1

Executive Director Student Engagement Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director of Student Engagement Job Requisition ID: JR0000001407 Number of Openings: 1 Shift: Any (United States of America) Compensation Details: SALARY IS COMMENSURATE WITH EDUCATION AND WORK ...

Showing results 21-40

Executive Director Student Engagement information

See salary details

$33K

$91.6K

$183.5K

How much do executive director student engagement jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for executive director student engagement in the United States is $91,600.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $110,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an executive director of student engagement do?

An Executive Director of Student Engagement oversees programs and initiatives that promote student involvement, leadership development, and campus life. They collaborate with various departments to create an inclusive environment where students can participate in organizations, events, and activities. Their responsibilities often include strategic planning, budget management, staff supervision, and assessing the effectiveness of student engagement efforts. By fostering a vibrant campus community, they help support student retention, satisfaction, and overall success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an executive director of student engagement, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Executive Director of Student Engagement, you need strong leadership, program development, and student affairs experience, typically supported by a master’s degree in higher education or a related field. Familiarity with student engagement platforms, data analytics tools, and compliance regulations is often required. Outstanding interpersonal communication, cultural competency, and strategic vision are crucial soft skills for fostering inclusive and dynamic campus environments. These skills drive successful student initiatives, enhance campus life, and ensure alignment with institutional goals.

What are some of the unique challenges faced by an executive director of student engagement, and how can they be addressed?

An Executive Director of Student Engagement often faces the challenge of fostering a vibrant, inclusive campus community while balancing diverse student needs and institutional goals. Successfully addressing these challenges involves collaborating closely with student organizations, faculty, and administrative departments to create meaningful programs and initiatives. Flexibility, strong communication, and data-driven decision-making are key to adapting engagement strategies and maintaining student involvement. Regular assessment and feedback can help ensure initiatives remain relevant and impactful, supporting both student success and institutional priorities.

What is the difference between Executive Director Student Engagement vs Student Activities Coordinator?

AspectExecutive Director Student EngagementStudent Activities Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor’s degree; often master’s preferred; experience in student affairsBachelor’s degree; experience in event planning or student activities
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership in higher education; overseeing multiple programsImplementing student events; direct interaction with students
Employer & IndustryColleges and universities; student affairs departmentsColleges, universities, student organizations

The Executive Director Student Engagement focuses on strategic leadership and overseeing student engagement initiatives at a higher level, while the Student Activities Coordinator handles the planning and execution of student events directly. Both roles require experience in student affairs, but the Executive Director has broader responsibilities and a higher level of oversight.

More about Executive Director Student Engagement jobs

What cities are hiring for Executive Director Student Engagement jobs?

Cities with the most Executive Director Student Engagement job openings:

What states have the most Executive Director Student Engagement jobs?

States with the most job openings for Executive Director Student Engagement jobs include:

Infographic showing various Executive Director Student Engagement job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 74% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,600 per year, or $44 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


California State University rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

209th of 620 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Executive Director (SMSU)

Apply now Job no: 558429
Work type: Auxiliary
Location: San Bernardino - San Bernardino Campus
Categories: Excluded, MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Student Services

Santos Manuel Student Union

California State University, San Bernardino

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hiring Range: $147,865 - $184,831

Job Title: Executive Director

Department: Administration

Reports To: SMSU BOD Chair/Associate Vice President, Student Affairs

Location: San Bernardino Campus

FLSA Status: Exempt

Category: Full-Time, Regular, At-Will

Salary Grade: 12 

*This position will remain open until filled

About Santos Manuel Student Union at CSUSB

(This is not a state position)

The Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU) is a focal point of the campus where students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and guests can develop an enduring relationship with the campus. Serving as the campus social hub, the SMSU assists in the retention and development of students, while encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural pluralism, gender equity, and ethnic diversity. The SMSU nurtures an environment conducive to personal growth and development through a variety of cultural, social, educational, and recreational activities. Bridging formal learning and life experiences, the SMSU also serves as a training ground for developing student leaders through leadership opportunities and employment that promote an active learning domain.

Functioning as a meeting place on campus, the facilities provide a comfortable and relaxing environment with a multitude of services important for the University community.

SMSU North first and second floors house a variety of services and departments including: Coyote Lanes Bowling Alley, Coyote Cantina, game room, social stairs, CSUSB Bookstore, lounge spaces, The Habit Burger Grill, dining area, an outdoor plaza deck, and our massive 12,000 square foot conference center. Also known as the Student Success floor- the third floor houses our JEDI Centers: Asian and Pacific Islander Desi American Center, First Peoples Center, Latinx Center, Pan-African Student Success Center, Osher Adult Re-Entry Center, Queer and Transgender Resource Center, and Women's Resource Center.  Other campus entities include:  Associated Students Incorporated (ASI), Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, Leadership Lab, Undocumented Student Success Center and 1,000 square feet of study/lounge space.

SMSU South facilities include: a spacious lobby, relaxation and study lounge areas, meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art theater, a multi-purpose Events Center used for major events, Financial Literacy Center, Graduate Student Success Center, and E-Sports Arena.  Other services and departments located within the SMSU are Basic Needs, Obershaw Den, New Student Orientation and Family Programs, the Office of Black Student Success, and the Division of Student Affairs Office.

Work Schedule

This is a regular, full-time, salaried position. Willingness to work a flexible schedule as necessary in order to respond to emergency/urgent situations is required. This may include working extended hours, evenings, weekends and some holidays.

