Director of Military Student Engagement and Strategic Initiatives

Point Loma Nazarene University•San Diego, CA

13d•$70,304 - $75,000

About The Position

PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical, Wesleyan tradition, offering quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant Christian environment where minds are engaged and challenged, character is modeled and formed, and service is an expression of faith. PLNU is an institution that is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of God’s kingdom. We therefore encourage applications from culturally diverse candidates. Benefits: We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, competitive retirement matching, vacation and sick time, and 15 paid holidays per year. In addition, we have many opportunities to engage with our community including staff chapel and a robust wellness program. Job Summary: The Director of Military Student Engagement and Strategic Initiatives serves as the university’s lead strategist, advocate, and connector for all military-affiliated students across undergraduate, graduate, and adult learner populations. Reporting to university leadership, this role is responsible for creating and executing a vision of military-connected student success through purposeful engagement, community building, and external partnerships. While this position is housed in Graduate and Professional Studies, the position serves all three student populations (Graduate, Accelerated Undergraduate, and Traditional Undergraduate). Guided by a commitment to belonging and holistic student development, the Director builds programs that foster retention, leadership, and identity for military-connected students, including active-duty personnel, veterans, dependents, spouses, reservists, ROTC members, and tuition assistance recipients. The Director also plays a pivotal role in expanding PLNU’s visibility and presence through military outreach, community engagement, and recruitment support initiatives. At PLNU, you won’t just be joining a role; you’ll be joining a team. The Graduate and Professional Studies division is a highly collaborative, agile, and resilient group of professionals who embrace change as a pathway to growth. We lead with a posture of collaboration, learning, excellence, and humility, seeking to honor God in all that we do. This role offers not only the opportunity to impact the lives of military-connected students but also to grow personally and professionally. You’ll find ongoing support for development, upskilling, and leadership refinement. All within a culture grounded in purpose, faith, and service. If you’re looking for a place where you can make an impact and grow with a team that truly cares, you’ll feel right at home here.

Requirements

Required Education: Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, public administration, or related field.
Exceptional interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
High emotional intelligence, professionalism, and discretion in handling student matters.
Ability to thrive in a cross-functional environment, working collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
High level of personal integrity, reliability, and commitment to results.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM tools; comfort working with data to drive strategy.
Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement.
In addition, staff agree to live in agreement with PLNU’s Community Life Covenant .
The job offer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.

Nice To Haves

Preferred Experience: Military service (veteran or active duty), plus prior experience in higher education leadership or student engagement.
Proven experience in developing and executing strategic initiatives.
Demonstrated understanding of military culture, challenges, and educational pathways.

Responsibilities

Student Engagement & Belonging Design, implement, and maintain strategic initiatives that promote a strong sense of belonging, leadership, and personal development among military-connected students.
Create and lead programs, workshops, and events that foster academic success, social integration, and career readiness.
Build intentional engagement strategies for key populations (veterans, active duty, dependents, spouses, reserve, and ROTC).
Support the development and leadership of student groups such as the Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter.
Partner with campus departments (e.g., Wellness, Residence Life, Spiritual Development) to support the holistic development of military-connected students.
Track and assess student engagement outcomes related to retention, satisfaction, and leadership involvement.
Represents and advocates on behalf of military-connected students throughout the university community.
Strategic Outreach & Partnerships Serve as the university’s representative to military-connected communities, building strong relationships with base education offices, community organizations, and regional military support groups.
Collaborate with Marketing, Enrollment, and Advancement to create outreach campaigns and promotional materials that enhance awareness of PLNU’s military programs.
Lead or support development of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with key military partners.
Identify and attend military education fairs, veteran career expos, and community events to increase recruitment pipelines and elevate brand visibility.
Host signature military-focused events and recognition ceremonies on and off campus.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Strategic Initiatives Act as a subject matter resource for military culture, student transition challenges, and best practices in supporting military-affiliated learners.
Develop and implement strategic plans that align with institutional goals and the evolving needs of military-connected students.
Collaborate with Student Financial Services to ensure smooth transitions for students navigating benefits, even though direct compliance responsibilities reside outside this role.
Collaborate with Student Success, Records, and Advising to ensure accurate academic advising to align with veteran benefits, even though direct responsibilities reside outside this role.
Participate in institutional committees and initiatives focused on student success, diversity and inclusion, or community partnerships.
Provide recommendations and feedback on evolving team structure, systems, and operational needs as the department continues to grow and refine.
Implement and provide leadership to a Military-affiliated Advisory Board.