Director of Student Engagement

Paul Smith's College•Paul Smiths, NY

16h

About The Position

The Director of Student Engagement provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for programs and initiatives that strengthen student belonging, well-being, persistence, and success at Paul Smith’s College. Guided by the College’s experiential learning model and hands-on philosophy, the Director designs, implements, and assesses a comprehensive engagement framework spanning the student experience and supporting institutional retention and student success goals. As a senior member of the Student Life leadership team, the Director works closely with the Dean of Student Life to advance departmental priorities, coordinate selected cross-functional initiatives, and respond to emerging student needs. The role collaborates across the institution on student-focused strategies that support the College’s strategic plan and uses data and analytics to measure impact and guide continuous improvement. The Director is a member of the Enrollment and Experience Council. The Director oversees an annual calendar of social, recreational, and cultural student programs; supervises professional and student staff; advises student organizations and the Student Government Association; and collaborates on initiatives such as Living Learning Communities, New Student Orientation, Welcome Week, and Open House. The role also supports coordinated budget and resource planning, contributes to assessment and strategic planning, and promotes compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations related to student life, health, and safety. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position in the Department of Student Life. It reports to the Dean of Student Life and has an annual salary range of $85,000 to $90,000. Evening and weekend work is required as needed throughout the academic year. Work is consistently performed in an indoor office setting with seasonal normal temperature ranges and the typical noise of a busy office. Physical activities include prolonged sitting, regularly lifting up to 10 pounds, carrying light to moderate office items, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing campus staircases, and using manual dexterity and fine motor skills for office and laptop work. There may be infrequent reaching overhead or below knee level. Good vision, including color vision, and good hearing are required, with corrective lenses or assistive devices as necessary.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in Student Engagement, Campus Activities, or Student Affairs.
Proven success advising student organizations and/or student government bodies.
Demonstrated ability to apply and use analytics to evaluate engagement and inform program strategy.
Demonstrated ability to supervise diverse teams and manage complex programs.
Strong understanding of student development theory, engagement strategies, and retention practices.
Commitment to inclusive, community-based, and experiential education.
Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Leadership ability and the ability to build effective professional collaborative relationships across departments and with external partners.
Enthusiasm and skill in working with diverse student populations.
Ability to work with diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive workplace.
Ability to navigate complex challenges, analyze situations, determine next steps, and implement solutions.
Demonstrated skill in organizing work, files, and records to maintain efficient workflow and robust processes.
Strong computer skills and ability to use varied data sources and the current Microsoft Office Suite.
Present oneself outside the College in a manner consistent with the College’s core values.
Availability for evening and weekend work as needed throughout the academic year.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for a campus-wide student engagement approach that supports inclusion, belonging, well-being, and persistence from enrollment through graduation.
Supervise professional and student staff; manage budgets and resources; and ensure efficient, mission-aligned operations across the Student Engagement portfolio.
Oversee hiring, training, and evaluation of staff and student employees within the Office of Student Engagement.
Contribute to departmental strategic planning, priority setting, assessment, and planning for future growth.
Coordinate selected department-wide priorities by establishing timelines, clarifying responsibilities, tracking progress, and keeping the Dean informed of emerging issues.
Develop and implement an annual calendar of student programs aligned with Student Life and College strategic plans, including program design, implementation, and evaluation across social, recreational, and cultural themes.
Provide primary staff supervision for registered student clubs and student-led organizations, ensure compliance with College guidelines, and help develop strategies to enhance their visibility.
Advise the Student Government Association and guide student leaders in governance, advocacy, cross-campus collaboration, and amplifying the student voice.
Assess engagement programs and student experience initiatives; compile and analyze data, report findings, identify trends and gaps, and collaborate on improving services and outcomes.
Collaborate within Student Life and across the College on integrated student success strategies, including Living Learning Communities and other cross-functional programs.
Lead or collaborate on New Student Orientation, Welcome Week, Open House, and other cross-functional initiatives designated by the Dean of Student Life.
Convene and facilitate cross-functional teams as needed to address issues spanning multiple areas of the student experience.
Serve on the Enrollment and Experience Council and other assigned committees or working groups, contributing to student persistence and graduation strategies.
Work closely with the Dean of Student Life and maintain communication with the Dean of Curriculum to coordinate priorities across academic and Student Life areas.
Represent the Department of Student Life in meetings and initiatives as designated by the Dean.
Ensure compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations related to student life, health, and safety, and promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive campus environment.
Support coordinated planning across Student Life by reviewing relevant budgets, identifying shared resource needs, and advising on effective allocation.
Identify and support opportunities for grants, partnerships, and external funding that enhance student services and advance departmental priorities.