11139 - Associate Director of Student Activities and Leadership

POSITION OBJECTIVE

As a member of the Student Activities and Leadership management team, this individual assumes responsibility in the absence of the Director and assists in the implementation of a diverse and comprehensive program of social, recreational, educational and cultural activities for all students at Case Western Reserve University.

The Associate Director is the primary advisor to the University Program Board (UPB), which includes advising the use of the largest allocation of the Student Activities Fee (approximately $600,000). The associate director will serve as the Risk Management Project Manager, and as an expert consultant with the Director to over 250 student risk managers. This includes the development of excellent training programs and managing weekly meetings with student organization risk managers. Significant responsibility for assessing the impact of the Student Activities and Leadership office programs and services through the use of Qualtrics. This position serves, advises students and supports departmental and student organization use of the university’s community engagement platform CampusGroups. The associate director supervises two professional staff positions and one graduate student intern. This position serves as the Chief Risk Manager for the UPB and the Senior Week Committee (coordinating a minimum of seven programs during this week). This individual is an active part of the leadership team within the department leading strategic planning, professional staff development and graduate student intern recruitment and training.

Building a welcoming and inclusive community is the foundation of the work we do as professionals working with students. Fully including people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives helps us all thrive by working together, focusing on our collective well-being and helping students gain insight from their academic endeavors and real-world experiences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Advise the University Program Board (UPB). Provide developmental resources to empower students in the planning, risk management, marketing, implementing, data collection and evaluation of a well-balanced and successful series of events. In coordination with the graduate assistant, attend all UPB events, which include but are not limited to, on-campus events, select off-campus, Cleveland events, Fall and Spring Break trips, and regional or national conferences. UPB’s allocated budget is approximately $500,000. (20%)
2. Initiate, implement, and provide direction to the department leadership team regarding core assessment projects in response to the department and division strategic plan. Assess utilization of services, student satisfaction, student learning, student engagement, personal development, and the campus environment. Collect, analyze and report on data regarding student engagement activities obtained through departmental and student organization use of CampusGroups. Serve on the divisional assessment committee which is directly involved in the divisional strategic plan. Make recommendations of courses of actions for programs and services in response to assessment findings (i.e., targeting underserved populations, efforts to improve success and prioritization for on-going or new funding). Provide guidance to student groups and advisers in support of student survey design, data collection, analysis and reporting. (15%)
3. In order to protect the university from potential risk incurred through the student organizations, serve as an expert consultant in Risk Management. This includes the development of training programs for approximately 260 risk managers serving within each student organization. Responsible for creating opportunities of engagement and learning with these student leaders including workshops, email communication, and other outreach. Along with the Director, responsible for training new Student Activities and Leadership professional staff in risk management. In order to remain highly effective in this area, this position works closely with the Offices of General Counsel and Compliance. Responsible for conducting meetings to review the Alcohol Use Report, travel waivers or review other high-risk events to help organizations in creating sound risk- management plans. (15%)
4. Provide direction to the Senior Week planning committee. Guide the planning, risk management, marketing, financial responsibilities, and implementation associated with this annual week of events. Oversee the completion of university requisitions, disbursements, internal charges and deposits for Senior Week for authorization and approval by the director. Serve as the primary processor of all contracts and technical riders initiated through Senior Week’s allocated budget is approximately $70,000. (10%)
5. Directly supervise two professional staff members and one graduate student intern. (8%)
6. Serve as a risk management specialist for the approximately 270 to 290 undergraduate and graduate student organizations served through the Student Activities and Leadership. Serve as the Chief Risk Manager for all events developed for the University Program Board, Homecoming activities, and Senior Week. Responsible for overseeing the completion and advising of the Alcohol Use Report process and risk management steps for all events as needed. Responsible for training student leaders on travel waivers and other elements of creating sound risk management plans. (8%)
7. Responsible for leading the recruitment, selection and training of the Student Activities and Leadership Graduate Student Interns; a team of four graduate students who serve as part time employees of the department. This includes coordinating continued professional development and overseeing scheduling and performance reviews. (6%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Responsible for the development and training of all student organization faculty and staff advisors. This includes, but is not limited to, training, recruiting, marketing and celebrations associated with their support and development. (4%)
2. Lead the department (in consultation with the director) in the development and delivery of a divisional and departmental strategic planning process. (3%)
3. Provide financial consultation to Thwing Study Over and Senior Week, two standalone committees under the UPB umbrella. This includes budget reconciliation and ensuring sound stewardship of financial resources. Their combined allocated budget is approximately $80,000. (3%)
4. Participate in departmental and university development programs including, but not limited to Diversity 360, Sustained Dialogue, Emerging Leaders Program, Fall Leadership Conference, and the Pytte Cup. (3%)  
5. Assist in the daily operation of the Office of Student Activities and Leadership. (1%)
6. Serve on university and divisional committees as assigned. (1%)
7. Maintain an awareness of current trends in the student activities field. Use this knowledge to consult with student organizations as needed/requested. (1%)
8. Participate in professional organizations (as approved by the director) and attend conferences and seminars. (1%)
9. Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with all office staff for the purpose of executing the office mission.

University: High volume contact with other offices within Student Affairs; Continual contact with the following University Departments/Offices: Tinkham Veale University Center staff and offices; General Counsel; Alumni Affairs; Facilities and Operations (Housekeeping, Grounds and Maintenance, Plant Services); Campus Access Services (Parking, Security); Educational Enhancement, New Student and Family Programs; Controllers Office; Accounts Payable; and university faculty for the purpose of collaboration and executing student programs.

External: Continual contact with program agencies in the negotiations and booking of various entertainment and lectures. Contact with Cleveland area organizations in the development of programs that involve community outreach or community service, including University Circle Incorporated. Continual contact with vendors for the purchase of t-shirts, novelty items, etc. Contact with Cleveland-based stage and lighting companies. Professional contact with dozens of area colleges and universities and also those outside of Ohio for the purpose of collaboration and sharing best practices.

Students: Daily contact with the members of UPB. Daily contact with other members of student clubs and organizations. Strong collaboration involving student organizations outside of Student Activities and Leadership. All for the purpose of the development and delivery of programming at Case Western Reserve University.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Responsible in the recruitment and supervision of two professional staff persons, one graduate assistant intern and any assigned undergraduate student interns.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 3 to 5 years of demonstrated experience with programming, event planning and working with a student population required. Experience with risk management advising and contracting is a must.

Education: Master’s degree required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Must possess a strong philosophy in student engagement and student activities.
2. Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and maintain a work environment that is marked by inclusiveness and respect for others.
3. Experience in programming and work in a college union/student center setting is strongly desirable.
4. Strong background in leadership development programming and group dynamics
5. Effective communication and organizational skills and ability to relate well to students is necessary.
6. Must be able to assist in the personal development of student leaders.
7. The ability to develop a team environment is a must.
8. Basic familiarity with Microsoft Office suite applications, email, internet navigation and social media is required. (Any experience with PeopleSoft and/or CampusGroups would be a plus)
9. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
10. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Typical student center/union work environment. Individual must be willing to work evenings and weekends. High concentrations of student traffic and working with students needs and interests. Due to high traffic volume, the individual is expected to assist as a team player in the management of the main office.