Senior Director, Student Life

Cleveland State University

$90K — $110K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in student affairs, higher education, counseling, or related field.
  • Five years of professional experience in student development or retention, with three years in a supervisory role.
  • Master's degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.
  • Experience specifically in higher education student affairs is a plus.
  • Proficiency in relevant software such as CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic leadership for enhancing student engagement and well-being.
  • Direct and manage student organizations and related events.
  • Train and support staff for a positive campus environment.
  • Oversee budget management for student activities and accounting processes.
  • Collaborate with various departments to promote student success.
  • Conduct crisis management and support initiatives for students.
  • Implement policies and business strategies for operational efficiency.

Benefits

  • Collaborative and supportive working environment.
  • Opportunity for professional growth and development.
  • Access to resources for ongoing education and training.
  • Engagement in events that enhance campus culture.
  • Work-life balance with a typical Monday to Friday schedule.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Details

Business Title
Senior Director, Student Life

Posting Category
Administrative and Professional

Salary Grade
10

Salary Plan
Professional Non Bargaining

Hiring Range /Pay Rate

Department
Student Life

Department Description

Position Location

FTE
1.0

Job Summary

Provides strategic leadership for programs and activities that activate and enhance student engagement and well-being on campus. Directs events, manages, trains, and supports student organizations, and collaborates with staff to foster a positive campus environment. Responsible for the management of all student organizations' engagement, the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, budgetary functions, and accounting for student stipends, where appropriate. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree, preferably in student affairs, higher education, counseling, educational leadership, or related field.
  • Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in student development or retention, with at least three (3) years of supervisory experience.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree, preferably in student affairs, higher education, counseling, educational leadership, or related field
  • Experience in higher education student affairs.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
  • Knowledge of administrative, supervisory, and budget management.
  • Knowledge of applicable regulatory and compliance areas.
  • Crisis management skills.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to relate to people from all backgrounds and at all levels of an organization.
  • A team player who operates with transparency and fosters trust and collaboration within the organization.
  • Skilled in project management, problem-solving, analysis, follow-through, influence, and persuasion.
  • Ability to assess, prioritize, and teach the Fostering Success Coaching Model in partnership with students.
  • Strong organizational and excellent interpersonal skills and have a "Student Focus" attitude and delivery and leadership skills, using a team-based approach.
  • Ability to make effective presentations, have strong public speaking skills, develop and drive change, and effectively communicate change.
  • A genuine interest in empowering students and the ability to connect with students.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the proven ability to establish rapport and credibility with a wide range of constituencies.
  • Ability to examine and re-engineer operations, formulating policy and implementing new successful business strategies.
  • Proficient in student organization CRM, Workday, Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.


Requisition Number
PT0703936S

Date grant, position, or appointment expires (For Funds Available, Temporary, and Waiver of Posting

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicant Instructions

Offer of employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of the University's verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or University policies or practices, including but not limited to a criminal background check.

Applications will be exclusively accepted online at http://www.csuohio.edu/offices/hrd/employment.html. Mailed or emailed application materials will not be accepted.

Hours per week
40

Work Schedule

Typically, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Advertising Copy

Full Time/Part Time
Full Time

Posted Date
09/01/2026

Close Date/Application Deadline

Open Until Filled
Yes

Review Begins
09/09/2026

Tentative Start Date

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