Associate Vice President

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Utah seeks an Associate Vice President for Student Engagement to lead and advance student wellbeing, belonging, and success across 20+ departments. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, this role shapes engagement strategy, directs budget and staff, and partners with campus and community partners to create transformative experiences.

The successful candidate will champion data-informed decision making, scalable programs, and inclusive leadership to serve 38,000+

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs administration, counseling, public administration, or a related field required; doctorate preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, including direct staff supervision and program leadership.
• Demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and assessing student engagement initiatives that enhance belonging, retention, and student success.
• Experience supervising and mentoring professional staff, with commitment to staff development, accountability, and inclusive leadership practices.
• Proven ability to analyze and apply data to strategic planning, program development, and assessment.
• Excellent collaboration skills, with experience building partnerships across academic, administrative, and student organizations.
• Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills for university governance and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic oversight for a portfolio that includes multiple student engagement units.
• Recruit, supervise, and evaluate director-level staff and align goals with priorities.
• Develop and assess a comprehensive, data-informed student engagement strategy promoting belonging and success.
• Oversee fiscal management of student engagement units and resource development.
• Build scalable models to serve a growing residential student population and ensure programs' access and sustainability.
• Establish systems to collect, analyze, and interpret engagement data and inform planning.
• Partner with campus and community stakeholders to advance holistic engagement approaches.
• Track progress on divisional initiatives and institutional priorities, including strategic plans.
• Represent the Division of Student Affairs at high-level meetings and committees.

Skills

Staff supervision

Leadership

Data-informed planning

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Master's degree in higher education or related field

Doctorate preferred

Job description

Job Summary

The University of Utah is seeking a student-centered, dedicated, experienced, innovative, and collaborative individual to serve as the Associate Vice President for Student Engagement. This newly aligned position supports student wellbeing and success by strategically advancing student engagement units, priorities, and outcomes. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs, this position serves as a key member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team as they support 20+ departments within the division of student affairs. Departments and centers currently within this position’s portfolio include: The Associated Students of the University of Utah, Bennion Center for Community Engagement, Center for Community and Cultural Engagement, Dream Center, Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, Student Leadership and Involvement, and the A. Ray Olpin Union. Other departments that work closely with this leader include Fraternity & Sorority Life, Campus Recreation Services, Office of Residence Life, and the Student Experience Office. Through adapting to evolving student needs and fostering transformative engagement experiences, this role directly contributes to division-wide goals of increasing student satisfaction, retention, and graduation among the university’s 38,000+ students. At a time of growth, innovation, and opportunity, this is an exciting moment to join the University of Utah and make a lasting impact on the student experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic oversight for a portfolio that currently includes Student Governance & Leadership, Bennion Center for Community Engagement, Center for Community & Cultural Engagement, Dream Center, Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, Student Leadership & Involvement, and the A. Ray Olpin Student Union.
• Recruit, supervise, and evaluate director-level staff, ensuring alignment of unit goals with divisional and institutional priorities while fostering professional growth and accountability.
• Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive, data-informed student engagement strategy that promotes connection, belonging, leadership, and overall student success throughout the university experience.
• Oversee fiscal management of student engagement units, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, development of increased revenue streams, and alignment of budgets with strategic priorities.
• Build scalable models of student engagement to effectively serve an expanding and increasingly residential student population, ensuring resourcing, access, and sustainability in programs, facilities, and services.
• Establish systems to collect, analyze, and interpret engagement data, leveraging technology to inform strategic planning, enhance assessment practices, and monitor trends in participation.
• Partner with key campus and community stakeholders (e.g., Student Experience Office, Ute and Tribal Nations, Utah Pride Center, Office of General Counsel, Public Safety, Athletics, Residence Life, and University Marketing and Communications) to advance holistic and collaborative approaches to student engagement.
• Track progress on divisional initiatives and institutional priorities, including advancing the Adapting to Student Needs Strategic Plan.
• Represent the Division of Student Affairs at high-level meetings and committees, including university-wide working groups.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs administration, counseling, public administration, or a related field required; doctorate preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, including direct staff supervision and program leadership.
• Demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and assessing student engagement initiatives that enhance belonging, retention, and student success.
• Experience supervising and mentoring professional staff, with a commitment to supporting staff development, accountability, and inclusive leadership practices.
• Proven ability to analyze and apply data to strategic planning, program development, and assessment.
• Excellent collaboration skills, with experience building partnerships across academic, administrative, and student organizations.
• Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to represent student affairs at high levels of university governance and with community partners, donors, and government officials.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively serve students from a variety of backgrounds, enhancing a sense of belonging and community across the student body.

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (URS). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement. Please contact Human Resources for details. This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities upon request. Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in education programs or activities, as required by Title IX. To request a reasonable accommodation or for concerns about discrimination or sexual misconduct, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX. More information is available on the University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page. Online reports may be submitted at the University of Utah Public Safety site. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety. Per University policy, a new hire who is still serving a probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job during the probation period.

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References