Assistant Director of Student Activities

Carleton; Northfield (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement plan

Health, dental, vision insurance

Paid time-off – 25 days

Job summary

Carleton College seeks an energetic Assistant Director of Student Activities to support a vibrant, co-curricular program for approximately 2,000 undergraduate students by coordinating events, advising student organizations, and managing venues and budgets.

The role emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and requires evening and weekend commitments, strong communication, and leadership to supervise student staff and collaborate across campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 2 years of directly related full-time, professional experience.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage a diverse student body and colleagues and foster an inclusive environment.
• Detail-oriented with a willingness to learn; able to act with courtesy, tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
• Willingness to occasionally work evenings and weekends; ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to obtain Minnesota Driver’s License within one month of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assist with designing, implementing, and assessing student events and services (e.g., New Student Week, Senior Week, campus events).
• Serve as a primary advisor for multiple student organizations and oversee travel arrangements and risk management for events.
• Co-advise student programming boards and CSA, lead staff meetings, and help manage budgets totaling about $1.2M.
• Support management of campus venues and student media/organizations and supervise student employees.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Detail-oriented

Multitasking

Flexibility

Driver’s license

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree (preferred)

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Director of Student Activities

Department: Student Activities Office

Classification: Exempt

Grade: 10

FTE/Working Schedule: 1.0 FTE (40 hours/week)

Position Overview: Carleton College seeks an energetic and detail-oriented, Assistant Director of Student Activities to contribute to the overall goals of the college and the Division of Student Life by supporting a vibrant, comprehensive, and co-curricular program for approximately 2,000 undergraduate students. Along with other professional staff members, the Assistant Director supports over 200 student organizations, approximately 35 student-led programs, and 10 remote campus venues that are intentionally designed to provide student development opportunities. We are especially seeking candidates with experience developing programs and activities for students that are designed to enhance knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion. This is a 12-month, full-time position with frequent evening and weekend commitments.

Compensation: The expected starting salary range for this position is between $59,800 and $61,800. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

• Assist with the implementation and assessment of a variety of student events, programs, and services, including New Student Week (first-year orientation program), Senior Week (post academic classes/pre-commencement), Sproncert (spring music festival), and Midwinter Ball
• Serve as a resource and primary advisor for multiple student organizations
• Address risk management issues related to advising student organizations, including student travel, event registration, contract negotiation, and events with alcohol
• Assist students with travel arrangements for college-sponsored activities
• Assist students in complying with college policies and procedures
• Co-advise the Student Activities Programming Board (SAPB) and The Carleton Student Association (CSA), and various CSA-related committees
• Coordinate and lead regular staff meetings for the Student Activities Programming Board (SAPB)
• Assist with the development and management of multiple budgets totaling approximately $1.2M
• Assist with the management of a variety of venues for students, such as KRLX (campus radio station), The Carletonian (student newspaper), The Cave (student-run entertainment venue), The Carleton Cupboard (food pantry), Carleton Winter Wardrobe (free winter clothing), Nourse Little Theater, a band rehearsal room, and an outdoor gear room for the outdoor club (CANOE)
• Assist with the daily management of the Student Activities Office
• Responsible for the selection, development, and supervision of student employees
• Advise student staff in the creation of publications, marketing materials, and social media promotions
• Design and maintain departmental websites
• Manage social media accounts associated with the Student Activities Office
• Serve on various campus committees, task forces, and working groups

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Reports to the Associate Director of Student Activities
• Supervises and advises multiple student positions from the Student Activities Programming Board (SAPB), the Carleton Student Association (CSA), and various student organizations

Education/Experience/Skills: Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 2 years of directly related full-time, professional experience
• Communication and interpersonal skills sufficient to work effectively with an increasingly diverse group of students and colleagues and who have demonstrated a commitment to creating, fostering and sustaining an inclusive environment
• Detailed-oriented and willingness to learn
• Ability to act with a high level of courtesy, tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality
• Desire to support students at a small, private, residential, liberal arts college
• Experience with event planning, implementation, and evaluation
• Willingness and ability to occasionally utilize a flexible work schedule to participate in evening and weekend events
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, vibrant work environment with frequent interruptions
• Ability and willingness to obtain a Minnesota Driver’s License within one month of hire

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree in College Student Personnel, Student Affairs in Higher Education, Higher Education Administration, or related field and a minimum of two years of relevant experience
• Experience advising campus programming boards and student organizations
• Experience managing campus radio stations and related FCC regulations
• Ability to repeatedly lift average weight objects and occasionally lift objects over 50 pounds
• Ability to bend, stoop repeatedly, and stand for long periods of time
• Must have the ability to understand and follow written and oral work instructions, operations, safety procedures, and hazardous labels.

Note: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Carleton College is an AA/EEO Employer: We are committed to developing our staff to better reflect the diversity of our student body and American society. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Carleton also offers a robust suite of benefits including:

• A generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution.
• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance.
• Paid time-off, including 25 annual leave days, 8 paid holidays, and extra days at the end of the calendar year to make a continuous week off before New Year’s.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees.
• A dependent tuition program after six years of service.

Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Carleton College occupies more than 1,000 scenic acres of campus, arboretum, over 100 campus buildings, and athletic fields. Located 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Carleton offers access to the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area. Carleton College is committed to providing a true liberal arts education—a curriculum that challenges our students to learn broadly and think deeply. Instead of training for one narrow career path, Carleton students develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in any walk of life.

Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Nationally recognized as the nation’s top college for undergraduate teaching, Carleton is known for its academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and sense of humor. Carleton offers 33 majors and 38 minors in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and social sciences. At Carleton, faculty and staff members work together across departments to create a seamless and supportive environment for students. Carleton College occupies more than 1,000 scenic acres of campus, arboretum, over 100 campus buildings, and athletic fields. Located 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Carleton offers access to the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area.

Carleton College prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at our Title IX at Carleton page. Carleton College is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Carleton College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, status with regard to public assistance, disability, or age in providing employment or access to its educational facilities and activities. View 'About Carleton'' Diversity Page. Carleton College’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available for review. The report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes occurring on/near campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security. You can obtain a copy of this report by contacting Carleton College Security Services or by visiting the Security Services website.