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Posted: 22-May-23
Location: Wenham, Massachusetts
Type: Full Time
Required Education:
Additional Information:
Function: Reporting to the Dean of Student Engagement and Leadership, the Director of Student Activities is accountable for leading efforts to enhance student experience through weekly on campus programing and key annual events. Working in partnership with other offices in Student Engagement, the director is responsible for developing and overseeing programs, consistent with the mission of Gordon College. This position is accountable for the development, coordination and delivery of a student activity program that meets the needs of all students on campus. The director is responsible for supporting student clubs and organizations in the effective and efficient use of resources. The Director is also responsible for ensuring advisors are supported in their work with student clubs and organizations and serves as the advisor to the Campus Events Council (CEC) and the Gordon College Student Association (GCSA). Work is performed under minimal supervision.
Description of Duties and Tasks:
Essential Responsibilities:
1. Develop and extend the program of student activities across campus, providing opportunities for students to connect and have fun through participation in weekly events that support their personal, social, and emotional development.
2. Train student leaders in event management, ensuring creativity in the planning and design phase; effective communication and marketing that maximizes student participation; managing health, safety, and security requirements; conducting post event reviews with a focus on student engagement.
3. Work alongside student leaders in the delivery of student activities. The director is expected to attend events including those happening in the evenings and at weekends, liaising with colleagues to ensure adequate staff presence as warranted.
4. Directs the Campus Events Council, serving as the Gordon College representative for negotiating contracts for films, artists, venues, and events. mentoring student leaders as they fulfil their roles.
5. Supports CEC in the preparation of the annual budget with a focus on resource management, sustainability, and good stewardship of student fees.
6. Supervise student interns by acting as a mentor, designing, and conducting training, and providing ongoing supervision and support for their personal and professional development.
7. Develop a culture of student volunteering that maximizes student engagement in the delivery of events and activities, offering students opportunities to use their time and talents in the service of others, creating a greater sense of community on campus.
8. Serves as primary advisory to GCSA supporting the Office of the President, the Senate and the Student Organizations Union in their work. The Director will also maintain a strong dotted line to Residence Life, supporting the representatives elected by each Residence Hall and also Commuter students.
9. Monitors the effectiveness of student clubs and organizations as they fulfill their mission and purpose, providing support to ensure continuous improvement and growth.
10. Directs a leadership development program for student clubs and organizations, providing a regular program of training for leaders throughout the year.
11. Liaises with faculty/staff advisors on an ongoing basis, supporting them in their role with student clubs and organizations.
12. Participate in regular staff meetings for Student Engagement staff and Student Life staff as well as maintain strong dotted lines to Residence Life, Athletics, MIO, and ISO offices to ensure a strong weekly program of events across campus.
13. Maintain a professional image and manner consistent with Gordon’s mission and goals, as well as appropriate professional affiliations and memberships for the purposes of both personal, professional, and programmatic development.
14. Assist with miscellaneous duties as assigned.
In order to fully perform the above functions, the incumbent must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities, or demonstrate that the major responsibilities of the job can be accomplished, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some combination of skills and abilities.
1. Must profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord; must accept Gordon’s Statement of Faith; must practice Christian values in daily interactions with students, faculty, staff, and the public as outlined by Gordon’s Statement of Life and Conduct; and must work to advance Gordon’s mission through this position.
2. Master’s degree required in student development, higher education, or comparable field; over five years related experience required and at least three years in an administrative role; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have experience and expertise in student organizations and/or in the field of student development. Must be familiar with event management and trends in higher education.
3. Student development experience, working with diverse interest groups and organizations in the provision of high-quality student programing. Must have exceptional communication, organization, and mentoring skills to ensure high levels of student engagement and participation.
4. Ability to understand and work effectively with a wide range of internal departments and external partners.
5. Ability to work successfully with a range of people including faculty, administration, students, staff, professionals, and external companies.
6. Ability to project manage budgets, operations, policies, and procedures.
7. Ability to effectively supervise staff and students.
8. Ability to engage and mentor students particularly in areas of student recruitment, participation and engagement, team development, and leading in multicultural contexts.
