University of Utah

Associate Vice President

University of Utah$170K — $187K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in higher education, student affairs administration, or related field required; doctorate preferred.
  • 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, including staff supervision and program leadership.
  • Proven success in developing and assessing student engagement initiatives that enhance retention and community.
  • Experience mentoring professional staff and a commitment to inclusive leadership practices.
  • Ability to analyze data for strategic planning and program development.
  • Excellent collaboration and partnership-building skills across diverse organizations.
  • Strong communication and facilitation skills for representation at university governance.

Responsibilities

  • Provide leadership and strategic oversight for key student engagement units and initiatives.
  • Recruit, supervise, and evaluate director-level staff to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
  • Develop and implement a data-informed student engagement strategy promoting connection and success.
  • Oversee fiscal management of engagement units, ensuring responsible resource stewardship.
  • Build scalable models of engagement to serve an increasingly residential student population.
  • Establish systems for collecting and analyzing engagement data to inform strategic planning.
  • Partner with stakeholders to enhance collaborative approaches to student engagement.

Benefits

  • Participation in Utah Retirement Systems (URS) for eligible new hires with prior service.
  • Opportunity for professional development and mentorship.
  • Engagement with a vibrant campus community of over 38,000 students.
  • Access to a collaborative work environment with experienced colleagues.
  • Involvement in a strategic plan that adapts to evolving student needs.
Full Job Description
Announcement

Details

Open Date
07/15/2026

Requisition Number
PRN45659B

Job Title
Associate Vice President

Working Title
Asc Vice President for Student Engagement

Career Progression Track
EXE

Track Level

FLSA Code
Executive

Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No

Standard Hours per Week
40

Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time

Shift
Day

Work Schedule Summary

Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; occasional weeknights and weekends

VP Area
President

Department
00298 - Student Development/Research

Location
Campus

City
Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment
External Posting

Pay Rate Range
$170,000 - $187,000

Close Date
10/14/2026

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Job Summary

The University of Utah is seeking a student-centered, dedicated, experienced, innovative, and collaborative individual to serve as the Associate Vice President for Student Engagement. This newly aligned position supports student wellbeing and success by strategically advancing student engagement units, priorities, and outcomes.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs, this position serves as a key member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team as they support 20+ departments within the division of student affairs. Departments and centers currently within this position's portfolio include: The Associated Students of the University of Utah, Bennion Center for Community Engagement, Center for Community and Cultural Engagement, Dream Center, Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, Student Leadership and Involvement, and the A. Ray Olpin Union. Other departments that work closely with this leader include Fraternity & Sorority Life, Campus Recreation Services, Office of Residence Life, and the Student Experience Office.

Through adapting to evolving student needs and fostering transformative engagement experiences, this role directly contributes to division-wide goals of increasing student satisfaction, retention, and graduation among the university's 38,000+ students. At a time of growth, innovation, and opportunity, this is an exciting moment to join the University of Utah and make a lasting impact on the student experience.

Responsibilities
  • Provide leadership and strategic oversight for a portfolio that currently includes Student Governance & Leadership, Bennion Center for Community Engagement, Center for Community & Cultural Engagement, Dream Center, Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, Student Leadership & Involvement, and the A. Ray Olpin Student Union.
  • Recruit, supervise, and evaluate director-level staff, ensuring alignment of unit goals with divisional and institutional priorities while fostering professional growth and accountability.
  • Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive, data-informed student engagement strategy that promotes connection, belonging, leadership, and overall student success throughout the university experience.
  • Oversee fiscal management of student engagement units, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, development of increased revenue streams, and alignment of budgets with strategic priorities.
  • Build scalable models of student engagement to effectively serve an expanding and increasingly residential student population, ensuring resourcing, access, and sustainability in programs, facilities, and services.
  • Establish systems to collect, analyze, and interpret engagement data, leveraging technology to inform strategic planning, enhance assessment practices, and monitor trends in participation.
  • Partner with key campus and community stakeholders (e.g., Student Experience Office, Ute and Tribal Nations, Utah Pride Center, Office of General Counsel, Public Safety, Athletics, Residence Life, and University Marketing and Communications) to advance holistic and collaborative approaches to student engagement.
  • Track progress on divisional initiatives and institutional priorities, including advancing the Adapting to Student Needs Strategic Plan.
  • Represent the Division of Student Affairs at high-level meetings and committees, including university-wide working groups.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Master's degree in higher education, student affairs administration, counseling, public administration, or a related field required; doctorate preferred.
  • Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, including direct staff supervision and program leadership.
  • Demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and assessing student engagement initiatives that enhance belonging, retention, and student success.
  • Experience supervising and mentoring professional staff, with a commitment to supporting staff development, accountability, and inclusive leadership practices.
  • Proven ability to analyze and apply data to strategic planning, program development, and assessment.
  • Excellent collaboration skills, with experience building partnerships across academic, administrative, and student organizations.
  • Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to represent student affairs at high levels of university governance and with community partners, donors, and government officials.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively serve students from a variety of backgrounds, enhancing a sense of belonging and community across the student body.


Preferences

Type
Benefited Staff

Special Instructions Summary

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

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