Assistant Director of Student Experience and Events

Illinois Institute of Technology • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Student Experience and Events leads student-powered recruitment and engagement initiatives that connect prospective and admitted students with the Illinois Tech community. Reporting to the Director of Admission Events, Student Experience and Visit Operations, the role provides primary professional leadership and oversight for the TeleHawk and SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) programs, and supports the Hawk Ambassador and Graduate Student Assistant programs and other assigned student engagement initiatives.

The Assistant Director oversees student recruitment, selection, training, supervision, scheduling, development, performance management, and program assessment. The position also supports undergraduate, graduate, and virtual admission events, working with admission leaders, recruitment teams, and campus partners to incorporate student leadership and authentic student engagement throughout recruitment, campus visits, events, and enrollment experiences.

This is a full-time, exempt, fully on-site position at Illinois Tech in Chicago. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening and weekend work is required for pre-scheduled major admission events and student programs, with advance notice whenever practicable. Occasional travel within the Chicagoland area, elsewhere in Illinois, or to other domestic locations may be required. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of employment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, business administration, communications, marketing, hospitality, event management, student affairs, or a related field.
• At least two years of professional experience in higher education, admissions, student engagement, student employment, orientation, events, or a related area.
• Demonstrated experience working with, advising, training, mentoring, or developing college students.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Ability to lead, coach, develop, and support student employees while maintaining clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple student programs, schedules, and competing priorities.
• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills, including addressing student employee performance, conduct, scheduling, and interpersonal concerns appropriately.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills and ability to collaborate with professional staff, students, campus partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and facilitate effective training, professional development, and student leadership programming.
• Strong service orientation and ability to create welcoming, professional, and consistent experiences for prospective students and families.
• Ability to use standard office technology and equipment in a primarily in-person campus environment.
• Ability to move throughout campus and stand or walk for extended periods during events.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and move event materials, supplies, signage, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, both presently and for the duration of employment with the university.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in higher education, business administration, communications, marketing, hospitality, event management, student affairs, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating or supervising student employees or student leadership programs.
• Experience supporting recruitment, enrollment, campus visits, orientation, or large-scale event programs in a higher education environment.
• Experience with Slate or comparable CRM, scheduling, student employment, or event management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the TeleHawk and SOAR programs and support the Hawk Ambassador and Graduate Student Assistant programs, as well as other assigned student engagement programs and initiatives.
• Establish program goals, expectations, procedures, calendars, and operating standards.
• Develop student leadership and employment experiences that promote accountability, professional development, engagement, and effective representation of Illinois Tech.
• Maintain program resources, training materials, operating documentation, and other administrative tools.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen student-to-student engagement throughout the prospective and admitted student experience.
• Recruit, interview, select, onboard, and train student employees for TeleHawk and SOAR.
• Set performance expectations and provide coaching, feedback, performance management, recognition, and professional development to student employees.
• Develop staffing schedules and monitor attendance, availability, hours, coverage, and staffing needs across TeleHawk and SOAR.
• Share oversight of the Hawk Ambassador Program with the Visitors Center Operations Coordinator, coordinating student development, training, performance, operational needs, and daily campus visit activities.
• Support planning and execution of undergraduate, graduate, and virtual admission events under the leadership of the Associate Director.
• Lead student employee staffing for major admission events, including assignments, expectations, training, and event-day coverage.
• Assess student engagement programs using participation, retention, performance, staffing, feedback, and other relevant measures, and recommend improvements.
• Support student employment administration, staffing resources, and related program expenditures in coordination with the Director and Associate Director.
• Provide direct and/or programmatic supervision for TeleHawks, SOAR Leaders, Hawk Ambassadors, and other assigned student positions.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with university contributions and matching for eligible employees
• Tuition assistance programs
• Flexible spending benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Employee assistance program
• University holidays
• Applicable paid and job-protected leave benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level