Associate Director for Student Leadership

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 61,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina is seeking an Associate Director for Student Leadership to lead Duke True North Leadership, shaping university-wide initiatives, partnerships, and opportunities for student growth across residential life, academics, and co-curricular experiences.

You will design curricula, mentor student leaders, collaborate with faculty and staff, steward grants, and guide strategic programs to foster authentic leadership, belonging, and high-impact learning across

Qualifications

• Generally a Master's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Work generally requires four year’s experience in personnel, college or university administration, or a related field to acquire skills necessary to provide program management, advising and general administrative support OR AND EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Responsibilities

• Champion the strategic vision, implementation, assessment, and continuous enhancement of Duke True North Leadership.
• Design, implement, and assess innovative leadership programs, workshops, institutes, and signature experiences.
• Mentor and advise student leadership fellows, student program leaders, and peer educators.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to design integrated leadership learning experiences that bridge curricular and co-curricular learning.
• Develop educational resources, facilitation guides, assessment tools, and reflective practices that support leadership education across Duke.
• Expand leadership educator development opportunities to increase the University's capacity to support student growth and success.

Job description

Duke University

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Duke University

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we believe leadership begins with authenticity. We celebrate the unique experiences, perspectives, and aspirations that every member of our community brings. As the Associate Director for Student Leadership, you will play a transformative role in helping students discover their purpose, develop their leadership identity, and build meaningful connections that enrich their Duke experience.

Be Bold.

Lead the vision and evolution of Duke True North Leadership, Duke's signature framework for authentic leadership development. In this highly visible leadership role, you will shape university-wide initiatives, strengthen strategic partnerships across campus, and advance opportunities that foster student growth, engagement, and belonging. Your leadership will influence the undergraduate experience by integrating leadership learning throughout residential life, academic engagement, traditions, and co-curricular experiences, helping students develop the skills and self-awareness needed to make a lasting impact.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership & Program Innovation

• Champion the strategic vision, implementation, assessment, and continuous enhancement of Duke True North Leadership.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive leadership curriculum focused on authentic leadership, ethical decision-making, self-reflection, purpose, and lifelong growth.
• Establish programmatic standards and educational practices that support leadership development across open-access, cohort-based, identity-based, residential, and co-curricular experiences.
• Utilize assessment data, student learning outcomes, and emerging research to strengthen program effectiveness and student impact.
• Serve as a campus leader and ambassador for Duke True North Leadership, promoting a shared understanding of leadership development across the University.

Curriculum Design & Educational Excellence

• Design, implement, and assess innovative leadership programs, workshops, institutes, and signature experiences.
• Create meaningful opportunities that encourage reflection, identity exploration, ethical leadership, and community engagement.
• Mentor and advise student leadership fellows, student program leaders, and peer educators.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and campus partners to design integrated leadership learning experiences that bridge curricular and co-curricular learning.
• Develop educational resources, facilitation guides, assessment tools, and reflective practices that support leadership education across Duke.
• Expand leadership educator development opportunities to increase the University's capacity to support student growth and success.

Campus Partnerships & Student Engagement

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with Undergraduate Education, faculty, academic departments, Athletics, and campus stakeholders.
• Advance the QuadEx vision by connecting residential learning, leadership development, student involvement, traditions, and academic engagement.
• Develop opportunities that empower students to co-create and lead campus traditions and signature experiences.
• Serve as a leadership consultant and trusted advisor to student organizations, governing bodies, and university departments.
• Guide student leaders in organizational development, governance, strategic planning, collaboration, and effective leadership practices.
• Support large-scale leadership initiatives and student engagement programs, including experiential and tradition-based experiences.

Grant Stewardship & Team Leadership

• Provide strategic stewardship of the George Family Foundation investment supporting Duke True North Leadership.
• Align grant objectives with institutional priorities, student learning outcomes, assessment efforts, and long-term sustainability goals.
• Manage program budgets and resources that support leadership initiatives and student success.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and assessment materials that demonstrate program effectiveness and measurable impact.
• Supervise, develop, and mentor graduate assistants, interns, and student staff.
• Monitor emerging trends and best practices in student leadership development and higher education.

Additional Responsibilities

• Contribute to divisional initiatives, committee service, collaborative projects, and other duties that support departmental and institutional success.

What You Bring

Minimum Qualifications

• Generally a Master's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Work generally requires four year’s experience in personnel, college or university administration, or a related field to acquire skills necessary to provide program management, advising and general administrative support OR AND EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Leadership Studies, or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting student organizations, governance structures, leadership programs, fraternity and sorority life, or student engagement initiatives.
• Experience supervising professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees.
• Experience designing, implementing, and assessing leadership development programs.

Preferred Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of contemporary leadership theories, leadership education frameworks, and high-impact educational practices.
• Strong understanding of program development, student engagement, and co-curricular learning.
• Experience utilizing assessment and learning outcomes to drive program improvement.
• Effective relationship-building, facilitation, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to navigate complex partnerships, strategic initiatives, and organizational priorities.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll find more than a job. You'll find a community committed to excellence, innovation, learning, and belonging. You'll work alongside passionate colleagues who are dedicated to creating meaningful experiences for students while advancing the University's mission.

As the Associate Director for Student Leadership, you'll have the opportunity to influence the future of leadership education at one of the nation’s leading universities, helping students discover who they are, what they value, and how they can make a positive difference in the world.

Here, your ideas matter. Your leadership matters. Your impact matters.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $61,026.00 to USD $90,515.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).