Director for Student Organizations and Engagement
Director for Student Organizations and Engagement
Office of Student Activities
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
The director for student organizations and engagement serves in a leadership position for the Student Activities Office (SAO) team providing direction, support and advice to and for MIT students, student activities, clubs, and organizations. Will be responsible for the oversight for all student activities and 450+ organizations including training, policy compliance, event planning and execution and organizational management; work directly with MIT recognized groups, class councils, and student governments to strengthen the ongoing visibility and diversity of student-run programs on campus; collaboratively develop and implement programs and initiatives that foster an inclusive student community; foster communication and collaboration between and among students, the staff of Division of Student Life and the relevant programs and operations at MIT, in particular, the Campus Activities Complex (CAC), Campus Police, FSILG Office and Residential Life Programs; and serve as SAO’s direct liaison and partner with CAC in regard to event and student group advisement and support in a team-based advising approach with student organizations.
Responsibilities:
I. Program Development - Support and advise student organizations and governments, particularly in the areas of event planning, advising, and leadership development; and facilitate students’ efforts to provide a balanced program of social activities that is consistent with the Institute’s educational mission.
Specific duties include:
- Provide strategic direction for SAO with regard to student organization event planning and management
- Create and disseminate a student organization handbook
- Act as the direct liaison with student group advisors and be responsible for advisor recruitment, communication and training, including creating and disseminating a student organization advisor handbook
- Partner with other Institute offices on the implementation and communication of a “minors policy” for student organizations and activities
- Advise student organizations on an individual basis with regard to event planning--from pre-planning, to promotion and advertising, to creativity in program planning, to contracts and paying negotiations, to leadership opportunities, etc.; and initiate outreach to groups who may need assistance
- Collaborate with SAO staff on developing and facilitating online and in-person curriculum training and education for student organizations
- Work with the Associate Dean of Student Leadership and Engagement to establish learning outcomes to assess successful achievement of program objectives within SAO, and utilize results to improve programmatic offerings and student leader competencies
- Provide the coordination and leadership of major campus-wide events organized by, with, or for students and committees. Events include Spring Weekend, Fall Festival, professional development series and the Student Leader Awards; and advise the UA Events Programming Board
- Advise and meet regularly with senior and junior class councils to provide programmatic planning support for their accompanying programs help them maintain appropriate records of their events including budgets, publicity materials, final reports, etc.
- Provide guidance to student government specialty funding boards, working with a committee of students to publicize and allocate their funds on a quarterly basis; and meet with student groups to discuss their LEF/Arcade applications on a quarterly basis
- Coordinate social media strategies and outreach for the office.
Direct Student Group Advisement and Program Planning (including, but not limited to)
ASA (Association for Student Activities)
Student Programming Board
- Fall Festival
- Spring Weekend
Class Councils
- Junior and Senior Class Councils
- Senior Ball
- Senior Week
SAO Programs (including)
MIT Day of Play
II. Administration - participate in the administrative functions of the Student Activities Office. Specific duties include:
- Advise student groups on managing their risk and help educate and direct students to resources, policies, and guidelines. These policies include protection of minors in student events and alcohol use during student events. Will work with Associate Dean on implementation and communication of a domestic and international travel policy
- Ensure necessary parties are at the table to provide a holistic advising experience to better serve student organization needs, i.e., CAC event staff, police, SAO, etc.
- Serve on CAC Advisory Board and contribute to yearly projects and initiatives including space and facilities planning
- Collaborate with Associate Dean in providing leadership on behalf of SAO in space planning and capital renewal for student organization spaces
- Advise student leaders on their organization’s finances (budgeting, fund-raising, account management), working closely with the Assistant Director for Student Activities and Finance
- Lead the coordination of updates of specific promotional materials and publications for Student Activities, including Student Organizations and Student Advisor Handbook, the maintenance of the SAO blog, online training videos, social media outreach, website, etc.; and assist with the development of the Digital Event Guide
- Other duties as assigned
III. Community Development
- Assist staff across campus in the development and implementation of programs to address issues of diversity on MIT’s campus
- Share responsibility with other Student Activities staff and student planners for the coordination of activities and events as needed
Supervision Received:
Direct supervision is received from the Associate Dean for Student Leadership and Engagement Programs on an ongoing basis. Weekly meetings are held as well as problem-solving and issues resolution as needed.
Supervision Exercised:
Supervision exercised over a graduate intern for SAO
Requirements:
- Master’s degree, preferably in student personnel and/or higher education
- At least five years of experience in the area of student activities, event planning, and/or student union management
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, innovative and ever-changing environment
- Experience and skills in student advisement, conflict resolution, leadership training, and collaboration
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to navigate and balance a number of competing priorities
- Experience and familiarity with the facilitation and management of large-scale programs and events, particularly in the area of event production, negotiating contracts, and working with outside agents
- Demonstrated commitment to and appreciation for issues of diversity and community and ability to intentionally thread cultural competencies and social justice education in advising approach and programmatic initiatives
- Experience and familiarity with social media and online curriculum development
- Ability to articulate a student activities philosophy and the role of student activities in a high intensity academic environment
- Excellent writing and public speaking skills
Evening and weekend hours are required.
To Apply:
Interested candidates may apply online at https://careers.mit.edu. Please reference job number 15958 and indicate where you saw this posting.
MIT is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.