Student Activities and Engagement Program Manager

University of Colorado System; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 vacation days per year

Comprehensive health coverage

Education benefits (tuition waivers)

Wellness programs and CU Advantage

Job summary

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is seeking a Program Manager for Student Activities and Engagement to lead strategic planning for student engagement, coordinate campus traditions, and build partnerships across the university. The role includes managing events, marketing, and assessment to foster belonging and student success.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree and experience in program planning and student engagement; a Master’s degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires planning and implementing student engagement programs.
• Experience coordinating campus events and traditions.
• Strong collaboration across departments to support student success.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, promote, and assess a comprehensive portfolio of student engagement opportunities.
• Lead campus traditions, educational programs, entertainment events, and community-building initiatives.
• Supervise student employees and collaborate with Residence Life, Housing, and other staff.
• Develop marketing strategies and maintain engagement platforms and calendars.
• Track participation data and prepare reports for continuous improvement.

Skills

Program planning

Event planning

Student engagement

Supervising student staff

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Student Activities and Engagement Program Manager

Student Life and Leadership

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact inthe Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier education al institution that prides itself onacademic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Student Activities and Engagement ProgramManager to join our team! UCCS is committed to academicexcellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery—a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary/Pay Range: $ 47,351- 60,000 annually

Compensation will be commensurate upon experienceand qualifications.This position is Exempt from the Fair LaborStandards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location:

On-Site/Hybrid

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off : Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paidparental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage : Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits : Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education : Avail twelve (12) waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More : From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage,we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

The Program Manager, Student Activities and Engagement will lead long-term and short-term strategic visioning and planning for student engagement and advocate for departmental needs and resources to support student engagement. The Program Manager, Student Activities and Engagement is responsible for planning, implementing, promoting, and assessing a comprehensive portfolio of student engagement opportunities that foster involvement, belonging, retention, persistence, and student success. Reporting to the Director of Student Engagement, this position coordinates campus traditions, educational programs, entertainment events, and community-building initiatives that serve residential, commuter, and nontraditional students. The position develops collaborative partnerships across the university, leads marketing and outreach efforts, supervises student employees, and utilizes assessment data to continuously improve programs and services. Frequent evening and weekend work is required.

Essential Functions

45% Student Activities and Campus Programming

• Coordinate and assess student engagement programs and campus traditions.
• Direct and manage a full calendar of large-scale, traditional events on campus, including, but not limited to, Clyde's Kickoff, Disorientation Week, Homecoming Weekend, Winter Welcome Week, Commuter Appreciation Weeks, and other related co-sponsored events.
• Develops and facilitates ongoing weekly programs and events that engage a broad cross-section of the student body.
• Emphasis will be placed on hosting events in a wide variety of campus locations and beyond
• Lead collaborative and inclusive campus programming efforts with students, administrators, faculty, staff, and the community.
• Manage logistics, contracts, vendors, staffing, and evaluations.
• Coordinate commuter student engagement initiatives.
• In partnership with Residence Life and Housing staff, expand active and engaging student programming within the residential villages.

25% Marketing, Communications, and Student Outreach

• Develop marketing and promotional strategies.
• Maintain engagement platforms, calendars, social media, websites, and digital signage.
• Ensure alignment with university branding standards.
• Oversee the capture of high-resolution photos and videos at student events and develops promotional strategies that showcase these experiences through Student Life & Leadership and UCCS communication channels, including social media, websites, digital signage, print publications, and other outreach platforms.

15% Assessment and Program Evaluation

• Track participation and attendance data.
• Administer evaluations and surveys.
• Incorporate program and learning outcomes into a robust calendar of programs and events.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Actively serve on the campus programming committee

15% Supervision and Departmental Support

• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate student employees.
• Provide active supervision, leadership development, and mentoring.
• Participate in departmental initiatives and perform related duties

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by: October11th, 2026 .
• Potential interview dates: October 20th-22nd, 2026
• Potential 2nd interview dates: October 27th- 28th,2026
• Potential start date: November 16th, 2026 .

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

Qualifications :

• A bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• Experience planning and implementing programs and events is required.
• Must have experience supporting student engagement initiatives.
• Master's degree and higher education experience are preferred.
• Experience supervising student employees is preferred.

All employees of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) are required to complete training on policies and procedures administered by the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE), under the supervision of the Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Equity/Title IX Coordinator. Required training includes: understanding and reporting conduct prohibited by the sexual misconduct, protected class nondiscrimination, and conflicts of interest in cases of amorous relationships policies, related retaliation, and compliance with accommodations regarding disability, pregnancy or related conditions, and religion. All employees are also designated as “responsible employees” and are required to report conduct prohibited under these policies, and student disclosures of pregnancy or related conditions directly to the OIE

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has implemented an misconduct history check program with respect to final candidates for specific appointments. The misconduct history check program is intended to allow UCCS to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination – before making hiring decisions. All final candidates to these appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information and provide contact information for their previous institutions.