Associate Director, Community and Belonging

Kent State University; Kent (OH); On-site; USD 68,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent State University is seeking an Associate Director for Community and Belonging on the Kent Campus. The role manages fraternity and sorority programs, develops leadership and educational initiatives, and supports strategic planning for student involvement and belonging across campus.

The position emphasizes collaboration with councils, staff, and alumni, with duties spanning budgeting, risk management, programming, and assessment to strengthen the campus community.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, college student personnel administration, or a relevant field.
• Four years of experience in a university setting.

Responsibilities

• Support and coordinate fraternity and sorority programs.
• Develop leadership and educational programs and workshops.
• Assist with assessment and evaluation tools and strategic planning.
• Oversee student activities and services under the Director, Center for Student Involvement.
• Advise councils and monitor programming compliance.
• Develop and manage program budgeting and monitor council finances.
• Lead risk management, safety, and wellness programming.
• Collaborate on marketing and outreach to enhance campus belonging.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Diversity engagement

Critical thinking

Project planning

Social media basics

Education

Master’s degree in higher education

Job description

Job Title

Associate Director, Community and Belonging

Physical Location

Kent Campus - Kent, OH

Salary

$67,706 - $76,140

Basic Function

Manage and coordinate fraternity and sorority programs. Develop leadership and educational programs and workshops to aid in improving chapter operations. Develop assessment and evaluation tools for the community. Assist with developing assessment and evaluation tools, and with strategic planning. Assist with departmental student activities and services. Reports to Director, Center for Student Involvement, or designated supervisor.

Additional Basic Function – if applicable

Not applicable.

Examples of Duties

Perform long-term planning within the community, including Student Organization Support, Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, and Integrated Greek Council, as well as conducting research and exploring new areas for affiliation, community, and sense of belonging that may be of interest for our students.

Assist Director, Center for Student Involvement in developing and implementing assessment and evaluation tools, and with strategic growth planning for the community; conduct assessments and evaluations with assistance from Coordinator.

Serve as lead with assistance from Coordinator, Fraternity and Sorority Life in advising and providing direct developmental assistance to councils’ programmatic functions; attend official meetings, provide programming advice, and facilitate events sponsored by assigned organizations; ensure compliance with operational procedures, policies, and regulations concerning programming activities.

Collaborate with Senior Business Manager to develop and maintain program budgeting and planning for assigned organizations; monitor financial accounts of councils.

Serve as lead with assistance from Coordinator in addressing and investigating student conduct matters.

Assist in the development and coordination of co-curricular services, programs, and events for university students, alumni, families, and community members; may coordinate workshops, conferences, and various program functions, awards, and ceremonies.

Develops and maintains strategic initiatives that will increase a sense of belonging across campus.

Develop, manage, and support educational programs in collaboration with Center for Student Leadership teams.

Serve as a liaison to various university committees while working to ensure adequate programming and awareness initiatives are in place.

Interpret a wide array of university policies and procedures for student leaders, council executive board members, chapter advisors, alumni, inter/national membership organizations, and family members.

Provide leadership for the continued growth and development of the Greek community.

Develop and implement community mission, vision, strategic plan, and unit goals/objectives in collaboration with students, staff and alumni.

Plan, develop, and implement activities and programs that support and advance the foundational and operational values of fraternities and sororities.

Partner with inter/national organization headquarters, alumni advisors, house directors, and house corporations to proactively influence chapter behavior and enact risk-management policies.

Develop and implement leadership development, risk management, health and wellness, and other programming, which meets the developmental needs of collegiate members, chapters, advisors, and other volunteers.

Collaborate with the Division of Student Life Marketing and Communication team to develop and coordinate marketing initiatives that will reach a broad audience and enhance feelings of community and create a sense of belonging on campus.

Assist with general activities and programs sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement. Review and update policies and procedures; prepare annual evaluations and assessment reports. Oversee leadership and risk management training programs for all councils.

Supervise assigned employees, including unclassified fu l- and part-time staff, graduate assistants, and student employees; duties may include recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and evaluating employees.

Serve on university committees as needed or requested by Director, Center for Student Involvement.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, college student personnel administration, or a relevant field. Four years of experience in a university setting.

License/Certification

Not applicable.

Knowledge Of

• Student development principles *
• Effective recruitment and retention strategies and techniques *

Skill In

• Written, verbal, and interpersonal communications
• Demonstrated skills working with diverse communities and cultural groups
• Critical thinking, decision-making, and complex issue resolutions that cross multiple areas of student services *
• Implementing projects and assessment of program initiatives *
• Social media platforms

Ability To

• Communicate effectively with faculty, staff and students, and with external constituents, including through public speaking and public relations *
• Work independently and as part of a team *
• Provide leadership and direction *
• Use good judgment and exercise initiative *
• Multi-task and organize while managing multiple projects and assignments; work quickly and effectively
• Set and balance priorities, meet deadlines, and prioritize work *
• Learn to use various computer applications and online systems, including web content management system, and in-house databases
• Prepare and maintain reports and statistics
• Accurately and efficiently process highly detailed and complex work
• Maintain a collegial and constructive environment based upon open communication and the fostering of good working relationships among all staff
• Provide leadership to undergraduate and graduate student staff
• Build relationships with external and internal constituents
• Work nontraditional hours, including evenings, nights, and weekends *

Preferred Qualifications – if applicable

Experience in fraternity and sorority life programming at a mid-size to large university.

Assessments

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which require assessments

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

None.

Working Schedule

Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm, occasional weekends or otherwise discussed with your supervisor.

Additional Information

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.

Must pass a security check.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Official Job Descriptions

For official job descriptions, visit www.kent.edu/hr.

Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free

Kent State University is a Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free University effective July 1, 2017. Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on any of Kent State’s campuses or other locations and properties that are owned, operated, or leased by Kent State, both domestic and international. For additional details, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free.

Disclaimer

The intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties, job hours, and responsibilities.