Director of Student Life

One of the nation’s leading public polytechnic universities, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) prepares students to be leaders in the technology-dependent economy of the 21st century. The university’s multidisciplinary curriculum and computing-intensive approach to education provide the technological proficiency, business know-how, and leadership skills that future CEOs and entrepreneurs will need to succeed. With an enrollment of over 11,500 undergraduate and graduate students, NJIT offers small-campus intimacy with the resources of a major public research university.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Students/VP for Students Affairs and Dean of Students, the Director of Student Life directs the overall student life program for NJIT, working closely with the staff of the Dean of Students and Campus Life, Residence Life, Alumni Relations and Athletics to create a vibrant and student-centered community. The Director provides oversight

to the functional areas within Student Life including commuter life, leadership and programming, student organization advisement, annual events, diversity programs, the Food Pantry and Game Room, and the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Additionally, the Director supervises, trains, and evaluates a team of six professional staff members and provides overall advisement NJIT’s two governing student bodies: the Student Senate and Graduate Student Association.

Essential Functions   Personnel/Supervision

• Overall responsibility for the total staff development program which includes recruitment, selection, evaluation, ongoing professional development and recognition for outstanding service for the offices of Student Life and Fraternity and Sorority Life.

• Supervise on a day-to-day basis the Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Associate Director of Leadership and Programming, Assistant Director for Leadership and Diversity, Assistant Director of Commuter Life and Operations, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Administrative Assistant.

• Foster a climate of collaboration among the Student Life staff members and students and demonstrate a commitment to excellence and NJIT pride.

• Develop and manage strategic planning for the Office of Student Life and the functional areas within to be in alignment with the division of student affairs’ vision and goals and institution’s 2025 strategic plan.

Administration/ Budget

• Develop and manage annual budgets for Student Life; Approves, tracks and monitors expenditures according to all department, division and university guidelines and regulations.

• Responsible for the development, revision and approval of all policies and procedures, affecting student life programs and student activities.

• Maintain active engagement in professional associations; remains knowledgeable regarding regional and national trends affecting college life.

• Ensure that all NJIT management’s considerations are carefully managed throughout event planning and implementation

• Oversee and ensure the delivery of marketing and promotion of Student Life and associated offices including social media, websites, and print media.

• Manage the implementation and daily oversight of Highlander Hub, NJIT’s student engagement platform

Essential Functions

Student Life

• Student contact: Maintain contact with students through regularly scheduled meetings, individual contacts, student organization advisement including the Student Senate, GSA, and all University-Serving organizations, and through activities which enable the Director to be kept informed about student’s interests and concerns; Develop a positive relationship with students and student staff so they will freely interact with Student Life staff members.

• Provide the initiative and ideas in developing new programs and activities to enhance campus life.

• Oversee campus-wide programs and initiatives that instill NJIT pride including Homecoming; Participate and assist with planning for campus events including Pancakes with President, NJIT LEADS, Orientation, Open House, Convocation, Commencement and other events as needed.

• Maintains a system of professional staff coverage for evening and weekend activities as needed.

Leadership

• Serve as member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team; Advise the Associate Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students on all matters pertaining to student life in general, and all matters pertaining to student concerns. Serve on committees assigned by the Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students. Prepare reports as
• requested by the Associate Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students to include financial assessment, campus engagement, satisfaction and learning outcome expectations.

• Public Relations: Maintain an on-going relationship with area college student life staff, notably Rutgers-Newark student services staff.

• Act as a liaison with other University offices, including: Dean of Students and Campus Life, C-CAPS, Residence Life, Athletics, Alumni Relations, and the Women’s Center; Responds in a timely fashion to all student and University staff concerns relative to student activities.

• Serve as a conduct officer when assigned by the Office of the Dean of Students and Campus Life as it relates to code of student conduct violations by student organizations including fraternities and sororities.

Additional Functions

• Conduct all personnel matters in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.

• Conduct regular group and individual meetings with Student Life staff.

• Maintain an ongoing working relationship with the Director of Campus Center Operations with respect to facility maintenance, as it pertains to supporting student life initiatives.

• Develop and maintain services and programs that enhance sense of belonging and support for identified populations such as LGBTQ+, Veterans, racial, religious, and ethnic underrepresented populations.

• Respond to emergencies and urgent situations whether such incidents take place during or outside of normal work schedule. Such situations may include student injury or death, power-outage during student events, behavioral incidents at student events requiring Public Safety intervention, and weather-related emergencies.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Prerequisite Qualifications

Master’s Degree. 7+ years’ experience in student life administration. Experience in supervising professional staff and budget management.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration or related field.

Experience with one or more of the following: Public institution, science/technology focused students, diverse student body, and first-generation college students. Experience with fraternity and sorority life advisement.

Application Information

A review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

To apply, please visit: https://njit.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?site=1&id=3148

Applicants with questions regarding the application process may be directed to Sean Dowd, Associate Dean of Students (sdowd@njit.edu) or Dr. Grace Gangitano, Director, Office of Academic Advising (grazia.gangitano@njit.edu).

As an EEO employer NJIT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching, research, and working environment and strongly encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women.

We are committed to make diversity, equity and inclusion, part of everything we do. We celebrate the diversity of our university community and recognize the cultural and personal differences. We strive to cultivate an inclusive campus culture that promotes excellence among our faculty, staff and students. Building a robust and diverse community is critical to NJIT’s continuing status as a premier institution of higher education and a leading polytechnic university.