Director of the Jared L. Cohon University Center - Division of Student Affairs

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

23d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of the Jared L. Cohon University Center (Cohon Center) is a high-impact, senior leadership role, reporting to the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs for Campus Engagement. The director is responsible for the strategic vision and day-to-day management of Carnegie Mellon’s primary community hubs. This includes the Cohon Center, the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics, and the Simmons Auditorium in the Tepper School of Business Building. The Director ensures these spaces serve as "campus living rooms" that foster a deep sense of belonging, support student well-being, and provide world-class hospitality for the university community and its global visitors. The Cohon Center is the central hub of campus life at Carnegie Mellon and operates as a vibrant 24/7 gathering space for the university community. Spanning 302,000 square feet, the building is a cornerstone of the Carnegie Mellon student experience. The Cohon Center is home to a number of departmental offices across campus, including Athletics, Community Engagement and Leadership Development, Student Involvement and Traditions, the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion and Campus Services (The University Store, Postal Services, Copy and Print Center). The Cohon Center also provides office and meeting spaces to many of Carnegie Mellon’s 400+ student organizations. The Cohon Center supports a wide range of daily activities, including meetings and conferences, special events and traditions, dining, recreational and fitness programming, student performances, studying, and social connection. In May 2016, the center opened a 62,000-square-foot expansion designed to enhance performance, wellness, and community spaces. The addition includes a state-of-the-art fitness center with 10,000 square feet of weight and cardiovascular equipment; a spin studio and two additional studios for group exercise, yoga, and dance; a studio theater for student performances; a pool spectator balcony; expanded locker room facilities; a renovated dining venue; and a new entrance and lobby featuring a donated Chihuly glass sculpture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, or relevant field required.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in student union management, auxiliary services, large-scale event operations, or other related experience required
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check
• Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States.
• Ability to manage complex vendor contracts and collaborate across cross-divisional boundaries.
• Experience managing budgets that may include venue-generating spaces and facility reserve funds.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to translate complex facility needs to diverse stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, MBA, or hospitality management preferred

Responsibilities

• Strategic Operations and High-Stakes Venue Management Flagship Oversight: Lead the operations for the Cohon Center and Highmark Center, ensuring a seamless integration of recreation, health, and student life programming.
• Complex Scheduling: Oversee scheduling and technical logistics of spaces, managing competing interests between high-profile academic lectures, corporate partnerships, and student-led events.
• Risk and Safety: Develop and enforce safety, security, and risk management protocols across all facilities, aligning with university policy and local regulations.
• Financial Management: Provide oversight for annual department budget, operating reserve, and long-term capital and audio-visual budgets, in partnership with Student Affairs Business and Financial Operations.
• Relationship Management and Service Excellence Vendor and Contract Oversight: Serve as the primary university liaison for various contracted services.
• Performance Standards: Monitor service-level agreements (SLAs) to ensure facilities are maintained to a standard of excellence that enhances CMU’s public image and daily student experience.
• Capital Projects: Partner with Student Affairs Facilities and Space Planning, in collaboration with Campus Design and Facility Development and university leadership on facility upgrades, long-term space allocation, and sustainable infrastructure improvements.
• Student Development and Mentorship Dynamic Leadership: Supervise a team of professional staff and a significant workforce of student employees (100+).
• Career Readiness: Transform student employment into a high-value leadership laboratory, focusing on the professional development, soft skills, and financial literacy of student staff.
• Well-Being Integration: Actively design and curate "third spaces" that promote mental wellness, social connection, and inclusivity for CMU’s rigorous academic population.
• Hospitality and Global Welcome Visitor Experience: Ensure the student centers provide a world-class first impression for prospective families, alumni, and visiting scholars.
• Campus Engagement: Facilitate a vibrant campus culture by supporting the diverse needs of student organizations and campus-wide traditions
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Unlock your potential with tuition benefits
• take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays
• rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access
• For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page

What This Job Offers

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