Director of Student Engagement

Job Description

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an independent, culturally diverse institution providing quality education and research in aviation, aerospace, engineering, and other related fields with residential campuses located in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona. The University’s Worldwide campus provides educational opportunities online and at approximately 130 locations throughout the United States, Asia, Europe, and Central/South America.

As the largest and most comprehensive aviation and aerospace-focused university in the world, Embry-Riddle is a unique institution. Over the past 90 years, the University has evolved with industry to break new ground and produce top-level graduates who serve the ever-changing needs of aviation and aerospace and other STEM-related disciplines. Embry-Riddle offers programs in seven primary fields of study including: Applied Science; Aviation; Business; Computers and Technology; Engineering; Safety, Security, and Intelligence; and Space.

For Academic Year 2021-22, there were over 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students that attended the University’s residential campuses and approximately 20,195 students in total enrolled with the University around the world.

The Opportunity:

The Director of Student Engagement is directly responsible for the oversight, supervision, development, coordination, assessment, and strategic growth of a comprehensive co-curricular student engagement and student activities program designed to address the social and developmental needs of students on the ERAU-Prescott Campus. The Department of Student Engagement is responsible for fall and spring Orientation programs, Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs), advising of selected student groups, campus-wide student events, Fraternity and Sorority Life, student leadership programs, and Parent and Family Programs. The Director also oversees the daily and functional operations of the Student Union, including recruiting, hiring, training, and supervision of student staff.

 

This is a full-time, twelve-month, exempt position.

Administrative Oversight

• Provide vision, mission, and purpose for the Department of Student Engagement within the Division of Student Affairs, the Dean of Students leadership team, and the ERAU-Prescott Campus.
• Provide supervision, leadership, and administrative oversight to Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs), student events that fall within the purview of the department, Fraternity and Sorority Life, student leadership programs, and fall and spring Orientation programs for students.
• Oversee the advising of all Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs); meet with and train student leaders and advisors as necessary.
• Create and present workshops for students, organizations, and advisors.
• Assist with the administration of the student organization conduct process in collaboration with the Dean of Students Office.
• Maintain the Eagle Life database for student organizations and events.
• Plan and schedule activities throughout the year to create social and developmental learning opportunities for students.
• Serve as a key member of the campus events committee.
• Review and update departmental policies and procedures; assist in the periodic review and update of relevant campus policies and publications including the Student Handbook.
• Provide leadership and supervision to the assistant director responsible for Parent and Family Programs.
• Provide leadership, oversight, and encouragement for departmental diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Stay current on regional and national trends in student affairs, student engagement, and student activities in higher education

Staff Supervision and Development  

• Responsible for the recruitment, selection, and training of all departmental staff, including two full-time, master’s-level assistant directors and numerous student staff.
• Meet regularly with professional staff to provide guidance and supervision.
• Conduct formal evaluations with professional staff annually; oversee and implement an evaluation process for student staff.
• Create and implement individualized and department-wide professional development opportunities for professional and student staff.

Orientation Programs

• Responsible for leading, conceptualizing, developing, and implementing fall and spring Orientation programs for students. 
• Recruit, select, train, and supervise over 20 student Orientation Leaders (OLs).
• Coordinate effectively with various campus stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of Orientation programs, including stakeholders from academic affairs, the campus events committee, facilities, the Chancellor’s Office, and ROTC.
• Participate as one of many campus stakeholders in planning for campus opening activities at the start of the fall and spring semesters.

Student Leadership Programs

• Develop, coordinate, and implement campus-wide leadership development programs for students, including the L.E.A.D. program.
• Plan, organize, manage, promote, and host an annual campus-wide leadership awards/recognition ceremony.

Student Union Operations 

• Responsible for Student Union desk operations, including the selection, management, training, and scheduling of student employees.
• Manage building operations, usage, and work order requests to ensure appropriate facility quality for the campus.
• Ensure that Student Union services are provided effectively and within operational budgets.
• Oversee the management of Student Union games, game systems, and other entertainment equipment.
• Maintain open communication with other stakeholders (e.g. Sodexo) who operate programs and services in the building.
• Maintain Student Union bulletin boards.
• Provide leadership for the building in emergencies.
• Provide leadership as needed in the development, building, and opening of new Student Union facilities on campus.

Budget

• Serve as the Budget Manager for the Department of Student Engagement and all activities within the department; integrate strategic planning initiatives into overall departmental programming and support service efforts.
• Manage and create operational budgets for the Department of Student Engagement and Orientation programs. 
• Oversee purchasing and the proper processing of all departmental budget and purchasing requests.

Additional Support to the Division of Student Affairs, Campus, and University

• Serve on and/or provide leadership for relevant campus or university committees as assigned.
• Serve as an advisor to specific student organizations, including the Student Government Association (SGA), as assigned.
• Assist the Dean of Students and other officials as needed with relevant projects or tasks as assigned.

Assessment

• Coordinate and lead comprehensive and topic-specific assessment efforts for Department of Student Engagement programming.
• Maintain adequate records for student organizations, events, and programs, for the purposes of assessment.

Qualifications

Required Education

Master’s Degree: Area of Study – Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, or related

Required Work Related Experience

5-10 years

Required skills, knowledge, abilities

• Strong organizational, technology, supervisory, and administrative skills
• Experience in college or university student activities office and/or working with recognized student organizations
• Ability to work with a diverse student population and foster an inclusive community

Preferred:

• Leadership experience in a college or university student activities office
• Experience supervising full-time professional staff
• Experience with online records management software
• Involvement in local, state, and/or national professional student activities organization(s)