Leadership Programs Coordinator

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking a Coordinator for Leadership and Engagement within Residential Initiatives. This full-time, bachelor's-level professional will educate and support almost 6,000 on-campus students and report to the Assistant Director of Residential Life for Leadership and Engagement.

The role focuses on planning and implementing leadership programs, advising student organizations, supervising staff, and collaborating with campus partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Leadership Studies, or a related field.
• Experience developing and facilitating student leadership programs and engagement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to advise and mentor college students.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience supervising or leading student staff or volunteers.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respect diverse populations.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement leadership programs and large-scale engagement initiatives for residential students.
• Serve as the primary advisor to the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).
• Foster leadership development opportunities and promote student involvement within the residential community.
• Coordinate student attendance at state, regional, and national leadership conferences.
• Develop and facilitate training for Community Council Advisors and student leaders.
• Support departmental initiatives that enhance student success and retention.
• Promote a welcoming residential environment that supports student growth and development.
• Collaborate with campus partners across Student Affairs and the university community.
• Manage budgets associated with RHA, NRHH, student travel, and community programming.
• Address student, parent, and stakeholder concerns with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation while ensuring departmental deadlines are met.
• Support university and departmental conduct processes in partnership with the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.
• Supervise and mentor student staff, providing regular coaching, feedback, and performance support.
• Manage the daily operations of the Residential Leadership Center.
• Assist with recruitment, selection, training, and development of Resident Assistants and other student employees.
• Contribute to staff training, orientation, and professional development initiatives throughout the academic year.
• Participate in departmental and division-wide committees, assessment efforts, and strategic initiatives.
• Support housing opening, orientation, conferences, and summer programs as assigned.
• Represent VCU at professional conferences, campus events, and community engagements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Advising

Interpersonal skills

Organization

Collaboration

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Leadership Studies, or related field

Master’s degree in Higher Education or Student Affairs (preferred)

Job description

Advertising Summary

The Coordinator for Leadership and Engagement is a bachelor's-level, full-time experienced professional who will serve as part of the Residential Initiatives team, responsible for the education and daily support of almost 6,000 on‑campus students.

Unit

Student Affairs (Vice Provost) MBU

Department

University Housing

Department Summary

Residential Life and Housing at VCU provides safe, well‑maintained facilities where we work together to build intentional communities to empower residents in their academic excellence, citizenship, and personal growth.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Coordinator for Leadership and Engagement works within the Residential Life Team to foster a residential environment that fulfills the goals and vision of the Department of Residential Life & Housing Mission: to provide safe, well‑maintained facilities where we work together to build intentional communities to empower residents in their academic excellence, citizenship, and personal growth. The Coordinator for Leadership and Engagement is a bachelor's-level, full‑time, experienced professional who will serve as part of the Residential Initiatives team, responsible for the education and daily support of almost 6,000 on‑campus students. The position will report to the Assistant Director of Residential Life for Leadership and Engagement. The role is to enhance the learning‑living experience by assisting in the planning, implementation, and support of leadership programs within Residential Life and Housing.

Leadership & Student Engagement

• Plan and implement leadership programs and large‑scale engagement initiatives for residential students.
• Serve as the primary advisor to the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).
• Foster leadership development opportunities and promote student involvement within the residential community.
• Coordinate student attendance at state, regional, and national leadership conferences.
• Develop and facilitate training for Community Council Advisors and student leaders.
• Support departmental initiatives that enhance student success and retention.

Community Development & Administration

• Promote a welcoming residential environment that supports student growth and development.
• Collaborate with campus partners across Student Affairs and the university community.
• Manage budgets associated with RHA, NRHH, student travel, and community programming.
• Address student, parent, and stakeholder concerns with professionalism and sound judgment.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation while ensuring departmental deadlines are met.
• Support university and departmental conduct processes in partnership with the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity.

Staff Supervision & Leadership

• Supervise and mentor student staff, providing regular coaching, feedback, and performance support.
• Manage the daily operations of the Residential Leadership Center.
• Assist with the recruitment, selection, training, and development of Resident Assistants and other student employees.
• Contribute to staff training, orientation, and professional development initiatives throughout the academic year.

Departmental Contributions

• Participate in departmental and division‑wide committees, assessment efforts, and strategic initiatives.
• Support housing opening, orientation, conferences, and summer programs as assigned.
• Represent VCU at professional conferences, campus events, and community engagements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Leadership Studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience developing and facilitating student leadership programs and engagement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to advise and mentor college students.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience supervising or leading student staff or volunteers.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related field.
• Experience working in residential life or housing within a higher education setting.
• Experience managing budgets and coordinating large‑scale events or conferences.
• Knowledge of student development theory and best practices in leadership education.

Salary Range

50,000–53,000

Benefits

All full‑time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package, including comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax‑deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well‑being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status

Non‑Exempt

Hours per Week

40

Restricted Position

No

ORP Eligible

No

Flexible Work Arrangement

Fully Onsite

University Job Title

35111N – Coordinator SS 1