Director of Campus Engagement and Student Programs

Widener University is currently seeking a Director of Campus Engagement and Student Programs in the Office of Student Engagement. This role reports to the Assistant Dean of Students for Student Engagement and will provide strategic leadership to student programming groups and initiatives including the Pride Activities Council, Pride Night Late Night and Weekend Program, Alternative Spring Break Program, Orientation Leader Program (CREW), and the INSPIRE Leadership Development Program. Additionally, the Director will provide oversight and leadership of the facility operations and room reservation processes for the University Center, Alumni Hall, and Lathem Hall including professional and staff selection and training, budget management, and systems implementation. The Director will serve as a professional resource by supporting and leading department or divisional initiatives and events; and by serving on designated University committees.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to) :

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Facilities Management and Operations

Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate one full-time Assistant Director, and approximately 30 student Building Managers. Direct all fiscal transactions for the operational budgets related to the University Center, Alumni Hall, and Lathem Hall including budget planning, expense tracking, and full account reconciliation on a bi-weekly basis. Direct all facility operations related to the University Center, Alumni Hall, Lathem Hall, and all outdoor event spaces including the execution of operating policies and procedures with a focus on patron satisfaction, safety and risk management, the care of cleaning of buildings and grounds, the operation of heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems, plumbing and electrical systems, roofing, and interior maintenance as needs arise. Maintain an effective working relationship with the Facilities Department, Housekeeping Department, Information Technology Services Department, and Controller’s Unit to coordinate critical facility projects, technical upgrades, and purchase equipment, furniture, or specialized services. Serve as a primary system administrator for the 25Live Room Reservation System by CollegeNet and administer the review and approval process for 2,000+ room reservations requests per year related to the University Center, Alumni Hall, Lathem Hall, and all outdoor event spaces; draft and distribute bi-weekly space utilization reports detailing room and resource usage data to select campus partners and constituents. Develop and manage the asset management programs for the University Center, Alumni Hall, and Lathem Hall including the inventory of furniture and fixtures. Develop and facilitate bi-weekly Facilities Coordination Team meetings with key campus constituents including Residence Life, Student Engagement, Athletics, Registrar, Campus Safety, Facilities, and Information Technology Services. Develop and implement revenue generating initiatives to support University Center Administration programs and services including room rentals, camps, conferences, and other special events.

New Student Orientation Program Operations

Work jointly with the Assistant Dean of Students to develop, plan, implement, and assess all undergraduate new and transfer orientation programs working collaboratively with a variety of campus partners and groups. Develop, maintain and assess an Online Orientation program for students unable to attend orientation in person. Coordinate first-year and second-year retention initiatives with internal and external campus partners in support student belonging. Oversee the development and maintenance of all New Student Orientation web pages, social media accounts, and online modules. Recruit, select, train, supervise and evaluate undergraduate student Orientation Leaders (CREW) to assist with all New Student Orientation Programs. Serve on the First-Year Experience Committee and coordinate efforts between faculty working groups and staff colleagues, as needed.

Campus Programming and Engagement

Ensure a diverse programming schedule is implemented that includes weekly events, evening programs, weekend alternative programming, and major campus traditions including Welcome Week, Homecoming Week, and Spring Fling. Direct all components of the Alternative Spring Break Program including contract review, budget management, event oversight, student leader selection and training, fiscal management, event planning and management, risk management, program advertisement, leadership development, and transition programs. Direct all components of the INSPIRE Leadership Development Program including the management of the Apogee Scholars Program, Courage Day, Fall High School Leadership Workshop, and the facilitation of leadership program series, and campus-based conferences. Work jointly with the Assistant Dean of Students, and the Dean of the School of Business Administration, to develop shared leadership program outcomes, practices, guidelines, and opportunities for the Oskin Leadership Certificate Program and related programs. Evaluate, compile, and analyze data related to student participation and program evaluation by implementing strategic assessment initiatives.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:

Work collaboratively with the professional staff in the Office of Student Engagement to plan and implement signature department-sponsored events including the Student Involvement Fairs, Student Leadership Awards, Organization Leadership Retreats, and other office or campus initiatives. Promote and support evening, late night, and weekend programming initiatives by sharing covering with other professional staff members in the Office of Student Engagement. Work jointly with the Assistant Dean of Students with all departmental or divisional strategic planning, goal setting, data collection, and assessment activities by administering surveys, test groups, or leading discussions to collect qualitative data and feedback. Work collaboratively with campus departments outside of the Division of Student Engagement & Transformation to develop and execute educational or cultural programming for students, faculty, and staff. Update and maintain all webpages related to the operation of the Office of Student Engagement including webpage creation, the execution of timely updates, and web or social media content coordination with the University Relations Department. Perform other duties as needed and related to the functions of the Office of Student Engagement and the Division of Student Engagement & Transformation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education, training and experience required):

Required:

Master’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Higher Education Administration or Leadership plus 5 years of professional work experience in student activities, major campus programming, orientation programs, event management, and facilities management. A combination of education, experience and other factors may be considered in lieu of requirements.  Experience in designing, facilitating, and assessing large-scale or campus-wide programming including New Student Orientation, Homecoming, Parent and Family Programs, Campus Traditions, and other related high-impact institution-level programs. Experience in designing, facilitating, and assessing leadership development programming for undergraduate students and student organizations. High level of energy and initiative, and willing and able to work with minimal supervision while contributing positively to a cooperative, high-functioning team. Must be able to work efficiently in a demanding environment with demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks and demands. Experience with creating and facilitating programming, promotional or informational materials, public speaking, and leading training programs and workshops. Experience with budget planning, management, expense tracking, and account reconciliation. Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality of privileged information and perform duties that require tact, independent judgment, diplomacy, and discretion. Demonstrated organization and planning skills; strong follow-up and follow-through skills to ensure completion of goals and objectives. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as skill in presenting effectively to various audiences and facilitating group processes. Superior interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to effectively interact with campus constituents and maintain a strong rapport throughout the year Flexibility to regularly work evenings and weekends to achieve objectives of the position; ability and willingness to travel on behalf of the university, including trips requiring overnight stays as needed Demonstrated problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and the ability to analyze components and arrive at a logical course of action while knowing when to ask for assistance or direction Ability to assess students’ needs and resolve student leadership, programming, or group dynamic challenges by adapting individual programming and leadership skills to the campus culture Advance proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher), OneDrive, Adobe applications, desktop publishing (Canvas or Adobe InDesign, and in the use of internet browser and search engines.

Preferred (in addition to required qualifications):

Master’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Higher Education Administration or Leadership plus 6 - 8 years of professional work experience in student activities, major campus programming, event management, and facilities management. A combination of education, experience and other factors may be considered in lieu of requirements.  Demonstrated knowledge of standard risk management practices in campus programming Demonstrated knowledge of operations management related to campus-owned facilities

Physical Requirements and / or Unusual Work Hours:

Frequent evening and weekend hours are required. Ability to drive university-owed vans to transport students to events Lifting up to 25 lbs. Frequent walking, standing and climbing stairs Good manual dexterity Ability to be mobile between workstation and other buildings on campus Some travel is required as related to the programs in the Office of Student Engagement Widener University is currently piloting a flexible work program. This role may be eligible to participate in the pilot if deemed suited. 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.

Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy. 

Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at

EOE M/F/V/D

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