Student Life - Assistant Director of Student Programming & Engagement

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

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To apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a completed application and résumé through the University's online application system. Applications submitted outside of the official Careers at SHU website will not be considered. Applicants should not apply through third-party or external job sites, as such postings may be fraudulent or may misrepresent opportunities that are no longer available at the University. A cover letter or statement of interest is preferred for all staff positions. 

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

The Office of Student Involvement & First Year Programs strives to engage students in opportunities across campus that encourage growth and a connection with others. Committed to providing a positive and inclusive environment that is responsive to the needs of students, the office provides intentional spaces for students to develop as leaders and individuals in true Pioneer character, heart and spirit. With the overall goal to increase student retention, the Office of Student Involvement & First Year Programs will coordinate comprehensive year-long programs designed to provide leadership opportunities as well as the transitional programs that will enhance the student’s college experience. The Assistant Director of Student Programming & Engagement will need to partner and collaborate with a variety of departments on campus to coordinate events as well as engage students in leadership and learning.

The Assistant Director of Student Programming and Engagement works to improve the SHU experience through student development and education outside of the classroom. The Assistant Director is responsible for the coordination and implementation of campus-wide programming for the undergraduate student population. This position is responsible for the development of leadership programming that contributes to the growth of SHU students outside of the classroom.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and assess engaging, innovative, and inclusive monthly campus events, programs, and initiatives that enhance student engagement, belonging, and campus life for undergraduate students. 
• Serve as the primary resource for student clubs and organizations by overseeing organization recognition and registration, policy compliance, event planning support, purchasing, officer transitions, and faculty/staff advisor development. 
• Manage the University's student engagement platform, SHU Engage, including organization administration, event approvals, communications, training, reporting, and data management. 
• Coordinate student organization operations, including annual roster management, organization communications, monthly Council of Clubs & Organizations (CCO) meetings, leadership development opportunities, and new organization onboarding. 
• Advise the Council of Clubs & Organizations (CCO) and assigned Student Government Class Board(s), providing leadership development, organizational guidance, and support for student-led initiatives. 
• Support coordination of campus traditions and signature programs, including Carnival, Spring Fest, concerts, Involvement Fairs and Campus Life Leadership Awards and other university-wide engagement initiatives.
• Assist in supporting office initiative of New Student Orientations, Welcome Weekend, First 50 Days and Family Weekend programming.
• Develop and facilitate leadership training, educational workshops, and resources that support student organization officers, advisors, and emerging student leaders. 
• Partner in the development and implementation of the Pioneers Together Initiative, using SHU Engage data and participation trends to identify uninvolved and unconnected students and coordinate outreach strategies that foster engagement, belonging, and student success.
• Coordinate University Move-In volunteers including the recruitment, scheduling and day-of operations.

Operations 

• Responsible for event logistics including set up, marketing and staffing.
• Assess programs and initiatives through participation data, student feedback, and learning outcomes to inform continuous improvement and enhance the student experience.
• Assist with recruitment activities including Open Houses, Admitted Student Days, and Divisional meetings.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

• Master’s Degree preferred
• Minimum of (2) years experience within student affairs, including graduate work. 
• Experience with large-scale event planning and execution. 
• Strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of student development theory, leadership, and inclusive programming.

Unusual Working Conditions

The position requires evening and weekend hours, as well as occasional holiday work as determined by the supervisor.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.