About the Role
The Assistant Director for Student Engagement & Commuter Initiatives provides strategic oversight for orientation programs, campus engagement initiatives, marketing and communications, commuter engagement, multi-campus experiences, and leadership development. This role creates innovative student engagement opportunities to strengthen belonging, retention, student success, and campus involvement.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the departmental lead for New Student Orientation.
- Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate Orientation Leaders.
- Design and implement all Orientation Leader training curricula and developmental experiences.
- Develop leadership outcomes, assessment measures, and training materials for Orientation Leaders.
- Coordinate onboarding and transition programs for new students and families.
- Collaborate with campus partners to ensure a seamless orientation experience.
- Assess orientation outcomes and continuously improve the student transition experience.
- Manage communication plans and student engagement efforts related to orientation programs.
- Lead campus-wide engagement initiatives designed to increase student participation, belonging, and retention.
- Coordinate and oversee large-scale student engagement programs and traditions including: Involvement Fair, Welcome Week, Maroon Mondays, Homecoming Weekend student programming, Spring Weekend, and other major campus-wide engagement events and traditions.
- Lead all Center for Student Engagement marketing, communications, and branding efforts.
- Oversee social media strategy, digital engagement, photography, videography, content creation, and departmental storytelling.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive communications calendar for departmental initiatives.
- Supervise student marketing teams and communication staff.
- Develop and execute communication plans supporting departmental initiatives.
- Analyze engagement metrics and communication effectiveness.
- Coordinate branding and messaging efforts in collaboration with university communications and marketing partners.
- Ensure consistent visual identity and messaging across all Center for Student Engagement platforms and publications.
- Develop and implement commuter engagement initiatives designed to foster belonging and connection.
- Supervise commuter student leadership structures and outreach efforts.
- Develop initiatives that support commuter student success, involvement, and retention.
- Serve as the primary Center for Student Engagement lead for student engagement initiatives at the Bronxville campus.
- Develop programs and traditions that strengthen the student experience across university locations.
- Collaborate with academic and administrative partners to support student engagement opportunities at the Bronxville campus.
- Assess the effectiveness of commuter and multi-campus engagement efforts and recommend enhancements.
- Directly supervise one Graduate Assistant assigned to orientation programs, campus engagement initiatives, commuter engagement, marketing and communications, and Bronxville campus programming.
- Provide ongoing supervision, training, mentorship, performance evaluation, and professional development for graduate staff.
- Supervise Orientation Leaders, student marketing teams, commuter leaders, and assigned student staff.
- Lead assessment efforts related to orientation, communications, commuter engagement, campus programming, and student participation.
- Develop annual reports, learning outcomes, and assessment measures for assigned areas.
- Contribute to departmental strategic planning, budgeting, annual reporting, and resource allocation.
- Serve as a member of the departmental leadership team and assist with divisional initiatives.
- Represent the Center for Student Engagement on divisional and university committees.
- Partner with departments including Residence Life, Athletics, Mission & Ministry, Admissions, Marketing & Communications, Dining Services, Facilities, and Academic Affairs to support student engagement initiatives.
- Represent the Center for Student Engagement in cross-divisional planning efforts and institutional initiatives.
- Support divisional and university-wide priorities through collaborative leadership and relationship building.
- Support evening and weekend programming as needed.
- Assist with major university events and divisional initiatives.
- Perform additional duties in support of the mission and goals of the Center for Student Engagement.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, student engagement, orientation, campus programming, marketing, communications, or related areas.
- Demonstrated experience advising student leaders and supervising student staff.
- Experience supervising graduate assistants, student staff, or professional staff preferred.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
- Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Skills
- Strong communication skills.
- Strong marketing skills.
- Strong event management skills.
- Strong assessment skills.
- Strong leadership skills.
- Experience with social media management.
- Experience with digital communications.
- Experience with student engagement platforms.
- Experience with assessment practices.
Location
- New Rochelle, NY
Work Type
- Full Time
Experience Level
- 3-5 years of experience
Education Level
- 4 Year Degree
- Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Communications, Marketing, or related field preferred.
Salary/Compensations
- $66,300.00 - $66,300.00 per year
About the Company
- Founded in 1940, Iona University is a private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers.
- Iona is a growing, highly accredited institution located just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, with campuses in New Rochelle, Bronxville, and a new location in County Mayo, Ireland.
- With over 4,000 students, Iona offers small classes, engaged faculty, and a wide range of programs across the School of Arts & Science, the LaPenta School of Business (AACSB accredited), the NewYork Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences, and the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
- Recognized by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and U.S. News & World Report, Iona is nationally ranked for academic quality, social mobility, and long term return on investment.
- The University’s continued growth and rising reputation reflect its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, service, and opportunity.
Equal Opportunity
- Iona University values and celebrates diversity and is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and applicants for employment.
- Iona is an equal opportunity employer.
- All qualified applicants will be considered free from discrimination based on any legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
- Iona University encourages applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds.
