Executive Director for Leadership & Student Engagement

The Executive Director for Student Engagement provides strategic leadership for the Center for Student Engagement, including Student Activities and Campus Life, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Organizations, Leadership Programs, and the Roaden University Center. Serving as the institution’s primary engagement strategist, this role advances a cohesive vision for student engagement through innovative programming, elevated signature traditions, and strong campus and community partnerships.

By aligning student engagement efforts across academic, co‑curricular, and institutional partners, the Executive Director ensures involvement experiences support student success, retention, sense of belonging, and effectively showcase Tennessee Tech’s vibrant campus life to both current and prospective students.

Tennessee Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

• Provide executive leadership for the Center for Student Engagement, including Student Activities and Campus Life, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Organizations, Leadership Programs, and the Roaden University Center.
• Serve as the university’s primary engagement strategist, developing and implementing a cohesive, institution‑wide strategy for student engagement that advances student success, retention, sense of belonging, and institutional pride.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and continuous elevation of signature programs and traditions, including Week of Welcome (in partnership with New Student and Family Programs), College Town Kickoff, Homecoming, and SOLO events and concerts.
• Identify, design, and launch new engagement strategies, programs, and events that enhance the student experience and respond to evolving student needs and interests.
• Partner with Enrollment Management to align engagement initiatives with recruitment strategies and effectively showcase Tennessee Tech’s vibrant campus life to prospective students.
• Build and sustain campus and community partnerships that expand leadership development, involvement, service, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Use assessment, participation data, and student feedback to guide decision‑making, demonstrate impact, and ensure continuous improvement across the engagement portfolio.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor professional and support staff, fostering a collaborative, high‑performing, and student‑centered culture.
• Oversee budgets, resources, and facilities to ensure effective operations, fiscal responsibility, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, risk management standards, and applicable regulations, including developing, revising, and updating policies and guidance as needed.

Typical hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Some evenings and weekends required.

Applicants will be required to electronically upload a cover letter, resume, copy of transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire), and contact information for three references. References will be contacted at a later date. Submission of materials is the applicant's responsibility. Applications without all required materials are incomplete and will not be considered.

Salary:

Commensurate with education and experience. Level M3, Grade 14.

Benefits Information:

The University offers a competitive benefits package. Benefits include the accumulation of two vacation days per month, one sick leave day per month, and thirteen University holidays. Other benefits include medical and life insurance (shared cost with the university), retirement, optional 401k, and educational benefits.

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in higher education administration, student affairs, counseling, leadership, or a related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education student engagement, student activities, campus life, leadership programs, fraternity and sorority life, or related functional areas.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi‑unit portfolios and institution‑level initiatives.
• Experience leading or overseeing large‑scale, high‑visibility campus traditions, programs, or events.
• Experience cultivating collaborative partnerships within Student Affairs, across academic and administrative divisions, and with local and community stakeholders.
• Experience supervising, developing, and evaluating professional staff.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and strategic leadership skills.

• Earned doctorate from an accredited institution in higher education, student affairs, or a related discipline.
• Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in student engagement, student activities, campus life, leadership programs, fraternity and sorority life, or related functional areas.
• Senior‑level leadership experience overseeing a comprehensive student engagement or campus life portfolio.
• Experience overseeing or collaborating on student union, student center, or major campus facility operations.
• Strong background in assessment, data‑informed decision‑making, and continuous improvement.