Executive Director, Lory Student Center

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Lory Student Center (LSC) is a student-centered organization at Colorado State University, reporting as part of the Engagement and Belonging area in the Division of Student Affairs. It provides programs and services to create an inclusive community and inspire active, engaged learning. The LSC operates with a complex, self-generated $40 million budget, encompassing units such as the CSU Bookstore, LSC Dining Services, LSC Employment team (Human Resources, Talent Development, Assessment), Student Engagement Areas (Adult Learner and Veteran Services; Campus Activities; Fraternity and Sorority Life; and the Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement office), Operations, Event Planning, Marketing, Ram Card office, and contracted business partners. It is a highly active hub, hosting approximately 12,000 meetings and events annually and attracting 12,000 to 15,000 visitors daily. The Executive Director holds a prominent campus leadership position, overseeing 125 career staff and 650 student/hourly employees. This role involves leading facilities and organizational visioning, strategically aligning people and resources to ensure the LSC remains central to campus life. The Executive Director collaborates extensively with campus administrators, faculty, staff, University service partners, and directly with student leaders from the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) and the Lory Student Center Governing Board to foster engagement, belonging, student success, and operational excellence.

Requirements

Master’s degree in student affairs administration, business administration, or related degree.
Minimum of 10 years of progressive, professional full-time experience in student affairs or auxiliary services administration at a college or university.
5 years demonstrated successful financial experience in complex business operations, including budgeting, financial management, expense reduction, and revenue generation in support of key performance indicators to drive organizational improvement and support strategic planning.
5 years experience supervising full-time professional/career staff.
Strategic facility management and planning experience for capital construction and repair/renovations.
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).
Ability and willingness to respond to campus crises after hours (Essential Services Designation).

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in higher education/student affairs or related area preferred.
Experience in a senior administrative position of a college or university student union/center with increasing responsibility for supervising full-time professional/career staff.
Evidence of understanding and appreciation of the student union/student activities role in higher education as an agent and support system for co-curricular education and student learning, and as a provider of quality, comprehensive services which support engagement and belonging and build community at a university or college.
Experience in ensuring fiscal discipline and accountability for a broad portfolio of contracted and internal campus auxiliary operations, such as Bookstore, Dining, Vending, and/or ID Card Services.
Experience interacting productively with student leaders, student employees, and a broad range of student organizations across campus.
Competence in building and enhancing cooperative working relationships that includes leading cross-departmental, divisional and university collaborative teams.
Experience conducting assessments, evaluations, and improvement plans for driving data informed decision making for student programs, services, and employees.
Experience as a team leader providing direction and guidance for articulating a vision for the future and the important role of the college union and student affairs.
Experience in cultivating a dynamic campus environment that encourages innovation and cutting-edge programs and services.
Strong communication (written and verbal), organization, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated success in each area.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership and coordinate visioning and strategic planning for all LSC units, operations, programs, and services.
Manage financial strategy and a $40M annual budget, including resource allocation, capital projects, and long-term planning.
Supervise senior leaders, ensuring effective hiring, evaluation, and professional development.
Oversee maintenance, renovation planning, and long-term facility stewardship for the Lory Student Center to ensure responsiveness to evolving student needs, engagement and belonging trends, and best practices in student union leadership.
Develop and implement policies related to facility usage, student fees, risk management/safety, and operational procedures.
Champion our campus culture by elevating student involvement and belonging across all LSC programs, services and operations.
Advise and collaborate with the Lory Student Center Governing Board in its formulation and oversight of policies and funding related to the use and operation of the Student Center; advise leadership of ASCSU on various projects and initiatives, including the Student Fee Review Board.
Cultivate strong collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners to support institutional initiatives and drive student success; represent the Division of Student Affairs and LSC on multiple University committees, projects, and searches.
Ensure ongoing assessment of student needs and interests and the use of data to inform services, programs, and facilities.