, providing guidance in complex situations and ensuring seamless operations.

Compliance & Certification

· Ensure institutional compliance with all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations, including proper certification and reporting.

· Serve as CSU’s School Certifying Official (SCO) and primary liaison with the VA, SC Commission on Higher Education, and other relevant agencies.

· Maintain accurate student records and oversee the submission of required compliance reports and audits related to military benefits.

· Monitor student enrollment status, academic progress, and eligibility for continued benefits.

Student Support & Advising

· Serve as the main point of contact for students using VA and military-related education benefits (e.g., Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill®, Yellow Ribbon, Tuition Assistance, etc.).

· Provide one-on-one counseling on admissions, academic planning, transfer credit evaluation, financial aid, and benefit usage.

· Assist students in navigating the transition from military to academic life and connect them with relevant university services.

· Develop onboarding and orientation materials tailored to military-affiliated students.

Program Coordination & Campus Engagement

· Promote a veteran-friendly campus environment by coordinating events such as

Veterans Day programming, graduation recognition, and military appreciation initiatives.

· Serve as a resource to faculty and staff, educating the university community on the needs of veteran students and best practices.

· Work with departments such as Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, and Career Services to streamline support for military students.

Outreach & Recruitment

· Collaborate with the Enrollment and Marketing teams to recruit military-connected students and enhance CSU’s visibility within the military community.

· Represent the university at military education fairs, base visits, and regional conferences.

· Establish partnerships with military installations, Veteran Service Organizations, and community stakeholders.

Office Management & Supervision

· Lead the daily operations of the Office of Military Services, including oversight of staff, student workers, and/or VA work-study students.

· Develop, implement, and assess strategic goals, policies, and procedures for military student support services.

· Maintain and analyze data to improve services and prepare internal and external reports as needed.

Other Duties

· Stay current with legislation and policy updates impacting on military students and educational benefits.

· Maintain professional development by attending relevant training and conferences.

· Perform additional duties as assigned by the Associate VP of Student Financial Services.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Required Skills and Attributes

Education

Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred

Minimum Experience

Three years' experience working within the U.S. military; One year of experience working higher education setting in an advisory, administrative, program coordination, recruiting or educational capacity strongly desired; Three to five years' experience working at an institution of higher education especially in the office of admissions and financial aid; Knowledge of military culture and veteran benefits, transitioning from the military to a civilian and/or college environment and the challenges of military-affiliated students. Understanding of how to market and recruit military students preferred. Knowledge of US Department of Veteran Affairs Educational Benefits and federal and state regulations pertaining to educational benefits for veterans/dependents. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, be computer literate with a working knowledge of Windows and MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc), and the ability to quickly learn and work with new computer software systems. Experience working with Higher Education Software (Jenzabar, Powerfaids, Slate) preferred. Must be able to work effectively independently and as part of a team.

Essential Job Functions

Certain jobs at Charleston Southern University may require specific physical and/or mental abilities and the hiring manager will provide additional information and provision of requests for reasonable accommodation if needed. Regular, on-time attendance is one essential job function of this position. This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

This position will remain open until filled.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter (if available), and faith statement and answer all mandatory application questions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

About CSU

Located near historic Charleston, South Carolina, Charleston Southern University is a comprehensive institution offering a liberal arts curriculum to over 3,600 students and offers over 60 majors and graduate programs in Education, Business, Criminal Justice, and Nursing.  The mission of the University is “promoting academic excellence in a Christian environment,” and the vision is to be a Christian University nationally recognized for integrating faith in learning, leading and serving.  Charleston Southern has nationally accredited programs in nursing, business, education, music and athletics, and a budget of approximately $60 million.  Affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, Charleston Southern employs faculty and staff who are professing Christians.  For more information about the University, please visit www.charlestonsouthern.edu. 

Charleston Southern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Charleston Southern University is a Christian university and tobacco-free campus. We do not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex, religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and University-administered programs. In order to fulfill its purpose, the University may discriminate on the basis of religion in employment. The University has been granted exemption from certain regulations promulgated under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which conflict with the University’s religious tenets and core values.