Assistant Director, Graduate Student Engagement

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The Assistant Director of Student Activities and Student Organizations serves as an essential member of the SASO, Student Life and Graduate School teams and has direct reporting responsibility to the Senior Director of Student Activities and Student Organizations, with additional reporting responsibility to the Dean of the Graduate School. The mission of the Department of Student Activities and Student Organizations is to provide students with purposeful and inclusive programs, resources, and experiences that enhance the UM community through learning, engagement, and upholding campus traditions. The department serves as an integral part of the Division of Student Affairs and works closely with the Graduate School, the Student Center Complex, the William R. Butler Center for Volunteer Service and Leadership Development, the Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement, Multicultural Student Affairs, the LGBTQ Center, and the Rathskeller.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Advising, Advocacy, and Student Governance

• Serves as co-advisor for the Graduate Student Association, acting as a liaison between the group, the Department of Student Activities & Student Organizations, the Graduate School, and the Division of Student Affairs.
• Serves as co-advisor for the Graduate Activity Fee Allocation Committee (GAFAC), responsible for the allocation of student fee funding to graduate students. Receives and processes funding requests from students, schedules presentations, and facilitates meetings.
• Serves as the primary staff member responsible for the administration of 30+ graduate student organizations, including organization registration and renewal and management of the GSO Handbook.
• Manages in collaboration with the Graduate School the development, implementation, and day-to-day operation of engagement programs and support services for the graduate student population.
• Edits and publishes resources and websites and conducts trainings to help communicate policies and procedures related to graduate student organizations.
• Acts as the manager of graduate student organizations on Engage, the University’s student organization management software program. 

Decision-Making/Strategy

• Contributes ideas and viewpoints to the Dean of the Graduate School and Senior Director of Student Activities on operational and strategic plans for the department, as well as collaborative partnerships within the institution.
• Represents the department on committee and workgroups as appointed by the Senior Director.
• Makes daily independent decisions to ensure department objectives are met and that university policies and procedures are followed.
• Conduct on-going assessment of graduate engagement programs and services.

Program Management and Assessment

• Supports the GSA in the planning and supervision of signature graduate student engagement events, including GradFest, the Graduate Involvement Fair, and Finals Study Breaks.
• Acts as a consultant for graduate student organizations, graduate student organization advisors, and campus departments regarding graduate student organization management, budgeting, program and event planning/management, risk management, University business practices (Purchasing, Accountants Payable, etc.), and University policy.
• Coordinates assessment and evaluation efforts to determine the effectiveness of graduate student programs and student organization support services.
• Assists with department, unit, and divisional programs such as Homecoming, Commencement, concerts, and special events.
• Performs additional responsibilities as delegated by the Senior Director of Student Activities & Student Organizations.

Budget, Risk Management, and Contract Review

• Serves as budgetary approver and provides oversight for $192,000 in student activity fee budgets.
• Process contracts and assist student organizations and their advisors to procure supplies, services, and honorariums.
• Creates, revises, and enforces policies related to graduate student organization life, working closely with the Senior Director, and the Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement, the Graduate School, University Risk Management, General Counsel, and the Office of the Dean of Students.
• Facilitates the distribution and monitoring of applicable Graduate Student Association funds to qualifying graduate student organizations.
• Manages the solicitation, coordination, and financial processing as it relates to fundraising, sponsor/donor cultivation to support departmental programs and services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to be productive in a fast-paced, multi-dimensional work environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to operate professionally and autonomously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other programs.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive within a team structure.
• Responsive and timely decision making.

Education & Work Experience Requirements (Essential Requirements):

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Higher Education Administration or related field. 
• One to three years of progressive related experience in Higher Education/Student Affairs or related field. 
• Expectation to work some nights and weekends throughout the year.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

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