American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Time Type:

Job Type:

FLSA Status:

Summary:

The Executive Director for Student Engagement and Student Center reports to the Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Success and provides leadership and administrative oversight for the Mary Graydon Student Center, the Center for Student Involvement, University Event Scheduling, The Bridge Café, and Student Engagement Strategic Initiatives. This position supports the student engagement portfolio in the absence of Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement & Success and is responsible for strategic development and the execution of key programs, policies, and initiatives that foster inclusive and vibrant student experiences. The Executive Director ensures alignment with university mission and strategic priorities. The Executive Director oversees programming, student development, student engagement, facility management, budget administration, revenue generation, manages the allocation, distribution, and expenditure process for the undergraduate and graduate student activity fees, in collaboration with the AVP, while supervising a team of professional and student staff. This position will serve on university-wide committees and work collaboratively with campus partners to support Student Affairs initiatives at the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Success. The position requires a high-level collaboration, strategic planning, flexibility, innovation, cross-functional coordination, excellent change management skills, and strong resource management skills, to promote student engagement, development, and success. This position serves as the advisor for the American University Student Government.

Essential Functions:

1.) Leadership, Supervision, and Facilities and Space Management

• Leads the strategic vision of the areas under their supervision (Mary Graydon Student Center, the Center for Student Involvement, University Event Scheduling, The Bridge Café, and Student Engagement Strategic Initiatives) that aligns the goals with the overarching Student Engagement portfolio and the University’s strategic plan. Implements a vibrant array of student engagement experiences beyond the classroom designed to build campus community, cultivate belonging, involvement and engagement, and foster student development. Directs the recruitment, selection, hiring, training, professional development, and evaluation of professional and student staff. Develops performance standards, reviews, and makes performance evaluations, provides guidance to staff, and approves personnel actions in accordance with university policies. Advocates for Student Center facilities and operational needs within university planning groups and external stakeholders. In conjunction with the Sr. Associate Director for the Mary Graydon Student Center, serves as a primary contact for space assignments, utilization, tracking, and facility operations within the Division of Student Affairs. Negotiates and coordinates space-related decisions, submitting requests to the University Space Management Committee with necessary documentation to support additional space needs. Acts as the division’s liaison for complex projects and events, including new university and college facilities, new engagement programs and campus traditions. Facilitate building operations for Student Affairs-assigned facilities, ensuring the smooth functioning of the Mary Graydon Student Center. Serves as an emergency contact for the university and develops operational procedures for Mary Graydon and Butler Pavilion facilities. This position directly supervises the Sr. Associate Director for the Mary Graydon Student Center, Sr. Associate Director for Training and Development, Assistant Director for University Event Scheduling, Assistant Director of Finance, Associate Director, Student Programs and Signature Events and Associate Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life.

2.) Program Development, Assessment, Education, and Engagement

• Provides senior leadership and strategic direction for campus activities, student engagement, and student organization development. This role oversees the design and implementation of campus-wide initiatives that foster involvement, belonging, and student success. Responsibilities include managing program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts and developing recognition and incentive programs for student organizations. The Executive Director also identifies and secures external revenue sources, including sponsorships, partnerships, and grants, which includes grant writing work. Direct and assign advising for student organizations cohorts, initiatives and space utilization for complex events. Develop and implement a strong student leadership cohort program, in conjunction with campus partners. Manage, leverage, and implement the University’s student engagement platforms to drive co-curricular involvement and group development. Lead trainings and workshops about university policies regarding space, reservations, event planning, tabling, and support. Assist in overseeing the university’s space management software to streamline event scheduling and reservations. Establishes learning outcomes and leads departmental evaluation and assessment efforts; develops measures tools and reports; gathers, reviews, and analyzes data regarding student involvement, and develops and implements alternative procedures to improve performance and meet department goals. Develop and implement strategies to expand the capacity of The Bridge Café, including integrating new technologies to enhance operations and drive revenue growth. Lead efforts to continuously improve and expand key initiatives such as The Farmers Market on the Quad, the Mary Graydon Student Center Lost and Found, vendor partnerships for table and space rentals, vendor sponsorships, Eagles at Night, Welcome Weeks, student traditions, Student Achievement Awards, signature department and student lead programming, and other innovative programs that foster student engagement.

3.) Administration and Budget Management

• Chairs the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) for the undergraduate student fee and manages process for graduate and undergraduate activity fee allocation. Manage the department’s annual operating budget, restricted accounts, and endowment accounts related to student governance cohorts, the Mary Graydon Student Center and Bridge Café operations. Lead revenue generation efforts by securing internal and external financial resources, establishing financial policies and procedures, negotiating contracts, rentals, and ensuring compliance with university, state, and federal regulations. Review and approve contracts as needed for student fee-funded and office initiatives. Lead department’s risk management preparation and planning, in conjunction with the appropriate departments to ensure student led events and programs meet university guidelines and policies. Provide timely responses rooted in critical thinking, inclusive excellence, and care for issues and crises. Prepare manuals, reports, proposals, and other documents to further Student Engagement goals and maintain institutional records. Collaborate with Student Affairs and other university departments to develop and implement initiatives that enhance student engagement. Collaborate closely with the Dean of Students and Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution Services to uphold university policies related to student organizations and space use.

4.) Strategic Initiatives and Collaboration

• The Executive Director supports the AVP, Student Engagement by overseeing trainings, event coordination, conference management, and program development. They assist in translating organizational strategy into actionable plans, ensuring the timely execution of high-priority initiatives that address student and community needs. This role facilitates cross-functional collaboration within Student Engagement, integrating program and service delivery across departments. The Executive Director assists in organizing teams, defines roles, and ensures progress toward program and project goals. They manage complex university projects by developing timelines, conducting research, performing analyses, and providing recommendations. Additionally, they lead the annual review, drafting, and updating protocols, policies, and guidance for Student Engagement, including policy reviews and handbooks. A key responsibility includes assessing departmental services, evaluating campus needs, resources, and national trends to inform operational planning, innovation and change management. The Executive Director establishes student learning outcomes aligned with the division’s mission and strategic goals and supports initiatives such as the Student Engagement Retreat, Strategic Planning, New Eagle Survey implementation, Student Employee learning outcomes across the portfolio, and DSA Graduate Assistantship Program. Further, the Executive Director provides strategic support to divisional leadership, collaborating with university-wide partners to enhance student success and student life services through data-driven decision-making. The Director serves as a resource for the Student Affairs Leadership Team, offering expertise in event management, student organizations, student governance, and student-centered programming. They establish and maintain strong campus relationships to promote student engagement, success, campus pride and traditions, and retention. Support major division and university-wide programs, including but not limited to, Commencement, Family Weekend, Move-In, New Student Orientation, Family and Supporters Orientation, etc. As a member of the Division of Student Affairs, this position may advise recognized student organizations as needed. Serve as a member of the Student Activism Support Team (SAST), contributing to coordinated response and support efforts during student demonstrations and activism-related events. Additionally, they represent the department on Student Affairs and university-wide committees, including the Student Thriving and Retention Action Team, as well as other workgroups and committees as directed by the Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Success.

5.) On-Call

• Provide on-call consultation and support for student engagement-related emergencies, including interpersonal conflicts and issues arising during student and RSO programs and events.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• This position will supervise professional staff.

Competencies:

• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.

• Developing Plans.

• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.

• Building and Supporting Teams.

• Managing Talent.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.

• 35 hours week.

• Staff will work on an adjusted work schedule as needed, including late nights and weekends.

Salary Range:

• $125,000.00 - $135,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Master's degree or equivalent.

• 8 - 10 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• PhD or equivalent.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Inclusive Excellence: An ability to welcome, value, and affirm individuals of all identities and experiences, and a commitment to ensure they are understood, appreciated, and fully included in the university community.

• Discretion, Tact and Diplomacy: Ability to exercise discretion, tact and diplomacy while interacting with students, faculty, university staff, management, internship employers and other stakeholders on confidential and/or sensitive matters.

• Advanced Communication: Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, using language with precision; constructing logical arguments; accurate note taking, editing and summarizing; and writing reports or correspondence free of spelling and grammatical errors. Ability to engage in active and empathetic listening and communicate with a service minded orientation.

• Thoroughness in Reviewing Work: Ability to review one’s own and others work and information to ensure completeness and accuracy; carefully prepare for meetings and presentations; organize information or materials for others; follow up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled; and set up procedures to ensure high quality of work.

• Student Services Skills: Ability to serve as bridge to services, intervene and/or advocate on students’ behalf with offices across campus to support needs, drive engagement and empower students to achieve their goals.

• Diagnostic Information Gathering: Ability to seek out relevant people to obtain information; probe skillfully to get at the facts when others are reluctant to disclose the full details; ask clarifying questions; and gain a complete and accurate picture by checking multiple sources.

• Standard Office Software: Skill using email, word processing, spreadsheet / data analysis and presentation development software applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint while preparing briefings, reports, and presentations.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.