Assistant Director of Student Experience and Events

Illinois Institute of Technology; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 47,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Tech invites applications for the role of Assistant Director of Student Experience and Events. This position leads recruitment and engagement initiatives that connect prospective and admitted students with the Illinois Tech community.

You will oversee the TeleHawk and SOAR programs and support Hawk Ambassador and Graduate Student Assistant programs, along with other partnerships. Reporting to the Director of Admission Events, the role includes leadership, supervision, scheduling, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education or related field.
• Two or more years of professional experience in higher education, admissions, student engagement, or events.
• Experience with advising, mentoring, or developing college students.

Responsibilities

• Lead TeleHawk and SOAR programs and other student engagement initiatives.
• Develop student leadership and employment experiences.
• Maintain resources, training materials, and operating documentation.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen student engagement during the prospective and admitted student experience.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in higher education or related field

Job description

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Assistant Director of Student Experience and Events

Assistant Director of Student Experience and Events

Position Details

Compensation: $47,000 - $53,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Position Type/Schedule: Full-Time, exempt. Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. This position is fully on-site; remote work is not available. Evening and weekend work is required for pre-scheduled major admission events, student programs, and other recruitment and engagement initiatives. These scheduling needs are generally planned in advance, and employees will receive advance notice whenever practicable. Occasional travel within the Chicagoland area, elsewhere in Illinois, or other domestic locations may be required.

Work Location: Illinois Tech, 10 West 35th Street, Chicago, IL 60616

Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, both presently and for the duration of employment with the university.

Summary

The Assistant Director of Student Experience and Events leads student powered recruitment and engagement initiatives that strengthen connections between prospective and admitted students and the Illinois Tech community. Reporting to the Director of Admission Events, Student Experience and Visit Operations, the Assistant Director provides primary professional leadership and oversight for the TeleHawk and SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) programs, as well as support to Hawk Ambassador and Graduate Student Assistant programs, and other student engagement programs, partnerships, and initiatives as assigned by Leadership. The role is responsible for student recruitment, selection, training, supervision, scheduling, development, performance management, and program assessment.

The Assistant Director also plays an active role in undergraduate and graduate admission events, working closely with the Director, Associate Director, Visitors Center Operations Coordinator, admission and recruitment teams, and campus partners to integrate student leadership and authentic student engagement throughout recruitment, campus visit, event, and enrollment experiences.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Lead the TeleHawk and SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) programs, as well as support to Hawk Ambassador and Graduate Student Assistant programs, and other student engagement programs, partnerships, and initiatives as assigned by Leadership.including program goals, expectations, procedures, calendars, and operating standards.
• Develop student leadership and employment experiences that promote accountability, professional development, engagement, and effective representation of Illinois Tech.
• Maintain program resources, training materials, operating documentation, and other tools necessary for effective administration.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen student to student engagement throughout the prospective and admitted student experience.

Student Employee Recruitment, Training and Supervision

• Lead recruitment, interviewing, selection, onboarding, and training of student employees for the TeleHawk and SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) programs.
• Establish clear performance expectations and provide coaching, feedback, performance management, recognition, and professional development for student employees within these programs.
• Develop staffing schedules and monitor attendance, availability, hours, coverage, and staffing needs across the TeleHawk and SOAR programs.
• Share oversight of the Hawk Ambassador Program with the Visitors Center Operations Coordinator, coordinating student development, training, performance, operational needs, and daily campus visit activities.

Admission Event Support and Program Assessment

• Support the planning and execution of undergraduate, graduate, and virtual admission events under the leadership of the Associate Director.
• Lead student employee staffing for major admission events, including assignments, expectations, training, and event day coverage.
• Assess student engagement programs using participation, retention, performance, staffing, feedback, and other relevant measures and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Support student employment administration, staffing resources, and related program expenditures in coordination with the Director and Associate Director.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, business administration, communications, marketing, hospitality, event management, student affairs, or a related field.
• Two or more years of professional experience in higher education, admissions, student engagement, student employment, orientation, events, or a related area.
• Demonstrated experience working with, advising, training, mentoring, or developing college students.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, business administration, communications, marketing, hospitality, event management, student affairs, or a related field preferred.
• Experience coordinating or supervising student employees or student leadership programs.
• Experience supporting recruitment, enrollment, campus visit, orientation, or large-scale event programs in a higher education environment.
• Experience with Slate or comparable CRM, scheduling, student employment, or event management systems.

Service Standards and Performance Expectations

• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, develop, and support student employees while maintaining clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple student programs, schedules, and competing priorities.
• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills, including the ability to address student employee performance, conduct, scheduling, and interpersonal concerns appropriately.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with professional Staff, students, campus partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and facilitate effective training, professional development, and student leadership programming.
• Strong service orientation with the ability to create welcoming, professional, and consistent experiences for prospective students and families.

Supervision

• Provides direct and/or programmatic supervision for TeleHawks, SOAR Leaders, and Hawk Ambassadors, as well as other student positions as assigned.

Physical Qualifications

• Ability to effectively use standard office technology and equipment in a primarily in-person campus environment.
• Ability to move throughout campus and stand or walk for extended periods during events.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and move event materials, supplies, signage, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law.

Benefits

Illinois Tech offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and long-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with university contributions and matching for eligible employees; tuition assistance programs; flexible spending and commuter benefits; an employee assistance program; university holidays; and applicable paid and job-protected leave benefits. Eligibility, waiting periods, employee contributions, and coverage levels vary by benefit and position. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our competitive benefits package located here: Benefits Summary

EEO Statement

Illinois Institute of Technology is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, inclusion, and diversity. It is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and actively seeks applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, regardless of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, disability, age, unfavorable discharge from the military, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, including gender identity and expression, order of protection status, and/or genetic information. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.