Assistant Director of Student Activities

General Summary

The Assistant Director for the Office of Student Activities, reporting to the Associate Director of Student Activities, will assist with the development, implementation, and assessment of programs, services, and initiatives that enhance student learning and the overall student experience, creating a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students on a 24/7 campus. The position provides leadership for the University's Game Room as a central student engagement space, overseeing its daily operations, student staff, and programming while creating opportunities that build community and enhance the student experience. Additionally, the Assistant Director oversees the Student Activities and Events Council (SAEC) Program Board, including supervision of student employees and management of the programming budget, and coordinates many of the office's signature campus traditions and large-scale events, including Welcome Week, the Beacon Awards, Beacons @ Night, and Senior Programming. Working collaboratively with campus partners, the Program Coordinator develops innovative programs and services that connect students to the university, foster a sense of belonging, and support student success both inside and outside the classroom.

Examples of Duties

Student Success Services & Programming

• Develop and implement innovative events and activities (both on and off campus) that enhance retention, graduation rates, student engagement, and the overall student experience
• Coordinate and implement large-scale, campus-wide events such as (but not limited to) Welcome Week, Involvement Fairs, Senior Events, “Rec the Halls”, Beacon Block Party, and Spring Week that are inclusive, diverse, and align with the University’s mission of engaging students holistically
• Recruit student organizations to assist in creating a student involvement presence at the new and transfer student Orientation programs, Open Houses, and Welcome Days
• Collaborate with campus offices, student organizations, and off-campus vendors to develop a strategy to provide programs and opportunities to increase students' engagement, spirit, and pride
• Support Academic Affairs initiatives in the areas of student support and campus-wide events and co-curricular learning (but not limited to) learning community activities and academic support offerings
• Directly Oversee the Beacons @ Night programming series to support both residential and off-campus student engagement
• Coordinate with Community Directors and Resident Assistants to provide programming opportunities in the Residence Hall
• Collaborate with partners in Athletics and Recreation to promote student attendance at athletic and recreation events to enhance the student engagement experience
• Assist with the planning, promotion, and execution of senior class events and the senior class gift in conjunction with the University Advancement/Alumni staff
• Provide support for first-generation student programming initiatives
• Oversee and implement the annual Office of Student Activities Awards Ceremony including (but not limited to) managing award nomination process, ordering food/awards from vendors and working on event logistics with the Campus Center Services Office
• Facilitate in the ordering/purchasing of performers, services, tickets, supplies, printing, etc. including the use of contracts, bids, purchase orders, and procurement cards as necessary
• Negotiate contracts with off campus vendors for the Office of Student Activities and student organizations events.

Management and Leadership

• Recruit, hire, train, and directly supervise 3-4 student employees, who work to plan on-campus events
• Utilize best practices in campus programming to recruit, train, and supervise a diverse group of paid and volunteer program board members, consisting of approximately 25 students
• Serve as the advisor for the Student Activities and Events Council Programming Board, which is responsible for campus-wide programming
• Develop and maintain a detailed assessment plan for (but not limited to) the Student Arts and Events Council’s events, Welcome Week, all Large Scale Events, and the Student Leadership Awards
• Create opportunities between academic programs and student organizations where academic and social interests may create partnerships and extensions of classroom experience
• Work with collaboration with the Associate Director and Director to oversee the Student Arts and Events Council Programming Board’s annual budget allocation of $500,000.00
• Maintain involvement within the National Student Activities Organization and attend the regional/national conference with students
• Continue to promote and seek out avenues to support students' attendance at regional and national conferences and other professional development opportunities
• Coordinate and manage the fall and spring student organization/student participation in the student involvement fairs, Welcome Days, and Open Houses
• Assist with appropriate electronic personnel action documents including applications, job descriptions, timesheets, promotion/demotion actions, and resignation/termination forms
• Oversee the daily operations of the University's Game Room (The Wave), ensuring a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging environment that supports student success and fosters a sense of belonging.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and schedule a diverse team of 8-10 student employees, providing ongoing coaching, professional development, and performance management.
• Manage student employee scheduling and operational systems, including maintaining staff schedules through the web-based scheduling application, utilizing Atrium for student access, coordinating shift coverage, and ensuring accurate payroll practices through fiscally responsible staffing decisions.
• Develop, implement, and assess programs, tournaments, and engagement initiatives within The Wave that promote community, belonging, and student involvement.
• Collaborate with student organizations, campus departments, and university partners to support events, reservations, and special programs hosted within the Game Room.
• Manage the Game Room operating budget, including the purchase, replacement, maintenance, and repair of equipment, furnishings, and other inventory while ensuring responsible stewardship of university resources.
• Monitor the condition, functionality, and safety of Game Room equipment and facilities, coordinating repairs and recommending enhancements that improve the student experience.
• Assist the Associate Director with the development and implementation of a structured student employee development and evaluation program that provides training, coaching, regular performance feedback, and professional development opportunities to support student learning and success.
• Serves as the liaison between the Office of Student Activities and on campus offices and departments such as but not limited to the offices of Housing and Residence Life, Student Leadership and Community Engagement, and Athletics so that the program effort of all offices can be coordinated
• Participate and engage in campus life events in the evenings and on weekends as needed

