Associate Director, University Life Mason Square

Department: University Life

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Arlington, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Salary: Starting salary range low $80k; commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

University Life Mason Square supports every student at Mason Square from orientation to graduation. Our team coordinates with offices throughout George Mason University to ensure that all Mason Square students receive the support they need, either in-person or virtually. In addition to providing student resources and services, we also create and provide dynamic and engaging programs and events that instill a sense of belonging and Mason pride.

About the Position:

The Associate Director, University Life Mason Square is responsible for overseeing and facilitating University Life initiatives at Mason Square, located in Arlington VA. Serving as the primary University Life contact, the Associate Director addresses student interests and concerns, encompassing student development programs and campus climate. This role maintains ongoing communication with key stakeholders invested in the academic, social, and professional success of regional campus students, collaborating closely with academic units. Additionally, the Associate Director regularly engages with campus stakeholders and partners with the Director to ensure consistency and operational efficiency at Mason Square. The Associate Director provides leadership in several key areas, including the design and execution of programs and events, the development of strategic marketing and communication plans, and the establishment of relationship management systems for University Life Regional Campuses and Plaza Activation initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Provides leadership and development for an integrated strategy for University Life programming at both UL Mason Square and UL SciTech, including campus activation and student engagement activities.

• Designs and executes overall program strategy for UL Mason Square, including learning outcomes for all events and programs;
• Leads, executes, and expands the ongoing seasonal Plaza activation initiative, in partnership with campus units and other campus leadership;
• Collaborates with and assists the UL SciTech team in developing the overall program and activation strategy for UL SciTech, ensuring alignment with efforts at Mason Square;
• Designs and executes assessment strategy to measure learning outcomes and student served data for all UL programs and events at Mason Square. Develops regular reports sharing current and ongoing assessment goals and data; and
• Provides oversight and management of vendor relationships, vendor selection, and vendor contracts/payment.

Establishes and maintains methods and procedures that protect continuity of operations and promotes best practices for University Life Mason Square and the Plaza at Mason Square.

• Develops and maintains effective relationships with all Mason Square offices including campus events, campus operations, academic units, George Mason Police, and others to ensure smooth University Life operations and program delivery;
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with University Life programmatic leaders to ensure collaboration and execution of programs to all students at Mason Square;
• Supervises daily operations of student engagement spaces, ensuring a welcoming and functional environment for all students and visitors;
• Oversees ongoing development and documentation of team standard operating procedures (SOPs); and
• Serves as University Life onsite campus leadership in the absence of the Director.

Provides strategic leadership and effective supervision to University Life Mason Square Activation and Engagement team:

• Directly supervises University Life Programming Coordinator(s) and indirect supervision of student wage staff;
• Executes a team based strategy to minimize single person dependencies for event and program planning and execution;
• Mentors and plans professional development of staff to strengthen functional and student/customer service skills;
• Establishes and monitors team and individual goals to advance the area’s goals and ensures quality service delivery; and
• Evaluates team’s capacity and ensures alignment with unit strategic priorities.

Leads marketing and communication efforts for University Life Mason Square and Plaza Activation Initiative.

• Develops and implements a comprehensive marketing strategy to enhance visibility and engagement with UL Mason Square and Plaza Activation events;
• Leads social media presence by creating and curating content, scheduling posts, and engaging with followers. Teaches and guides coordinators and/or part time wage to assist as appropriate;
• Serves as primary liaison to relevant University Life engagement and outreach units and University Life Marketing and Communications, collaborating with community and campus partners to cross-promote events and initiatives; and
• Leads and executes all print and digital marketing for UL Mason Square programs and events.

Collaborates with the Director of Regional Campuses and the SciTech Program Coordinator in the formulation and implementation of the University Life Mason Square budget.

• In collaboration with the SciTech Program Coordinator, monitors and manages all financial accounts associated with University Life at Mason Square; and
• Assists the Director of University Life for Regional Campuses in evaluating and preparing comprehensive reports on UL Mason Square fiscal activities, both annually and quarterly.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Professional experience typically obtained in 3+ years in higher education;
• Direct experience in student affairs, student engagement, or a closely related field;
• Experience typically obtained in 3+ years supervising professional staff, graduate students, or student employees;
• Direct experience designing, planning, and executing events or cocurricular programs that foster student development and engagement;
• Experience in monitoring and managing budgets, including preparing reports and adhering to financial protocols;
• Experience working with varied stakeholder groups, including faculty, staff, and external community partners;
• Direct experience managing day-to-day operations of a department, center, or facility;
• Knowledge of student services, student development theory, and higher education best practices;
• Knowledge of data collection, analysis, and reporting to evaluate learning outcomes, student needs, and program outcomes, and to inform strategic decision making;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the unique needs and priorities of nontraditional or graduate student populations;
• Proficiency in creating and implementing marketing plans, and effectively utilizing various communication channels;
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and execute multiple simultaneous projects and events effectively;
• Problem solving skills related to programming, operations, and student engagement;
• Ability to respond to changing campus needs and student dynamics with creative approaches to student engagement;
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively with students, staff, and community members in various contexts; and
• Proven ability to manage teams effectively and promote professional development within the team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience typically obtained in 5+ years in higher education leadership positions;
• Extensive experience in progressively responsible roles within student affairs or related fields;
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing programs or initiatives that enhance student engagement at the institutional level;
• Demonstrated experience typically obtained in 3+ years in supervising diverse teams, including professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees;
• Demonstrated experience in team-building, fostering collaboration, and mentoring staff toward professional growth;
• Advanced experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating large-scale events, cocurricular programs, or campus initiatives aligned with institutional goals;
• Experience using assessment data for strategic decision-making and resource allocation;
• Advanced experience in managing complex budgets, including identifying cost-saving opportunities and aligning expenditures with strategic priorities;
• Experience in leveraging analytics to optimize communication strategies and outreach;
• Experience working at a regional or satellite campus, or with nontraditional, graduate, or professional student populations;
• Demonstrated experience in fostering partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and external stakeholders to enhance campus life;
• Knowledge of best practices for designing and assessing learning outcomes tied to student engagement and development;
• Knowledge of strategies for integrating campus activities with the surrounding community to foster broader connections;
• Proficiency in presenting data insights through reports, dashboards, or presentations;
• Ability to develop programs and services that align with evolving student needs, institutional goals, and student development priorities;
• Ability to anticipate trends in higher education and student needs, and integrate them into long-term planning;
• Ability to contribute to or refine policies that enhance student services and campus operations;
• Ability to work across departments to create cohesive initiatives that maximize campus resources; and
• Ability to guide teams and stakeholders through transitions or new initiatives effectively.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Associate Director, University Life Mason Square at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

This position is not eligible for international visa sponsorship. 

Posting Open Date:  March 31, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  April 14, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes