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The Assistant Director for Student Engagement & Commuter Initiatives serves as a leader within the Center for Student Engagement (CSE). This position provides strategic oversight for orientation programs, campus engagement initiatives, marketing and communications, commuter engagement, multi-campus experiences, and leadership development initiatives.

The Assistant Director is responsible for creating innovative student engagement opportunities that strengthen belonging, retention, student success, and campus involvement while ensuring effective communication and promotion of student experiences across the university. This position works collaboratively with campus partners to advance student success, retention, belonging, leadership development, and institutional engagement while contributing to departmental strategic planning, assessment, and operational effectiveness.

The Assistant Director directly supervises a Graduate Assistant and student staff while providing leadership for departmental strategic initiatives, assessment efforts, and cross-functional campus partnerships. As a member of the departmental leadership team, this position contributes to departmental planning, resource management, policy development, and the advancement of the Center for Student Engagement's mission and goals.

Primary Responsibilities

Orientation and Transition Programs

• 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.

Campus Experience and Signature Events

• 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

  • Other major campus-wide engagement events and traditions

Marketing, Communications, and Digital Engagement

• 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.

Commuter and Multi-Campus Engagement

• 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.

Assessment, Strategic Planning, and Staff Supervision

• 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.

Campus Collaboration and Institutional Engagement

• 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.

Additional Responsibilities

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Communications, Marketing, or related field preferred.

• 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.

• Strong communication, marketing, event management, assessment, and leadership skills.

• Experience with social media management, digital communications, student engagement platforms, and assessment practices.

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

About Iona/EEO Statement:

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.

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.