General Student Activities Support

• Assist with and support the broader campus utilization of UMBeInvolved, the student organization portal
• Create outreach and marketing materials, both in print and online, to promote knowledge and participation in student organizations, events, the Office of Student Activities, and other engagement opportunities on campus
• Assist with data collection to develop the end-of-year reports, program evaluations, and overall assessment efforts of the office and game room.
• Utilizing social-media platforms and the student organizational portal to achieve an engaged and retain university students and community
• Represent the department at campus-wide events (but not limited to) Family weekend, New Student Orientation, Spring Family Day, Open House, Welcome Day, and Commencement
• Serve on and assist the Campus Program Committee overseen by the Assistant Director of Student Activities
• Serve on relevant divisional and university wide committees, task forces, and projects as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned and are required to adapt to the evolution of the student population

Qualifications

A Master’s Degree in higher education, college student personnel or a closely related field preferred and a minimum of 3-5 years experience working with co-curricular programming, student program boards, late night and campus programming, or a closely related field, preferably in a higher education setting are required. The incumbent will be required to work evening and weekend hours, as well as maintain a flexible schedule, as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience working with Program Boards, creating campus-wide programming, and working with student organizations and student organization advisors on a college campus is highly preferred. Involvement with the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) is highly preferred.
• Experience working with Ready Education (Campus Groups) platform or other student organization software platforms highly preferred.
• Knowledge of student development theory and student engagement/ activities practices preferred.
• Active involvement in state and/or national professional organizations and other forms of professional development in the field of higher education and student affairs preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and familiarity with other standard software programs and databases;
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of best practices in the Student Activities, Student Engagement & Belonging field
• Knowledge of and evidence of sustained collaborative relationships and/or partnerships with other campus offices and programs and with community agencies and organizations resulting in measurable outcomes and tangible deliverables;
• Knowledge of and experience in long-term strategic planning, assessment and program evaluation;
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of FERPA, Title IX and other student legal issues;
• Ability to work successfully with at-risk, culturally diverse student populations and a steadfast commitment to the success of students;
• Ability to work on complex and confidential issues utilizing independent judgment, tact and resourcefulness;
• Ability to supervise and train others;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills;
• Strong organizational and problem solving skills;
• Strong commitment to customer service.

Application Instructions

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link:
Grade: 32
Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.

Applications close: 08 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time

Working at University of Massachusetts Boston

The University of Massachusetts Boston is nationally recognized as a model of excellence for urban public universities. The scenic waterfront campus is located next to the John F. Kennedy Library, with easy access to downtown Boston.

The second-largest campus in the UMass system, UMass Boston combines a small-college experience with the vast resources of a major research university. With a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students easily interact with professors because most teaching occurs in small class sizes. Ninety-three percent of full-time faculty hold the highest degree in their fields.

UMass Boston’s academic excellence is reflected by a growing student body of nearly 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university’s eight colleges offer more than 100 undergraduate programs and 50 graduate programs. The University Honors Program serves 300 students who thrive on intellectual challenge. Enriched courses probe more deeply into theory or venture further into application.

UMass Boston’s diverse student body provides a global context for student learning, and its location in a major U.S. city provides connections to employers in industries such as finance, health care, technology, service, and education, offering students opportunities to gain valuable in-school experience via internships, clinicals, and other career-related placements.

More than 100 student organizations — including clubs, literary magazines, newspaper, radio station, art gallery, and 16 NCAA Division III sports teams — offer a rich campus life. Students live throughout Greater Boston and in apartment communities just steps from the campus, and enjoy the rich amenities, cultural attractions, and educational opportunities that make the city the biggest and best college town in the nation.