Associate Director for Student Engagement - Center for Student Engagement - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

3d•$68,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director serves as a senior leader within the department, directly supervising two Assistant Directors who oversee registered student organizations and campus programming. This position is responsible for developing and leading department-wide processes that ensure consistency in student training and leadership development, communications and outreach, calendar building, program planning, budget management, and assessment initiatives. The Associate Director for Student Engagement helps provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and vision for the Center for Student Engagement. Serving as a key member of the department’s leadership team, this position functions as the senior leader in the Director’s absence and plays a central role in advancing the Center’s mission to foster student involvement and sense of belonging. This role leads comprehensive efforts related to recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing student staff development. The Associate Director establishes and maintains departmental policies, processes, and training resources to ensure consistent, high-quality practices across all functional areas. The position leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive assessment strategy, utilizing data to evaluate programs and initiatives, inform decision-making, and drive continuous improvement. This includes oversight of student engagement platforms and monitoring departmental outcomes and key performance indicators. In partnership with Student Life Communications, the Associate Director develops and executes a strategic communications and marketing plan that includes digital media, print materials, newsletters, website content, and social media engagement. This includes coordinating internal processes for graphic design, social media content management, distribution of digital and print marketing materials, and campus and community communications. The role cultivates strong relationships with campus and community partners to advance collaborative programming and sponsorship opportunities as well as represents the department on institutional committees and at campus events. Additionally, the Associate Director supports fiscal stewardship of the department by monitoring budget processes, tracking expenditures, coordinating reporting, and assisting with contracts and large-scale program logistics.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education, Counseling, College Student Personnel, or other related field
5 years of relevant, progressively responsible experience in student life, higher education administration, campus activities, student organization advising, or related area
2 years as a Graduate Assistant/Intern is equal to 1 year of professional experience
Demonstrated knowledge and application of student development, leadership, and engagement theory
Ability to show initiative and make sound decisions
Ability to work and collaborate with internal and external constituents to foster positive productive relationships and build strong report to further advance departmental vision and mission
Excellent oral and written communication
Strong work ethic, organization, and initiative
Experience with event and retreat planning
Strong student advocacy skills
Specialized knowledge of working with campus and community partners

Nice To Haves

Professional experience in student engagement
Considerable experience in program planning and student affairs at the college level
Direct oversight and coordination of large-scale campus programs
Experience with student training and development
Experience marketing campus events
Experience with graphic design using Canva or other systems
Proficiency in Microsoft Teams
Working knowledge of Blackthorn, Encoura, Baseline, other student engagement software platforms
Knowledge of large-scale event planning, including production and contract negotiations
Understanding of social media content management platforms and creative systems such as Buffer, Adobe, and Canva

Responsibilities

Supervising two Assistant Directors who oversee registered student organizations and campus programming.
Developing and leading department-wide processes that ensure consistency in student training and leadership development, communications and outreach, calendar building, program planning, budget management, and assessment initiatives.
Providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and vision for the Center for Student Engagement.
Functioning as the senior leader in the Director’s absence.
Advancing the Center’s mission to foster student involvement and sense of belonging.
Leading comprehensive efforts related to recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, and ongoing student staff development.
Establishing and maintaining departmental policies, processes, and training resources.
Leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive assessment strategy.
Developing and executing a strategic communications and marketing plan.
Cultivating strong relationships with campus and community partners.
Supporting fiscal stewardship of the department by monitoring budget processes, tracking expenditures, coordinating reporting, and assisting with contracts and large-scale program logistics.