About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary
Assistant Director of Student Life
University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) - Bluffton Campus
Where Leadership, Student Success, and Coastal Living Come Together
Are you passionate about creating unforgettable student experiences? Do you thrive in a dynamic, energetic environment where every day brings new opportunities to inspire, lead, and make an impact? The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) invites enthusiastic, student-centered professionals to join our team as the Assistant Director of Student Life.
Located in the heart of South Carolina's beautiful Lowcountry, USCB offers the perfect combination of a close-knit campus community, innovative programming, and an exceptional quality of life. This is more than a job-it's an opportunity to help shape the student experience while living on our scenic Bluffton campus.
Make an Impact
Reporting to the Director of Campus Recreation & Student Life, the Assistant Director of Student Life serves as a key leader in developing, implementing, and assessing engaging student life programs and services across both the Beaufort and Bluffton campuses. This position plays a vital role in creating a welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant campus culture where students thrive academically, socially, and personally.
As the day-to-day leader of the Student Life office, you'll oversee registered student organizations, coordinate leadership development initiatives, and create opportunities that foster involvement, belonging, school spirit, and lifelong leadership skills.
What You'll Do
- Lead the daily operations of the Student Life department.
- Advise and support registered student organizations, encouraging student leadership and organizational success.
- Develop, implement, and assess innovative campus-wide programs and events that engage students across multiple campuses.
- Design and facilitate leadership development programs that empower students to become confident campus and community leaders.
- Build collaborative partnerships with faculty, staff, students, parents, and community partners to enhance the student experience.
- Manage departmental budgets and monitor expenditures responsibly.
- Assess program effectiveness using data and student feedback to continuously improve services and engagement opportunities.
- Foster an inclusive campus environment where every student feels welcomed, connected, and valued.
- Assist with evening and weekend programs, signature campus traditions, and special events throughout the academic year.
What We're Looking For
The successful candidate is an energetic, creative, and highly organized student affairs professional who enjoys building relationships and creating meaningful experiences for students.
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Knowledge of student development theory, educational administration, and student engagement best practices.
- Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Experience developing engaging programs and activities that strengthen campus community.
- Ability to establish productive working relationships with students, parents, faculty, staff, and community partners.
- Experience managing budgets and monitoring expenditures.
- Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while maintaining flexibility and professionalism.
- Self-motivation, initiative, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
- A positive attitude, high energy, and a genuine passion for student success.
Live Where You Lead
This is a live-in position located on the USCB Bluffton Campus, with university housing provided.
The Assistant Director is expected to:
- Reside on campus.
- Participate in an on-call rotation to support students outside regular business hours.
- Maintain a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends, to support campus events, leadership programs, and student engagement initiatives.
Why USCB?
Nestled in South Carolina's stunning Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina Beaufort offers an exceptional opportunity to build a rewarding career while enjoying coastal living. Our campuses are known for their welcoming atmosphere, personalized student experience, and commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and community engagement.
At USCB, you'll join a collaborative team dedicated to helping students discover their passions, build lifelong friendships, and become engaged leaders on campus and beyond.
If you're ready to inspire students, build community, and help create an extraordinary college experience, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us and help shape the next generation of Sand Sharks!
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of certification, training, education and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Valid driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in the following Student Life areas: program/event planning, budget management, student engagement platform, student organizations, fraternity and sorority life, and student leadership development.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of the basic principles and theories of student development, educational administration, and public relations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, faculty, staff and the general public, to identify, develop and implement programs and activities that will benefit the campus community, and to develop budgets and monitor expenditures. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high volume environment and possess a great deal of flexibility. Ability to work independently when not working as part of the team; possess and sustain a high energy level and exhibit a positive attitude. This is a live-in position on the Bluffton campus with housing provided, requiring the Assistant Director to reside on campus and participate in an on-call rotation to support the student experience outside of regular business hours. This position will be asked to flex time to work some nights and weekends for functions and events.
Job Duties
Job Duty
Administer a comprehensive student life program on the Beaufort and Bluffton campuses by providing vision, leadership, and management for a vibrant and engaging campus experience. Serve as the administrator for the campus engagement platform, Involve, and utilize data and assessment strategies to evaluate student involvement, identify trends, and inform program development and outreach efforts. Develop and enhance student engagement pathways through oversight of major programming initiatives that connect students to organizations, leadership opportunities, and campus activities. Collaborate with campus partners to support shared goals and create positive student experiences, while providing guidance in the planning and execution of traditional events such as Welcome Week and other signature programs. Manage departmental budgets, oversee the operations of the Lagoon Lounge as a welcoming student space, and ensure compliance with institutional policies, risk management practices, and applicable regulations related to student activities and organizations.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 30 Job Duty
Oversee Registered Student Organizations (RSOs),including fraternity and sorority life, by providing leadership, guidance, and administrative support to student organizations and their advisors. Manage the student organization registration process, including new club development and on boarding, while ensuring compliance with university policies and financial procedures. Oversight of all RSO budgets and finances related to RSO. Add, Develop and deliver training opportunities for student leaders and advisors focused on leadership development, programming, budgeting, and risk management. Support student organizations through advising on event planning, engagement strategies, and membership growth, while overseeing facility reservations and maintaining the student organization handbook. Additionally, assist with Panhellenic recruitment, serve as a liaison with fraternity and sorority national organizations, and maintain knowledge of governing council policies and risk management standards.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 30 Job Duty
Deliver leadership education by designing and facilitating workshops, trainings, consultations, and collaborative programs that support student development. Develop and implement student leader recognition initiatives, including oversight of the annual Student Life awards banquet, and coordinate logistics for large-scale leadership events such as conferences and retreats. Collaborate with campus partners to integrate leadership development opportunities across programs and initiatives, while tracking student participation to assess engagement and inform future programming.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20 Job Duty
Direct and supervise two professional staff members responsible for student life on both the Beaufort and Bluffton campuses. Hire, train and evaluate professional staff using appropriate management principles according to university policy and procedures. Complete employee performance forms timely and accurately. Communicate expectations and provide feedback to assist employees with performance improvement, professional development, and skill/competency development.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15 Job Duty
Engage in ongoing professional development to remain current with best practices and research, and apply this knowledge to enhance wo...