Assistant Director for Highsmith Operations #000207

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

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Asheville seeks an Assistant Director for Highsmith Operations to lead the Highsmith Student Union and support Campus Life goals. This is a full-time, 12-month exempt role reporting to the Senior Director within the Division of Student Affairs, with a focus on student learning and belonging.

The ideal candidate will have a Master’s in Student Affairs or related field, and 3+ years in facility operations or student affairs, plus strong organizational and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a closely related field or higher education administration is required.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in facility operations or student affairs may substitute a Bachelor’s degree.
• Strong organizational and written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Highsmith Student Union and Campus Life initiatives.
• Direct the student employment program as a workforce development experience.
• Design engagement programming to deepen campus connection and support student success.

Skills

Facility operations

Student affairs administration

Event coordination

Excellent communication

Education

Master’s degree in Student Affairs

Bachelor’s degree + 3 years experience

Tools

Room scheduling software

Campus engagement platforms

Job description

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.

Position Type:

EHRA Staff

Title:

Assistant Director for Highsmith Operations #000207

Position Number:

000207

Recruitment Range:

$46,000-$50,000

Work Schedule and Hours:

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 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.

FLSA:

Exempt

Required Education/Experience/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/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.

Posting Number:

E0585

Posting date:

07/31/2026

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Background/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.

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.