Assistant Director, Student Employment

Clark University; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Clark University in Worcester, MA seeks an Assistant Director for Student Employment Operations, Payroll & Compliance. This leadership role partners with HR, International Center, and campus departments to ensure a scalable, compliant student employment program that supports students, faculty, and staff.

The successful candidate will oversee onboarding, documentation, payroll coordination, and system administration (Banner, Handshake).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience managing complex administrative processes in higher education or related field.
• Strong technology and systems skills for HR/employment tech.
• Ability to interpret policies and resolve complex issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; serve diverse campus partners.
• Ability to collaborate across units and coordinate with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day onboarding processes for undergraduate and graduate student employees, ensuring timely and accurate workflows.
• Review and process student employment documentation (including I-9) per university procedures and requirements.
• Serve as a primary resource for policies, procedures, and problem resolution for students, faculty, and staff.
• Coordinate with Payroll and HR throughout biweekly student employment payroll, including review and final sign-off.
• Supervise and support student employees engaged in employment operations and data-related work.

Skills

Organization

Attention to detail

Communication

Collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Banner

Handshake

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

Clark University

Location: Worcester, MA

Category: Staff and Administrators

Job Type: Full-time - Exempt

Job Description:

Reporting to the Director of Student Employment, the Assistant Director provides operational and strategic support for Clark University’s campus-wide student employment program. The position ensures that students, faculty, and staff have an accessible, efficient, and well-supported student employment experience while maintaining effective systems, processes, and practices that are compliant with federal and state law. Student employment is an important component of the Clark experience, providing students with opportunities to earn income, build relationships, develop professional competencies, apply learning, and contribute to the University community. The Assistant Director provides the infrastructure necessary to support these experiences at scale.

The position works closely with Human Resources, Payroll, Financial Assistance, the International Center, Career Development, academic and administrative departments, and student employment supervisors. The Assistant Director serves as a key campus resource for student employment policies, processes, systems, and problem resolution.

Student Employment Operations, Payroll & Compliance

• Lead the day-to-day operational processes associated with student employment onboarding for undergraduate and graduate students, ensuring timely, accurate, and accessible processes for students and supervisors.
• Review and process student employment documentation, including job records, I-9 and identity verification processes, and other required employment documentation in accordance with University procedures and applicable requirements.
• Serve as a primary resource for students, faculty, and staff regarding student employment policies, procedures, requirements, and problem resolution.
• Coordinate with Payroll and Human Resources throughout the biweekly student employment payroll process, including review, correction, reconciliation, and final sign-off.
• Supervise and support student employees engaged in student employment operations, communications, and data-related work.

Systems, Data & Process Management

• Serve as a primary administrator and campus resource for student employment systems, including Banner, Handshake, and related HR/employment technology.
• Work collaboratively with Financial Assistance, the International Center, Human Resources, Payroll, and campus departments to resolve student employment issues and ensure timely follow-through.
• Assist with budget management, purchasing, and other administrative functions related to the program.

Student Employment Experience & Engagement

• Oversee communications and outreach related to student employment, including digital communications, marketing, and annual student employment initiatives.
• Support programming and recognition efforts, including National Student Employment Week.
• Collaborate with Student Success and campus partners to develop programs, resources, and communications that help students understand and maximize the developmental and career value of student employment.

Student Success, Community Engagement, and Inclusion

• Center equity, inclusion and student voice while critically working to ensure student engagement, belonging, wellbeing, retention, and success.
• Play a key role in campus traditions and high-level university initiatives and experiences, such as opening weekend, undergraduate onboarding, orientation, commencement, family weekend, traditional events, etc.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex administrative processes, preferably in higher education, human resources, student employment, student services, or a related field.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records in a high-volume environment.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and requirements, exercise sound judgment, and resolve complex or sensitive issues appropriately.
• Strong technology and systems skills, including the ability to learn, administer, and troubleshoot database, employment, and student information systems.
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for process improvement, develop effective procedures, and implement solutions that improve efficiency, accuracy, accessibility, and the user experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships and provide responsive, respectful service to students, faculty, staff, supervisors, and campus partners with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across organizational units and coordinate work involving multiple stakeholders, systems, and processes.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Commitment to creating accessible, equitable, and student-centered processes and experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with student employment, human resources, payroll, financial aid, career development, or related higher education functions.
• Experience using data to monitor processes, identify trends, and inform program or operational improvements.
• Experience developing training, resources, or communications for diverse campus audiences.
• Experience supporting student employment as an experiential learning or career-development opportunity.

Additional Information:

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Primarily on-site with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Expected Hiring Range:

$44,800 to $60,250

Pay Transparency Disclosure:

The compensation for this position will be determined based on factors that include available budget, internal equity, and the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, education, and other job-related credentials. This range represents Clark University's good-faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting consistent with Clark's compensation philosophy and internal alignment.

At Clark University we believe that diversity of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to a more innovative and productive work environment. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to join our team and contribute their unique ideas to help us achieve our goals.

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part-time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here.

To review the Clark University Police Department Annual Security and Fire Safety Report visit here.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.