Manager - Cultural Center

Harper College•Palatine, IL

About The Position

Responsibilities Provides leadership, vision, and operational oversight for the Cultural Center and its programs, initiatives, and outreach efforts that foster a strong sense of belonging and inclusion across campus. Cultural Center Leadership & Operations Provides leadership and support for all functions of the Cultural Center, including programs, space operations, and outreach initiatives that promote belonging, engagement, and student well-being. Oversees the planning, staffing and programmatic development of the Cultural Center. Monitors and reviews financial reports, tracks expenditures and recommends appropriate budget adjustments. Manages day-to-day Cultural Center operations, including oversight of space use, seasonal and event-based décor, and the creation of welcoming environments that reflect cultural heritage months, commemorative events, and institutional priorities. Coordinates purchasing and logistical support for Center operations and events, including ordering food, refreshments, and supplies to support student engagement and programming. Creates and directs new initiatives, including assessment and reporting of key metrics to support enhancements within the Center and department. Maintains comprehensive records of current and past programming and oversees annual program planning for the department. Supports the Vice President in the implementation of campus strategic and operational plans. Manages the departmental email account. Student Staff Supervision & Development Hires, onboards, trains, supervises, and mentors a team of student aides supporting the Cultural Center and departmental initiatives. Designs and facilitates monthly professional development sessions for student aides focused on leadership development, equity-minded practices, and workplace readiness skills. Assigns and supervises student aide responsibilities, providing ongoing feedback, coaching, and performance support. Reviews and approves student employee timesheets and ensures compliance with institutional and departmental policies. Collaborates with student aides in the planning, coordination, and implementation of programs and services. Fosters a supportive, inclusive, and learning-centered work environment that promotes professional growth and accountability. Programming, Events & Initiatives Coordinates and leads campus-wide cultural programs and events in collaboration with the Vice President, departmental and campus partners. Develops, sponsors, and oversees a wide range of offerings including guest speakers, authors, films, lectures, performances, workshops, and dialogue series. Serves as lead for the annual campus-wide Diversity Symposium and other institutional workshops and events. Leads planning and implementation of select cultural heritage month celebrations and commemorative days in partnership with students and colleagues. Participates in campus-wide programming including Hullabaloo, Student Leadership Day, Fresh Check Day, Fall Fest, Admissions Acceptance Day, Student Club Expo, Resource to the Rescue and related events. Student & Employee Engagement Provides direct support to students and various student organizations, fostering an inclusive and affirming environment. Serves as an advocate for and liaison to student affinity groups and Employee Resource Groups. Convenes diverse stakeholders to respond to and address concerns and requests from students and colleagues. Develops programs that complement the academic experience, support identity exploration, and build leadership capacity among students and employees. Training, Education & Leadership Development Develops and facilitates annual trainings for students, faculty, and staff, including department-specific requests. Co-facilitates the Social Justice Leadership Certificate (SJLC) program, including curriculum development and updates, speaker coordination, retreat planning, program assessment, alumni engagement, website management, and end-of-year celebration logistics. Partners with the Social Justice Distinction Coordinator on program promotion and event collaboration. Collaboration, Communication & Governance Collaborates with departments, committees, and shared governance groups to enhance campus climate and support student and employee success. Serves as the departmental representative on a range of committees across campus. Marketing, Communications & Digital Presence Maintains the departmental website and social media accounts in collaboration with the coordinators and student aides. Leads collaborative efforts with Communications and Marketing to develop and implement departmental marketing, promotion, and news campaigns.

