Director, Student Life and Events

Job Description:

The Director, Student Lifeand Events (Director) serves as a member of The Chicago School’s Student Success team. Founded in 1979, The Chicago School is an independent, non-profit institution with a dynamic student body and a professionally accomplished faculty. The Director must show a strong commitment to The Chicago School’s mission, vision, and values.

TheDirector managesstudent life and events university wide. This is an opportunity to leverage best practices and implement innovative solutions that enrich the student experience, eliminate barriers, and promote persistence and success for all learners.

The Director maintains collaborative, professional relationships with faculty and other student-facing departments to implement programs, services, and activities consistent with the University’s mission, strategic goals, and regulatory requirements.The Director must exercise a high degree of responsibility, show sharp attention to detail, and use independent judgment.The Director must have experience working with adult learners in geographically dispersed and virtual learning environments.

This is a hybrid position that requires on-campus work three days per week at theChicago location. Please find the locations of the campus at https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/in-the-community/locations/.Travel to major student events, particularly Commencement, is required.

Responsibilities

University Student Events

• Oversee programmatic areas and supervise staff in practice areas including but not limited to new student orientation (including pre-orientation), commencement, student activities and organizations, and student wellness.

• Manage vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and event logistics for streamlined event flow, engagement, and student success.

• Develop a comprehensive plan for student events designed to meet the unique needs of adult learners and aligned with the university’s mission, vision, and values.

• Supportallaspects of the First Gen Student Success program.

• Serve as a liaison with administration, faculty, staff, and students to foster effective communication, collaboration, and support, ensuring the successful implementation of departmental initiatives and enhancing the overall student experience.

• Create and revise effective communication strategies for internal and external stakeholders to maximize engagement, participation, and student development.

• Develop and implement assessment tools that measure the effectiveness of university events and services and use datafor continuous improvement.

• Support the careful management of budgets for all university events and services providedbythe Student Life and Events(SLE)team.

Student Engagement

• Continuously analyze the student lifecycle from pre-matriculation to graduation to identify opportunities to boost students’ success through co-curricular engagement.

• Advocate for the needs and concerns of students to create, sustain, and evolvesupportive and inclusive environments.

• Design, implement, evaluate, and maintaineffective student events for both in-person and distance learning students.

• Oversee and guide student organizations and activities that promote student engagement, leadership, and professional growth.

• Lead initiatives to create a culture of student well-being, including promoting wellness education through physical and mental health resources.

Student Success

• Support the implementation of the annual Student Experience Survey.

• Support the maintenance of online content for all assigned functions on the student website, the faculty and staff intranet, The Chicago School website, and other digital platforms.

• Receive and respond to reports of students in crisis or of concern, providing support and intervention to students and university stakeholders.

• Monitor students of concern through meticulous documentation, intervention, and crisis response, as needed.

• Serve on university-wide committees and work groups, as assigned.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Evidence of culturally competent practice and demonstrated ability to serve the needs of diverse students, especially those holding historically marginalized identities.

• Ability to juggle multiple competing demands and set priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining superb attention to detail.

• Demonstrated ability to work both autonomously and as part of a diverse team, always with flexibility, enthusiasm and determination.

• Ability to anticipate issues before they arise and prioritize them appropriately once they do.

• Ability to work independently, think critically, and problem solve.

• Ability to deploy excellent communication and interpersonal skills with varied audiences including with individuals and in groups.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information.

• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and technological skills, including the use of Microsoft Office.

• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.

• Earned master’s degree in a relevant discipline from a regionally accredited institution.

• Four to six years of relevant professional work experience, including with university-wide events.

University Information

For more information about The Chicago School, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. The Chicago School is part of The Community Solution Education System. For more information about The Community Solution, visit www.tcsedsystem.org

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $$70,000 to $80,000 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/career-opportunities/

The Chicago School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note: For the protection of faculty, staff, students, and all who enter our facilities, The Chicago School strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per CDC guidance.