Assistant Director of Student Engagement & Leadership

Job description

JOB TITLE: Assistant Director of Student Engagement & Leadership

JOB POSTED: December 2025

DEPARTMENT: Student Affairs

REPORTED TO: Associate Director of Student Affairs

SCHEDULE: FT, Exempt, Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm EST

COMPENSATION: $72,523 annual

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Student Affairs, the Assistant Director of

Student Engagement and Leadership will facilitate a comprehensive program that promotes

student leadership, engagement, and development. Other duties include leading and supporting student organizations, campus traditions, and leadership development programs, including VASA Officers (Student Government, student clubs and organizations, community outreach, and other student-led initiatives. Provide support to Student Affairs events, programs, and activities, including support for Orientation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise, train, and evaluate the Coordinator of Student Engagement and Leadership.

• Oversee daily operations of the Visual Arts Student Association (VASA), Student Senators, and Student Clubs. Provide support to the advising of the Radio Station (WSVA) and the Visual Opinion, the student publication.

• Oversee the daily operation of the Student Center, including space reservations, student managers, and 15+ student staff.

• Oversee the operations of the Student Engagement and Leadership office.

• Co-supervise Student Affairs Student Assistant, Student Worker for Student Engagement and Leadership.

• Oversee selection, training, and supervision of VASA staff and other Student Engagement and Leadership student workers.

• Hire, train, supervise, and recommend student workers/leaders, including Orientation Leaders, and Student Ambassadors for SVA events as needed.

• Manage the student government election process and all related elements, including updating materials, hosting elections information sessions, hosting candidate events, and managing the student voting process.

• Senior Event Planner for Fall and Spring Orientation and other SVA events, including participation in Open Houses, Accepted Students Day, etc.

• Support Orientation events, including participation in move-in weekends, evening and daytime Orientation events, and administration of student worker assignment schedules.

• Participate in event chaperoning and staffing as needed, including some night and weekend commitments (Student Engagement and Leadership, SVA Open House, SVA Accepted Students Day, VASA events, Orientation)

• Facilitate and liaise with departments to plan campus-wide events, programs, and activities that focus on academic/social development, as well as community involvement.

• Plan an annual calendar of all SEAL events, initiatives, and recruitment processes.

• Promote all events and programming hosted by Student Affairs, Student Engagement, and Leadership, including administration of My Emma email system and maintenance of the Student Activities Calendar on the SVA website.​​

• Communicate student leader policies and requirements, managing compliance of institutional policies related to event planning.

• Communicate student leader lists to applicable offices, including access memos to SVA Security.

• Maintain and submit/approve student staff timesheets for VASA, WSVA, and the Student Center.

• Maintain multiple operational and salary budgets, including Student Engagement and Leadership, VASA, WSVA, and Orientation.

• Maintain and update information related to Student Engagement and Leadership on the SVA website and SVA Handbook.

• Manage compliance and scheduling of student leader required trainings (Title IX and other essential policies)

• Responsible for onboarding of all new student leaders.

• Perform other job-related duties or special projects, as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise student workers
• Supervise the Coordinator of Student Engagement and Leadership
• May assist in training temps

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree is required in higher education
• Three (3) or more years of event planning and student life experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION:

• College administrative/advisement background
• Student supervisory and development experience, including interest in student leadership development.
• Experience and/or interest in working with art students.
• Computer skill proficiency in MS Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of advising and program planning that aim in providing students with enriched mentorship and development opportunities.
• Skill in verbal, written and interpersonal communications to effectively engage with students, faculty, and staff.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Skill in problem solving and multitasking
• Skill in learning new computer technology and web management.
• Skill with public speaking and preparing presentation materials
• Ability in meeting time-sensitive deadlines while leading multiple, concurrent projects with minimal supervision is required.
• Ability to engage and support students in a graduate setting
• Ability in understanding and being aware of diverse student populations and cultural competencies.
• Ability to provide clear and empathetic guidance tailored to individual student needs.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism.
• Ability to work independently, proactively, and collaboratively within a fast-paced and agile team environment.
• Ability to promote student success and support institutional goals.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other employees, students and stakeholders.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OR WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Schedule: Full time schedule (35 hrs per week), Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm EST. Exempt (salaried) position. The position will work 4 days on site and 1 day remote.
• Location: 340 East 24th Street, 24th Street Residence, First Floor, NY NY 10010
• May be required to work additional hours outside of the regular work schedule - . flexible evening and weekend hours as needed
• While working remotely, you will be required to maintain the same hours of work as would be performed in the office; follow the department’s procedures in completing assigned job tasks; and be available during the employee’s working hours via the department’s established communication methods (i.e,. Google chat, Slack, phone, etc.)
• Ability to work in an office environment, with computer and office equipment.
• Ability to bend, lift, walk, carry, or use a force equal to lifting up to twenty (20) pounds.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To be considered for this position, candidates must submit the following:

• Cover Letter - Describe your interest in the position and how your qualifications meet the stated requirements.
• Resume or CV - Include relevant experience and key responsibilities.

WORKING AT SVA

The School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for more than seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprising over 7,000 students at its Manhattan campus and over 41,000 alumni from 128 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For more information about the College’s 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Click here to learn what it’s like to work at SVA.

The School of Visual Arts is an equal-opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion is a core principles of the College. SVA enjoys a community that represents a significant number of historically underrepresented communities, ethnic and religious backgrounds, gender identities, diverse abilities, and foreign countries, and all are encouraged to apply.