Director of Student Engagement

Leadership & Supervision

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  Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for a campus-wide approach to student engagement that fosters inclusion, belonging, well-being, and persistence from enrollment through graduation.

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  Supervise professional and student staff, manage budgets and resources, and ensure efficient, mission-aligned operations across the Student Engagement portfolio.

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  Oversee hiring, training, and evaluation of staff and student employees within the Office of Student Engagement.

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  Contribute to departmental strategic planning, priority setting, assessment, and planning for future growth.

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  Coordinate implementation of selected department-wide priorities, establishing timelines, clarifying responsibilities, tracking progress, and keeping the Dean informed of emerging issues.

Student Engagement

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  Direct the development and implementation of an annual calendar of student programs consistent with the strategic plan of both the Department of Student Life and the College overall. Program development will touch on social, recreational and cultural themes and include program design, implementation and evaluation.

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  Provide primary staff supervision for all registered student clubs and student-led organizations to ensure compliance with college guidelines and assist in creating strategies to enhance their visibility.

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  Serve as the primary advisor to the Student Government Association, guiding student leaders in building effective governance structures, advocacy initiatives, and cross-campus collaborations that promote involvement and amplify the student voice.

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  Assess the effectiveness of engagement programs and broader student experience initiatives; compile and analyze data for reports, identify trends and gaps, and work with colleagues to improve services and outcomes for students.

Collaboration

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  Collaborate with colleagues within Student Life and across the College to support integrated student success strategies, including Living Learning Communities and other cross-functional programs and initiatives.

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  Lead or work collaboratively with counterparts to coordinate major cross-functional initiatives, including New Student Orientation, Welcome Week, Open House, and other priorities designated by the Dean of Student Life.

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  Convene and facilitate cross-functional teams when needed to address issues that span multiple areas of the student experience.

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  Serve on the Enrollment and Experience Council and other committees or working groups as assigned, contributing to institutional strategies for student persistence and graduation.

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  Work closely with the Dean of Student Life and maintain strong communication with the Dean of Curriculum to coordinate priorities across academic and Student Life domains. Represent the Department of Student Life in meetings and initiatives as designated by the Dean.

Compliance & Risk Management

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  Ensure compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations related to student life, health, and safety.

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  Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive campus environment.

Budget & Resource Management

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  Support coordinated planning across Student Life by reviewing relevant budgets, identifying shared resource needs, and providing guidance on effective allocation.

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  Identify and support opportunities for grants, partnerships, and external funding that enhance student services and advance departmental priorities.

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs or related field required.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Student Engagement, Campus Activities or Student Affairs

• Proven success advising student organizations and/or student government bodies.

• Demonstrated ability to apply and utilize analytics to evaluate engagement and inform program strategy.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise diverse teams and manage complex programs.

• Strong understanding of student development theory, engagement strategies, and retention practices.

• Commitment to inclusive, community-based, and experiential education.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstration of leadership skills and ability to build effective professional collaborative working relationships across departments and with external partners.

• Enthusiasm and skilled at working with diverse student populations.

• Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive workplace.

• Ability to navigate complex challenges and demonstrate sharp problem-solution skills by analyzing situations, determining next steps, and implementing solutions.

• Demonstrated skill in effectively organizing work, files, records, etc., to maintain efficient workflow and robust processes.

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

• Strong computer skills and ability to use varied data sources and current Microsoft Office Suite.

• Present themselves outside the College in a manner in keeping with the College’s core values

• This position will require evening and weekend work as needed throughout the academic year.

Environmental Conditions?

• Work is consistently performed in an indoor office setting with normal temperature ranges for the season.???

• Traditional noise of a busy office setting can be expected.??

Lifting and Carrying

• Ability to regularly lift up to 10 lbs.

• Frequent lifting and carrying of light to moderate office equipment (laptop or meeting materials) weight items.?

Mobility

• Prolonged sitting majority of the workday to complete responsibilities.??

• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel?to pick up items as necessary.

• Climbing various staircases across the campus to engage in meetings and/or presentations.??

Dexterity and Hand-Eye Coordination

• Manual dexterity for handling small office-related objects.?

• Fine motor skills for work performed on laptop.

• Infrequent need to reach overhead or below knee level to perform work duties.?

Sensory Requirements

• Good vision, including color vision, with corrective lenses as necessary. ??

• Good hearing with assistive devices as necessary. ??

Paul Smith’s College is an equal opportunity employer. Position descriptions are created that focus on essential functions, using inclusive language, and avoid unnecessary or discriminatory requirements.

We are reviewing candidates immediately and expect this search to move quickly!