Director, Facilities & Events Operations

University of Delaware•Newark, NJ

About The Position

The University Student Centers (USCs) cultivate a vibrant, inclusive community in which students learn and thrive at the University of Delaware. As part of the Division of Student Life, the Trabant University Center, and the Perkins Student Center serve as the social and educational epicenters for the campus, providing vibrant and intentionally planned engagement opportunities that support USCs learning outcomes, but also those of the Division of Student Life and the overall educational aims of UD, as articulated by the General Education purposes and objectives. The USC team affords every student a path to contribute to the campus community and heighten their sense of belonging and well-being through on-campus employment opportunities, nationally recognized leadership development programs, over 350+ Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and dynamic and engaging campus events and traditions. The unique cross-functional nature of the department, which includes facilities, events, student organizations, and leadership programs, necessitates that each professional staff member pursues cross-unit collaborations and partnerships, as well as assumes some cross-functional duties and roles, such as opening/closing the facility based on event coverage, rotating evening- duty, serving as a professional advisor to RSOs, and providing programmatic support for department and divisional events. Collectively and through collaboration, USC’s team members play a critical role in actualizing the Division of Student Life’s mission and vision. Under the limited direction of the Executive Director, the Director for Facilities & Event Operations (DFEO) serves as a critical Division of Student Life (DSL) and University Student Centers (USCs) leader. As such, the DFEO is responsible for the strategic leadership of three campus facilities: the Perkins Student Center, Trabant University Center, and Warner Hall, totaling 254,000 square feet, 12,000+ annual reservations, welcoming more than 2.7 million visitors, and operating 7 days/week. The centers host more than 7,000 annual events in which university administrators, government officials, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and corporate representatives are in attendance.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in higher education, student personnel, counseling, or organizational management and at least 7-10 years of related experience in a college union/facility operational role, or equivalent combination of education and job experience within a diverse and inclusive student-oriented environment required.
Seven years of experience in leadership role managing teams, including supervisory experience of professional staff and personnel management.
Effective team builder and group leader.
Ability to communicate and implement a strong leadership vision for facility excellence, renovations and construction, event services, and student development.
Experience as a systems thinker with a strategic mindset that aligns with divisional and institutional priorities.
Experience leading strategic planning and innovative organizational change.
Demonstrated ability to establish, maintain, and enhance effective and productive partnerships with external and internal key stakeholders, including faculty, staff, administrators, families, students, employers, and alumni.
Proven track record in meeting goals dependent upon internal and external partnerships.
Commitment to students and maintaining an inviting, inclusive, and equitable office ethos and environment.
Demonstrated effective skills in collaboration, project and program management, presentation, reporting, and oral and written communication.
Ability to utilize data, assessment tools, traffic data, and room usage reports to analyze and inform improvements and future needs.
Ability to set, assess, and utilize learning and success outcomes.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and act with discretion.
Ability to take risks, assess and shift priorities, and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
Ability to utilize Momentus (or similar event management software), MS office suite, and social media technologies for marketing, analysis, and work products.
Ability to travel and work nights and weekends as needed.
Ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community and to maintain a positive and collaborative work environment.
Commitment to an organization that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Extensive experience in budget development and oversight, retail sales, conferencing, customer service, and marketing/branding.
Effective leadership skills with experience in contract negotiation, facility renovations, event management, and training and staff supervision.
Knowledge of principles and procedures of organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures, financial/business analyst techniques, and student support programs and services.
Knowledge of emergency preparedness, response protocols and procedures, and ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Knowledge of emergency disaster recovery plans.
Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques, assessment, and referral skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading student centers operations, event services, or related office or team in higher education is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day direction, leadership, coordination, and fiscal management of facilities, including policy, staff, services, programs, budget, marketing, technology, and facility oversight.
Ensure event operations and scheduling processes are aligned and integrated acrossfacilities.
Responsibilities include oversight of the WVUD radio station, The Review newspaper, Information/Retail Desk Sales, Vendor Program, Hen Zone Game Room, and a state-of-the-art Esports arena and Auxiliary Arena.
The DFEO develops emergency action plans, and a schedule for repairs, replacement, major and minor renovations, as well as new construction, to ensure that the spaces provide dynamic and vibrant programming and learning environments for students as well as efficient and effective spaces for the university and outside community.
In the event of a campus, state, or national emergency, both USCs serve as 24/hr. areas of refuge for the campus community.
The DFEO serves on the Senior Leadership Team of the USCs, assuming key roles in department decision-making through a participative leadership approach to meeting the department's mission and goals.
As part of the cross-functional nature of this department, the DFEO not only handles the event and facility-related matters associated with Perkins, Trabant, and Warner Hall but also serves as an advisor to student organizations and supports colleagues in the development and implementation of large-scale programs and events.
The DFEO develops strategic, collaborative partnerships with other university departments in Student Life and across the university, including Facilities, Public Safety, Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Purchasing / Accounting / Business, Dining Services, Conference Services, and the Lerner Business School (Vita Nova restaurant) in the delivery of excellent services and programs.
Lead staff teams in developing collaborative facilities and institutional programs and initiatives with the Division of Student Life, colleges, and campus partners.
Ensure the delivery of services, programming, and initiatives to meet the diverse needs of facility users.
Collaborate with Undergraduate Admissions and Pre–College Programs to assist in executing programming, services, and resources to expand prospective students’ understanding of opportunities within the USCs and DSL.
Create, revise, and implement policies governing facility operations, programs, and services, and actively advocate needs to senior administration.
The DFEO is responsible for the management and direct supervision of two Associate Directors, and one Assistant Director.
The DFEO indirectly supervises 10 additional staff.
The DFEO establishes performance standards for 13 - 15 professional staff and 70 - 100 student staff.
Conduct office, team, and individual staff meetings to develop and strengthen team functions and staff members' professional capacities.
Responsible for the Student Training and Employment Program (STEP) to ensure that each student staff member is well prepared to provide excellent customer service to the campus community as well as develop leadership skills and competencies for post-graduate success.
Select, train, supervise, and assess Facility & Event Operations Team direct reports and roles supporting facility office operations.
Direct and guide staff on ways to actively build relationships and foster best practices to ensure a high-quality service model to further enhance student and client experiences.
Assist the management and direct decision-making for the day-to-day unit budget, including budget planning, cost analysis, and financial reporting activities of a $2.6 million annual budget.
Serve as a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT) and lead initiatives to integrate student success resources, programs, services, and experiences into the division.
Serve on divisional and institutional committees as requested.
Lead assessment and continuous improvement efforts by overseeing the collection, analysis, and report of outcomes and success metrics, using data to inform strategic planning and respond to evolving student and workforce needs.
Utilize advisory groups and stakeholder feedback to inform decision-making and implementation and refinement of programs, services, and polices.