Requirements

Master of Education in Student Affairs Administration, Higher Education, College Personnel, Counseling, or related field.
Minimum of three years of experience in Multicultural Student Affairs/Diversity Equity and Inclusion/Success and Belonging, Student Engagement, Student Activities, or a related functional area within a higher education setting.
Excellent verbal and written skills, including the ability to draft reports, program materials and institutional communications.
Demonstrated ability to design programs and provide support for students from a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences.
Proven effectiveness in human relations, including the ability to work flexibly and collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners across diverse identities, perspectives, and roles.
Strong background in assessment and data-informed decision-making required.
Demonstrated professionalism, openness to feedback, and the ability to engage constructively across differing perspectives.
Knowledge of student development theory; identity development; and feminist and/or queer theory.
Experience with planning and implementing large-scale programs and events from initiation through assessment required.
Strong group facilitation and communication skills required.
Strong writing skills and experience with research are
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Canva, and social media and marketing platforms required.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate preferred.
Experience with research, data analysis and assessment desirable.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership, vision, and operational oversight for the Cultural Center and its programs, initiatives, and outreach efforts that foster a strong sense of belonging and inclusion across campus.
Provides leadership and support for all functions of the Cultural Center, including programs, space operations, and outreach initiatives that promote belonging, engagement, and student well-being.
Oversees the planning, staffing and programmatic development of the Cultural Center.
Monitors and reviews financial reports, tracks expenditures and recommends appropriate budget adjustments.
Manages day-to-day Cultural Center operations, including oversight of space use, seasonal and event-based décor, and the creation of welcoming environments that reflect cultural heritage months, commemorative events, and institutional priorities.
Coordinates purchasing and logistical support for Center operations and events, including ordering food, refreshments, and supplies to support student engagement and programming.
Creates and directs new initiatives, including assessment and reporting of key metrics to support enhancements within the Center and department.
Maintains comprehensive records of current and past programming and oversees annual program planning for the department.
Supports the Vice President in the implementation of campus strategic and operational plans.
Manages the departmental email account.
Hires, onboards, trains, supervises, and mentors a team of student aides supporting the Cultural Center and departmental initiatives.
Designs and facilitates monthly professional development sessions for student aides focused on leadership development, equity-minded practices, and workplace readiness skills.
Assigns and supervises student aide responsibilities, providing ongoing feedback, coaching, and performance support.
Reviews and approves student employee timesheets and ensures compliance with institutional and departmental policies.
Collaborates with student aides in the planning, coordination, and implementation of programs and services.
Fosters a supportive, inclusive, and learning-centered work environment that promotes professional growth and accountability.
Coordinates and leads campus-wide cultural programs and events in collaboration with the Vice President, departmental and campus partners.
Develops, sponsors, and oversees a wide range of offerings including guest speakers, authors, films, lectures, performances, workshops, and dialogue series.
Serves as lead for the annual campus-wide Diversity Symposium and other institutional workshops and events.
Leads planning and implementation of select cultural heritage month celebrations and commemorative days in partnership with students and colleagues.
Participates in campus-wide programming including Hullabaloo, Student Leadership Day, Fresh Check Day, Fall Fest, Admissions Acceptance Day, Student Club Expo, Resource to the Rescue and related events.
Provides direct support to students and various student organizations, fostering an inclusive and affirming environment.
Serves as an advocate for and liaison to student affinity groups and Employee Resource Groups.
Convenes diverse stakeholders to respond to and address concerns and requests from students and colleagues.
Develops programs that complement the academic experience, support identity exploration, and build leadership capacity among students and employees.
Develops and facilitates annual trainings for students, faculty, and staff, including department-specific requests.
Co-facilitates the Social Justice Leadership Certificate (SJLC) program, including curriculum development and updates, speaker coordination, retreat planning, program assessment, alumni engagement, website management, and end-of-year celebration logistics.
Partners with the Social Justice Distinction Coordinator on program promotion and event collaboration.
Collaborates with departments, committees, and shared governance groups to enhance campus climate and support student and employee success.
Serves as the departmental representative on a range of committees across campus.
Maintains the departmental website and social media accounts in collaboration with the coordinators and student aides.
Leads collaborative efforts with Communications and Marketing to develop and implement departmental marketing, promotion, and news campaigns.