The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) department of Student Life & Leadership (SLL) seeks a dynamic individual to serve as its Assistant Director of Student Union and Campus Programming. The Assistant Director reports directly to the Director of the department, which is housed in Student Affairs at UAA. The Assistant Director leads professional staff and the programs and services they coordinate to meet department, division, and university priorities. In addition, the Assistant Director has oversight for the Student Union Operations, including the development and implementation of an esports lounge. Overall, the Assistant Director serves as an integral member of a student-centered team, whose mission is to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment in the Student Union, as well as an engaged campus community at UAA.
Duties:
ESPORTS COORDINATION - Provide oversight and leadership to the development and implementation of UAA's eSports student activities program. This includes creating a vision for an eSports gaming area from repurposing existing space. Manage overall eSport program, including promoting by the website, producing print media, live-streaming/recording events, and creating interest on- and off-campus among prospective students, current students, faculty, and staff, and campus visitors.
FISCAL MANAGEMENT – Develop and manage budgets and reports and have signature authority of Fund 1 accounts associated with the Student Union, Student Activities, and Commuter Programs. Development budget projections and manage expenditure and revenue budgets of approximately $1M for these primarily self-supporting areas of the department. Lead the Student Activities Fee review process and promote the development of new revenue streams for the Student Union and campus programming. Direct and manage professional staff to ensure their understanding of budget development processes and compliance with UAA and UA policies for budget management. In conjunction with the Director of Student Life & Leadership, forecast needs and advocate on behalf of the resources necessary to meet Student Union and other departmental needs. In partnership with the Student Union Operations Coordinator and Fiscal Coordinator, serve as a lead for the Student Union’s student building managers, coffee shop manager, and fiscal managers.
FACILITIES AND EVENT MANAGEMENT – Direct and manage professional staff to ensure the successful operations of the Student Union as the welcoming hub of campus, including facilities and event management. In conjunction with the Student Union Operations Coordinator, serve as a liaison to Facilities and serve as Student Union Building Manager. Assist Emergency Management with annual building evacuations and with the development of the Student Union Emergency Plan. Guide and manage staff to perform regular building checks and report issues as needed to ensure the safety, security, and accessibility of the Student Union. Provide vision and direction for the long-term management of the Student Union, including assisting with the development of a multi-year plan for building enhancements. Lead efforts to establish building policies and procedures such as opening/closing the building, building access for staff, digital/print posting policies, event reservations/cancellations, etc. Provide professional level advising to the Student Union Advisory Board, which provides student input on building operations and decisions. Manage vendor relations for the Student Union to ensure that long-term, fiscally-solvent relationships are development and maintained. Oversee event management for a broad range of programs, events, and meetings that take place in the Student Union, Serve as the primary event manager for large-scale programming in the Student Union and for the building’s external clients, delegating when appropriate.
STAFF SUPERVISION AND DEVELOPMENT – Recruit, select, train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate the Student Union Operations Coordinator, Student Activities Coordinator, and Commuter Programs Coordinator and approximately 40 student employees. Provide staff with ongoing direction and feedback, informally and formally through the university-wide performance review process, in order to ensure continual progress toward goals. Connect staff as appropriate to ensure an integrated approach to the delivery of innovative, progressive programs and services that are responsive to shifting university priorities and evolving student needs. Guide and coach staff to ensure they are effective leaders and student advocates, inclusive of providing staff with training and development opportunities to encourage their continual learning and growth for the benefit of both the individual and department.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT – In conjunction with the Director of Student Life & Leadership, provide vision and direction for all aspects of the Student Union and campus programming. Lead professional staff and the programs and services they coordinate to meet department, division, and university priorities. Under general direction, plan, organize, and direct UAA’s Student Union and campus programming that promotes student belonging and success. Direct and manage professional staff to ensure the successful delivery of engaging student experiences in the Student Union, Student Activities, and Commuter Programs. Ensure professional staff compliance with applicable UA and UAA rules, regulations, processes, policies, procedures, and accreditation standards and when necessary, provide analysis, interpretation, and recommended changes. Develop programs, services, policies, and procedures that are student-centered, university-aligned, reflective of departmental values, and responsive to departmental needs. Guide and manage professional staff on matters such as budget management, risk management, program development, evaluation and assessment, training and development, and marketing. Provide oversight and expertise for the Student Union’s fiscal management, policy development, vendor/client relations, and large-scale programming.
