Director of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement - Office of Student Engagement

The University of Illinois at Chicago seeks a Director of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement (SLCE). This position is responsible for the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement’s effort to develop and implement campus-wide initiatives for service learning, leadership development, and civic learning and provides assessment, supervision, budget planning, and strategic planning of departmental initiatives and goals. This position directly impacts the training and professional development of an Associate Director, graduate assistants, and student staff employees.  A qualified candidate for this position is an innovative leader of student engagement efforts to create a student-centered culture.

Responsibilities include:

 Leadership/Administrative Role:

• Establishes the strategic direction by setting specific short and long-term SLCE goals, as well as creating leadership, service, and civic engagement learning outcomes.
• Contributes to the mission, vision, and goals of Student Affairs by providing feedback and ideas about strategic plans and action items.
• Accountable for the development of campus wide policies and/or strategies affecting student engagement programs and processes.
• Identifies and manages technology and marketing needs for the department.
• Directs daily operations that include human resources, information systems, procurement, customer service, quality improvement, required trainings, and adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols.
• Leads key stakeholder meetings for all three areas of student leadership, service, and civic engagement.
• Participates/leads in university wide committees and collaborate with Civic Action Core Group, Public Government Affairs, Community Engagement, Office of Diversity, Campus Housing, Dean of Students, Alumni, Enrollment Management, Advancement/Alumni, Risk Management, Facilities, and other departments to provide support and programming to campus.
• Understands and articulates various federal, state, and local laws, trainings, and mandates related to the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Financial Management:

• Develops and implements financial objectives, direct the financial planning process, and prepare and reconcile departmental budgets.
• Fiscally responsible for expenses and revenue related to Student Leadership & Civic Engagement.
• Responsible for purchasing event supplies, marketing materials, and promotional items.
• Creates, reviews, and approves vendor forms, miscellaneous vouchers, and contracts.

Staff Management/Team Dynamics:

• Plans, assigns and reviews work of staff to ensure that group objectives are met.
• Hires, trains, develops, and manages staff to ensure that staff are successful in their roles and meet performance goals, make progress on initiatives, and effectively advise/mentor students.
• Identifies professional development opportunities and provide regular feedback for direct reports to advance professionally.

Program Development:

• Identifies trends and issues related to student engagement on college campuses which may impact UIC students and our campus.
• Develops and implements campus-wide SLCE programs and services in-person and virtual.
• Creates and implements UIC’s service-learning initiatives by working collaborative with our academic partners, student leaders, student organizations, and community partners.
• Facilitates educational opportunities to increase civic learning and leadership development.
• Responsible for voter engagement, early voting, and post-election programs for local, state, and federal elections.
• Responsible for assessment initiatives, reporting outcomes, and implementing changes.
• Centralizes programming logistics and marketing efforts for campus-wide initiatives.
• Performs other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• A Master’s Degree in Student Affairs/Higher Education with at least six years of progressive experience and skills related to full time staff supervision, strategic planning, assessment, goal setting, implementation of initiatives, student leadership development, event planning and production, and financial management at a university/college is required.

• Demonstrates effective leadership with sound decision making, facilitating, problem solving, interpreting policy/procedures, and working effectively with team members, colleagues, campus leadership, community partners, non-profit organizations.

• Demonstrates a strong work ethic, integrity, initiative, flexibility, high level of productivity, and leadership characteristics to contribute to the UIC experience.

• Must possess a strong interest in serving a diverse student population effectively including advocacy efforts and educational outreach activities.

Preferred:

• Understanding of Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners. In-depth understanding of student development theory, CAS professional standards, and the Student Affairs professional competency preferred.

• Experiences with conflict resolution, crisis management, working with student groups, program development, and teaching educational workshops and college courses preferred.

About the University of Illinois at Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 33,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). In fall 2018, UIC enrollment reached 31,683 students making it the fourth year of record-breaking enrollment for the university. UIC currently has the strongest enrollment momentum in Illinois. Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. In fall 2019, UIC added its newest college Chicago’s John Marshall Law School becoming part of UIC. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. The university is in the midst of a $750 million campaign and recently released a campus master plan that will reimagine UIC’s campus.  Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Student Affairs at UIC:

With over 500 staff members and 1,100 student employees, Student Affairs is comprised of 25 departments responsible for providing programs, services, and facilities that support student engagement, learning, and success.  Student Affairs recently embarked on a new plan driving the organization called Ignite 2025: The plan for student life at UIC.  The vision is to provide the premiere urban university student experience. 

Benefits:

UIC offers an excellent benefits package inclusive of health including vision coverage, dental and life insurance and participation in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS).  Benefits also include paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, as well as many optional benefits. 

For fullest consideration, please submit an online application that includes an uploaded cover letter and resume as well as the names and contact information of three references by June 7, 2021 via the university online application system, through the following link:

https://jobs.uic.edu/job-board/job-details?jobID=145065

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899

The University of Illinois at Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.  We strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans.

The University of Illinois at Chicago may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.  Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting.