Director of Student Involvement and Leadership

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

The Director of Student Involvement and Leadership is responsible for planning, implementing and assessing co-curricular experiences and leadership opportunities to create a holistic student experience supporting engagement, retention and personal and academic success. The Director of Student Involvement and Leadership leads the management, development and assessment of activities, programs, student organizations and leadership training; advises the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and Homecoming Student Committee; and provides leadership development and training opportunities for student organizations.

This role involves collaborating with various campus partners, external stakeholders, vendors and student organizations to assist in enhancing the engagement and experience for LR students. The person in this position will also assess the impact of student involvement and leadership development programs and provide substantive, strategic recommendations for improvement, often focusing on student retention. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, innovative, student-centered, possesses strong interpersonal skills, has experience working effectively in a diverse environment and is willing to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary advisor for the Campus Activities Board (CAB), which includes but is not limited to meetings, planning and oversight of Welcome Week, Final Flip (Exam Breakfast), Spring Fling and Red Carpet
• Plan, coordinate, implement and assess annual major campus events (e.g., Welcome Weekend, Family Weekend, Homecoming events), which includes advising the homecoming student committee and facilitating the annual homecoming parade for a diverse student body
• Coordinate and promote campus organizational fairs in partnership with other offices on campus
• Collaborate with the Dean of Students or designee to negotiate and prepare contracts for entertainment and/or external speakers when necessary.
• Oversee the management of student organization policies, maintain up-to-date information and constitutions for campus organizations and develop and implement departmental processes for student involvement and leadership.
• Create and provide leadership training and organizational development for students and student organizations provide fundraiser approval to student organizations in collaboration with Conference and Events, Office of Advancement and other offices as needed.
• Serve as the campus liaison for Lenoir-Rhyne University’s participation in NC Campus Engagement (civic discourse & dialogue, election management, service learning)
• Serve as the liaison and administrator for student engagement and student organization platforms.
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with campus and community partners in order to support the leadership development and engagement of all students
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities and activities may change.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• One to three years of experience in higher education, preferably in student affairs
• Experience working with and managing student staff/volunteers.
• Some experience with social media a plus
• Experience with program assessment, especially in student life, a plus.
• Must have comprehensive knowledge of student leader development and experience with student organization management.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully balance, prioritize and manage multiple tasks in an active, fast-paced environment while providing superior constituent service
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism and diplomacy and to work with individuals at all levels of the university.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills with heightened attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving/conflict resolutions skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Must possess the ability to travel on and off-campus for student involvement-related needs.
• Bilingual in Spanish, a plus

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusiveness are integral to the university’s commitment to excellence in service, engagement, and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience engaging with diversity through activities such as fostering an inclusive environment, working with employees and students from diverse backgrounds, and/or incorporating diverse perspectives into student life policies, practices, and programming.

Physical Requirements

• Some prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
• Ability to attend and preside over events, lectures and meetings.
• Ability to travel with students, faculty and staff throughout campus and off campus as needed.
• Must be able to traverse various athletic grounds and facilities.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
• CPR and First Aid certification a plus.

Work Schedule

• Standard office hours M-F 8a-5p, with occasional evening and weekend work based on job responsibilities
• Ability to be available on-call if needed
• Subject to change based on university needs, scheduled courses and university growth

Behavioral Expectations

• Maintain high integrity, confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
• Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable and inclusive environment
• Treat other individuals with dignity, respect, and kindness.
• Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards, and values and comply with all federal, state and local laws.

Position requirements in the role description outlined above indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list for the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove, or waive the responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position.

Position type: Staff
Reports to: Dean of Students
Campus: Hickory
Department: Mission, Engagement and Innovation
FLSA classification: Exempt
Compensation: Compensation package includes salary and benefits, access to a tuition remission program, and select professional development opportunities.

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