Assistant Director for Highsmith Operations #000207

University of North Carolina Asheville; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 46,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Assistant Director for Highsmith Operations at UNC Asheville is a full-time, 12-month EHRA Staff position reporting to the Senior Director of Campus Life. This role provides strategic leadership for the Highsmith Student Union, overseeing operations, student employment, and engagement programs to advance student success.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in a related field, with 3+ years in facility operations or student affairs; experience with event coordination, staff

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or related field.
• Bachelor's degree with 3+ years' progressively responsible experience in facility operations, student affairs, or related field may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Highsmith Operations and Campus Life.
• Direct the student employment program and workforce development.
• Design engagement programming to deepen campus connection and student belonging.
• Collaborate with Campus Life leadership to advance enrollment and student success goals.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Event coordination

Staff supervision

Budgeting

Risk management

Communication

Multitasking

Education

Master's degree in Student Affairs

Bachelor's degree + 3+ years experience

Tools

Room scheduling software

Facilities management software

Job description

Assistant Director for Highsmith Operations #000207

Recruitment Range: $46,000-$50,000

Work schedule will vary depending on building programs, events, trainings, and institutional needs. On average, expect one weekend per month and two to three evenings per week. Flexibility to work extended hours during peak event periods (e.g., Welcome Week, Homecoming, semester opening weeks) is required.

Full-time / Part-time: Full-Time

Months per year: 12 Months

Position type: EHRA Staff

Position number: 000207

FLSA: Exempt

Position Summary

The Assistant Director for Highsmith Operations is a member of the Campus Life team and reports directly to the Senior Director of Campus Life. This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt position in the Division of Student Affairs. This position provides strategic leadership for the Highsmith Student Union, serving as a key member of the Campus Life leadership team responsible for creating a vibrant, student-centered environment that advances UNC Asheville's enrollment, belonging, and student success goals. The Assistant Director leads operational strategy, directs the student employment program as a workforce development experience, and designs engagement programming that deepens campus connection and complements the co-curricular mission of the Division of Student Affairs. As a member of the Campus Life and Division of Student Affairs teams, this position will uphold the values of the University mission, will focus on the importance of placing people first, and will have at the forefront of their thinking an intentional design for student learning and student success.

Required Education, Experience and Skills

This position requires a Master's degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a closely related field. Candidates in the final semester of completing a degree in these fields may also be considered. A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in facility operations, student affairs, or a related field may be substituted.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

The ideal candidate will have at least one to two years of experience in facility operations, event coordination, or student affairs administration in a higher education setting. The ideal candidate will also have strong organizational skills and written and verbal communication skills. Experience supervising student employees or managing a student staff team is strongly preferred. Familiarity with room scheduling and facility management software, student engagement platforms, and departmental assessment tools is desired. A demonstrated commitment to creating welcoming environments that support student belonging and success is expected.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of working with college students in a higher education setting, preferably in the area of facility operations, student union management, event coordination, or student employment supervision. Demonstrated skills in working with students to enhance their personal and professional development.

Basic knowledge of budgeting, purchasing procedures, building operations, and the ability to manage and minimize risk is essential.

The successful candidate will demonstrate aptitudes in the following areas:

• Sound professional judgment and the ability to make independent decisions in complex, time-sensitive situations involving building operations and event logistics.


• Strong verbal and written communication skills.


• The ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities simultaneously.


• Working knowledge of student affairs, facility operations, and student development theory.


• A student development philosophy that views every interaction as an opportunity for learning, leadership growth, and workforce preparation.


• Strong initiative, problem-solving skills, and sound independent judgment.


• Knowledge of risk management practices and institutional safety protocols.


• Ability to contribute strategically to departmental planning, policy development, and continuous improvement as a member of the Campus Life leadership team.

UNC Asheville Overview

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and a welcoming campus community.

In addition to award-winning faculty, UNCA has also ranked high in Research.com, US News & World Report and the Princeton Review in 2025.

Research.com - #8 in Best Colleges, #11 Most Affordable Colleges in NC, #16 Best Value Colleges in NC

US News & World Report - #9 in Top Public Schools

Princeton Reviews - #7 in Top 50 Guide to Green Schools

Employees of UNCA are provided with a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employees may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are group exercise classes, and free access to the campus recreation center for full time employees, vaccine shots are also offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

University Safety

The UNC Asheville Annual Safety Report is available online at UNCA Safety Report. For more information please contact the Assistant Vice Chancelor for Institutional Integrity & Access/Clery Act Compliance Officer at [phone] or email [e-mail]. The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Background and E-Verify

UNC Asheville uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Posting Details

Posting number: E0585

Posting date: 07/31/2026

Open until filled: Yes