Associate Director for Impact Programs

University of Kansas•Lawrence, KS

About The Position

The Associate Director for Impact Programs strengthens the University of Kansas student experience by overseeing programs and services that address student basic needs, including the Campus Cupboard, Pregnant and Parenting Pantry, clothing and winter clothing closets, and the Emergency Aid Network. The role supervises professional, graduate, and undergraduate staff and works with students, university colleagues, and community partners to extend the reach of the Student Engagement Center. The position reports to the Director of the Student Engagement Center and serves on the center’s leadership team. The Student Engagement Center supports student involvement, leadership development, impact programs and resources, and community programs. It provides direct support through basic-needs services and fosters student connection, community, and success. Student Affairs supports students across their KU experience as they pursue academic and personal goals. The position oversees the design, operations, staffing, technology, communications, inventory, budgets, and assessment of impact programs and services. It also coordinates student emergency aid processes and collaborates with campus partners to address complex student needs. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field plus three years of related experience, or a bachelor’s degree plus five years of related experience.
Three years of experience advising and/or working directly with food security, basic-needs services, case management, and/or emergency-aid resources on a college campus.
Applied knowledge of best practices and national trends affecting student basic needs, including food and housing security and emergency-aid resources.
Two years of experience supervising staff or volunteers.
Demonstrated experience collaborating with students, staff, faculty, administrators, and other community members.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Formal degree in a cited discipline area is required.
Availability to work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Social Work with related licensure or the ability to acquire licensure within the first two years of employment.
Full-time work experience in a college or university setting.
Experience collaborating with internal and external constituents and fostering productive relationships across audiences.
Experience with professional development and professional associations, demonstrated through memberships and/or presentations.
Experience developing and implementing educational materials, programs, and workshops.
Experience developing policies and procedures related to college students.
Experience developing, implementing, and assessing learning outcomes and strategic plans and priorities related to college student engagement.
Experience managing confidential and sensitive information.
Experience developing and managing complex organizational budgets.
Experience creating educational environments for college students.

Responsibilities

Establish a dynamic, future-oriented mission and vision for impact programs and services, aligning activities with the unit’s mission, vision, and strategic initiatives.
Direct the Campus Cupboard, Pregnant and Parenting Pantry, clothing and winter clothing closets, and related impact services, including procedures for student use.
Ensure public spaces and storage facilities meet the evolving needs of students, and establish operating hours that support broad access.
Oversee use of Pantry Soft and related technology platforms, and recommend platforms for adoption or removal.
Develop donation, purchasing, and inventory systems to ensure students have access to basic-needs products.
Lead campus initiatives to raise awareness of impact programs and encourage student use, drives, and donations.
Collaborate with local, regional, and national suppliers to increase program inventory.
Supervise program coordinators, graduate assistants, undergraduate student employees, and one or more School of Social Welfare practicum students; maintain the relationship with the school and eligibility as a practicum site.
Oversee communications promoting impact programs and services in coordination with Student Engagement Center and Student Affairs staff.
Develop and manage impact program budgets in collaboration with the Director.
Represent Student Affairs in the KU Emergency Aid Network and support strategic use of student emergency-support funds.
Develop a process for reviewing emergency-aid applications and making timely funding determinations.
Partner with campus offices to promote emergency-aid resources to students.
Collaborate with student-care resources and campus partners to respond to individual student needs and manage complex situations.
Document student needs and support efforts using existing resources and platforms; provide ongoing support and follow-up as needed.
Foster evidence-based decisions and practices for basic-needs programs and the Emergency Aid Network.
Oversee assessments of program effectiveness, track trends in basic-needs services within and beyond KU, and project future needs.
Cultivate relationships with the KU Endowment Association, develop donor materials, and provide feedback and appreciation to donors.
Benchmark KU programs with peer institutions and professional organizations against regional, national, and international best practices.
Develop, monitor, and evaluate program learning outcomes, ensuring programs advance departmental, Student Affairs, and university learning outcomes.
Serve on Student Engagement Center, Student Affairs, and university-wide committees as needed, and perform other duties as assigned.