DIRECTOR LEVEL RESPONSIBILITIES – Act on behalf of, in absence of, and represent the Director and/or Associate Director of Student Life & Leadership to oversee department-wide activities and budget. Support departmental operations, planning, programs, and delivery of service. Provide in-person or on-call coverage for the Student Union and high-level departmental programs and initiatives. Exercise budget and signature authority as delegated by the Director of Student Life & Leadership.
ASSESSMENT PRACTICE – Participate in departmental assessment and evaluation efforts, including the development and implementation of an annual assessment plan. Direct and manage professional staff to ensure assessment is central to the program development, implementation, and evaluation process. Ensure professional staff fulfillment of requests for information, such as through division-wide end of year reporting process. In conjunction with the Director of Student Life & Leadership, determine means by which to report out, regularly and ongoing, on assessment findings. Guide and coach staff on benchmarking against institutional and aspirational peers and the CAS Professional Standards for Higher Education.
COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENTS – As a Department of Student Life & Leadership senior staff member, the Assistant Director for Student Union & Campus Programming will receive annual collateral assignments in up to four areas such as: Campus Traditions planning; MLK Student Appreciation planning; Bartlett Lecture Series planning; Student Showcase planning; Leadership Honors and Awards planning; Native Student Services liaison; Multicultural Center liaison; Department of Residence Life liaison; Student Health & Counseling Center liaison; Disability Support Services liaison; Military & Veteran Student Services liaison; Alumni Relations liaison; Athletics liaison. Additionally, the Assistant Director for Student Union & Campus Programming be asked to participate in or lead one or more departmental working group, to be determined based upon annual needs. These programs and partnerships are considered department wide and critical to successfully carrying out the Student Life & Leadership mission.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING – Participate in and lead departmental training and development efforts for student employees and leaders, specifically for the Student Union, Student Activities, and Commuter Programs. Advise and train student staff and leaders on topics such as communication, teamwork, marketing, fundraising, programming, advocacy, budget management, risk management, and customer service. Guide and manage professional staff to ensure a consistent strategy for supervising and/or advising students and to elevate student employment as high-impact practice in Student Life & Leadership. Create and maintain internal systems for tracking student and professional staff training and development (e.g. FERPA, Title IX, Crowd Manager Training, Driver’s Safety Course, Food Worker Card, etc.).
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Knowledge of University environment. Ability to comprehend and apply university policies and procedures as they relate to students. Ability to communicate effectively in person and in writing. Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment. Ability to work as part of a team. Aptitude for comprehending another’s situation. Knowledge of University system to be able to refer students to appropriate area for assistance. Knowledge of best practices, federal and state laws and legal issues associated with and applicable to student services and higher education. Knowledge of marketing/advertising principles. Advanced public speaking skills. Ability to troubleshoot situations to determine the best course of action. Ability to work as an influential part of a team. Ability to apply theories gained through experience and education. Ability to supervise. Knowledge of decision-making strategies and problem-solving skills. Knowledge of student development theory. Ability to interpret information to determine placement. Ability to be a team or project leader. Knowledge of fiscal management. Ability to develop and implement policy. Ability to interpret and articulate changes to existing laws and regulations. Ability to conduct investigations. Knowledge of eSports programs and posses the requisite skills and abilities to develop, implement and successfully manage the eSports arena and project.
Required Experience:
Four years of professional level experience with progressive responsibility in a college or university Student Union/Student Life/Student Activities unit. Relevant experiences in one more of the following areas: student union, student activities, commuter programs or services, facilities management, auxiliary services. Demonstrated experience planning, organizing, and directing programs, services, operations, and initiatives. Experience supervising professional and/or student staff and advising students. Experience working with diverse populations and supporting inclusive environments.
Typical Education or Training:
Master’s degree in related field and four years relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Special Instructions:
Please attach a cover letter, resume, and a list of least three professional references with contact information for each.
Additional Information:
This regular, full-time, 12-month, exempt staff position is a Grade 80, with a minimum bi-weekly salary of $2,235.20.
Review Date:
Review of Applications will begin on February 25, 2019.