General Purpose

The Executive Director of the Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU), a 501 c3 auxiliary organization of CSU San Bernardino, provides leadership, management, direction, and financial oversight and serves as the senior executive accountable for strategic direction, fiscal stewardship, policy implementation, risk management, and effective administration to all areas of the SMSU including all personnel, year-round programming, facilities & operations, administrative support services, diversity & belonging-focused affinity centers, and the Recreation & Wellness Department (RecWell). Together, these areas serve more than 16,000 CSUSB students through programs, services, facilities, employment opportunities and student engagement experiences.
 
The Executive Director also provides oversight of staffing and operations to the Rancho Mirage Student Center (RMSC) located on CSUSB's Palm Desert Campus. The RMSC offers student engagement programming, similar to that of the SMSU, to the 2,000+ students who attend the PDC.
 
The areas under the purview of the SMSU Executive Director employ approximately 40 managers & professional staff members and 250+ student employees.
 
As part of the university's commitment to shared governance, the Executive Director also works directly with and in support of the SMSU Board of Directors. The Executive Director supports informed Board governance by preparing recommendations, timely reports, and decision materials, and by implementing Board-approved priorities in coordination with SMSU management/staff and university leadership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

  • Provides executive leadership for policy development, strategic planning, organizational priorities, and operational alignment across SMSU, RecWell, RMSC, and related student union programs, facilities, and services. Supports student development through collaborative programming, student employment, and professional development. Additionally, he Executive Director supports student development by ensuring students are well-informed on SMSU operations, and on essential topics about which they may be asked to provide input and/or lead discussions.
  • Establishes measurable goals and objectives emphasizing all department contributions to the overall campus experience and the financial health of both the organization and the University. Goals and objectives should also address student engagement, wellness, belonging, retention, and organizational effectiveness.
  • Oversees and leads annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with senior divisional leadership; administers and reviews all financial plans and budgets consistent with Board-approved budget procedures, student-fee purposes, reserve planning, and university/auxiliary accounting requirements.
  • Monitors financial performance, budget variances, reserve impacts, and emerging fiscal issues while keeping senior leadership team and, as appropriate, the SMSU Board of Directors and Finance & Contracts Committee abreast of the organization's financial status. Promotes audit readiness by ensuring that financial, personnel, procurement, contract, property, and operating records are complete, accurate, and retained in accordance with SMSU and CSU auxiliary requirements.
  • Engages stakeholders from the executive-level, student affairs, enrollment management, academic affairs, financial services, campus auxiliaries and student body and community to develop customer-centered plans, procedures, and policies.
  • Identifies and evaluates contractual, partnership, and shared service opportunities, with an emphasis on continuous process improvement to optimize spending and enhance service delivery to the University and regional community. Ensures that contracts, subleases, agreements, and related business arrangements are appropriately reviewed, documented, approved, and monitored.
  • Provides executive oversight of vendor and partner relationships to ensure services, agreements, and business practices align with SMSU priorities, institutional values, applicable policies, and sound business practices.
  • Coordinates capital equipment purchases; facility development and renovations; long-term facility renewal, deferred maintenance, and capital planning; and supports program initiatives.
  • Provides executive oversight for internal controls, policy implementation, audit readiness, risk mitigation, records retention, and compliance with applicable federal and state laws, CSU and campus requirements, auxiliary organization standards, and SMSU policies.
  • Ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, industry standards, institutional policies, CSU guidelines, and auxiliary operating guidelines.
  • Supports transparent and accountable governance by ensuring major fiscal, contractual, capital, and policy matters are elevated through the appropriate management, committee, Board, and campus approval channels.
  • Provides direct or indirect oversight to areas above for both the SMSU RecWell and the RMSC, including alignment of staffing, services, budgets, facilities, and student-facing programs with organizational priorities.
  • Is a member of the Student Life Team, which includes all direct reports under the AVP/Dean of Students.
  • Serves as an integral member of the division's leadership and contributes to the recruitment and retention of CSUSB students.
  • Participates in DSA Council, which includes all directors in the Division of Student Affairs.
  • Collaborates with DSA partners and colleagues across campus to develop and deliver programs that support student development, student success, and student wellness & belonging, while maintaining alignment with SMSU mission, student-fee stewardship, and campus priorities.
  • Other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Qualifications

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience                                                       

Master's Degree in Business Administration, Educational Leadership, Student Personnel Administration, or Higher Education Administration or a related field. Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible management experience. Experience should include significant responsibility for personnel supervision, budget and fiscal management, organizational leadership, policy implementation, student-centered services, and collaboration with executive leadership and/or governing boards.

Supervisory Responsibilities                                                        

Directly supervises a total of 2 directors, 2 associate directors, 5 other managers, and indirectly supervises 26 professional staff across the entire organization. Provides executive leadership for organizational structure, staffing strategy, performance expectations, professional development, succession planning, and accountability across SMSU, RecWell, and RMSC. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Also supervises an executive assistant. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Additional Skills Required                                                     

Language Skills                                                        

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to campus leadership, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Mathematical Skills                                                             

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical Inference, fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry, and /or accounting/financial analysis. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability                                                   

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Regularly exercises discretion and independent judgment.

Computer Skills                                                   

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have advanced knowledge of MS Office, including Excel Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and the ability to use enterprise financial, reporting, and administrative systems necessary for budget review, data analysis, and organizational oversight.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Certifications Licenses & Registrations

First Aid and CPR/AED certification required (certifications may be obtained within the first month of employment).

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representati...


What California State University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


California State University logo

About California State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Long Beach, CA, US