The Executive Director of Campus Life must possess a passion for the development of college students, exhibited in the day-to-day operations of the office and the varied work schedule, including nights and weekends. The Executive Director provides guidance and support to student leaders in their governance and advocacy efforts. They support fraternity and sorority life student leaders in developing a strong, values-driven fraternity and sorority life community that prioritizes inclusivity, student development, responsibility, leadership, and social engagement. Additionally, the Executive Director supports student organization leaders in delivering strong, engaging campus-wide programs and traditions that enrich the student experience and foster a vibrant campus community. They should possess knowledge and experience in developing policies related to student organizations, ensuring alignment with university standards and enhancing the effectiveness of these groups. The Executive Director must be energetic, creative, forward-thinking, a problem-solver, and committed to the connection, engagement, and development of student leaders.
The Executive Director is responsible for setting a clear vision for the Campus Life team, fostering professional growth, and supporting the morale of the department. By developing and supporting their staff, the Executive Director ensures a cohesive, motivated, and highly skilled team dedicated to enhancing the student experience at Northwestern. Excellent supervision, fiscal management, communication, advising, and interpersonal skills, along with a commitment to outstanding student service, a desire to mentor, and teamwork, are essential.
Relationship building across campus and engagement with various stakeholder groups are key responsibilities for the Executive Director. Representing Campus Life on both the Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT) and the Operations and Services Leadership Team, the Executive Director will have a major impact on the enhancement and coordination of student life, building a sense of community through meaningful university-wide events and increasing student-learning experiences outside the classroom. The Executive Director participates in and leads various committees, advocating for the needs of students. To accomplish these responsibilities, the Executive Director needs exceptional interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, along with strong collaboration and networking abilities to engage effectively with various stakeholder groups and foster a cohesive and vibrant university community.
Please note: Some evening and weekend hours will be required.
Pay: The salary range for this Executive Director position is $125,000 to 140,000 annually, depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.
Principal Accountabilities:
- (15%) Provide leadership, oversight, policy development, and strategic planning for a comprehensive co-curricular experience for Campus Life units: Fraternity & Sorority Life and Student Organizations & Activities. Align, update, and implement the department's strategic vision and champion the work within Campus Life, sharing its narratives and successes across stakeholder groups to build support and recognition for the department's contributions to student development and engagement.
- (15%) Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, training, development, supervision, and support for nine professional staff (two direct reports – two directors), graduate assistants, and student employees/interns ensuring a supportive and growth-oriented high-performing team.
- (10%) Establish and maintain effective collaborative relationships with student government, student leaders, student organization advisors, student affairs, academic affairs, facilities management, risk management, general counsel, university police, and other campus and community partners.
- (10%) Champion the co-curricular experience through establishing and maintaining policies, support services and programs for 400+ registered student clubs and organizations, 30+ values-based chapters and four fraternity and sorority governing councils that complements and supplements the mission of the university and focuses on student learning maximizing opportunities for student engagement.
- (10%) Provide support, in partnership with the Director of SOA, to the Associated Student Government (ASG), offering strategic guidance and support to student leaders in their governance and advocacy efforts. Foster a collaborative relationship with ASG to enhance student representation, drive meaningful initiatives, and ensure alignment with campus priorities and objectives.
- (10%) Provide leadership and support for major campus programming and signature events such as: NU Nights, Dance Marathon, Greek Build, Dillo Day, AO Concerts, Museum Partnerships, Winter Carnival, and the SOA Passport program. Liaison with other campus departments on large scale campus wide programs including Wildcat Welcome, Homecoming/Reunion Weekend, Graduation Weekend, etc.
- (10%) In partnership with the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, oversee the collaborative work with Greek letter/fraternal national organizations, housing corporations, chapter governing bodies, university departments, staff and resources to ensure the safe operation of individual chapters.
- (10%) Assure compliance of assigned fiscal operations and performance contracts consistent with departmental and university policies and procedures. Review, negotiate and approve performance and service-related contracts.
- (10%) Build and maintain relationships across campus and engage with various stakeholder groups to enhance and coordinate student life. Represent Campus Life on the Student Affairs Leadership Team (SALT) and the Operations and Services Leadership Team, and serve on/lead several university wide committees.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Eight to ten years of experience in student activities, leadership development, fraternity/sorority life, college union or related area with senior management or progressive levels of responsibilities.
- Master's degree required. Preferred areas of specialization include: Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel Administration, Counseling or other related fields.
- Significant experience as an innovative leader managing personnel, budgeting and finance, assessing programs and services, professional development, and success in creating environments that enhance students’ academic and personal learning and success through co-curricular involvement.
- Possess knowledge and experience in developing policies related to student organizations, ensuring alignment with university standards and enhancing the effectiveness of these groups.
- Demonstrated experience in program development, including learning/program outcomes and contract negotiations with outside vendors, speakers, and programming groups.
- Experience with student organization advising, training, travel, and financial management.
- Experience supervising senior professional staff.
- Experience with national or local Greek letter organizations and a deep understanding of supporting the fraternity and sorority systems, including their unique needs, as well as risk management and harm reduction practices and policies within the profession.
Minimum Competencies:
- Demonstrated record of building teams and partnerships with colleagues and key stakeholder groups to accomplish goals;
- Experience designing programs for and with diverse student and employee populations;
- Strong communication and interpersonal competencies that demonstrate intelligence and integrity; and a commitment to exemplary customer service and sustainability.
- Demonstrated ability to function effectively in high-paced work environments.
- Proven competence in managing multiple tasks and competing priorities.
- Budget and fiscal management;
- Outstanding written, public speaking and interpersonal communications skills;
- Collaborative and diplomatic relationship style; promotes respect and practice of civility in the workplace;
- Proven experience working collaboratively and effectively with individuals from a variety of cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds;
- Commitment to inclusion, diversity and social justice;
- Effective supervision of professional staff.
Preferred Qualifications:
- PhD, EdD, or other terminal degree in higher education, business, student affairs administration, or other related field.
- Certifications in leadership and/or harm reduction initiatives (e.g. ASTP, Strengths, Mental Health First-Aid, etc.)
- Understanding of educational environments at highly selective institutions like Northwestern.
- Ability to function effectively in a decentralized, research-intensive University environment.
Preferred Competencies:
- Previous experience leading and implementing a strategic vision for a department.
- Skills in counseling, crisis management, conflict resolution.
Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more!
Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare, and senior/adult care.
Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
