Assistant Director of Engagement and Programs

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant contributions to Howard University's overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth. Here is what we offer:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Assistant Director of Engagement and Programs plays a strategic role within Residence Life, leading programs and initiatives to enhance student engagement, leadership development, and residential community building. This position will oversee key events like Res Fest, supervise the Engagement & Programs Coordinator, develop curricular programming, and manage student learning outcomes linked to residence life. The incumbent typically works with a high degree of independence and uses initiative to conduct regular assignments following established institutional policies and procedures. This position reports to the Director of Residence Life and University Housing within the Student Affairs Division.

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:

This position supervises professional and student staff, including a coordinator, graduate resident assistants and undergraduate students. This position may have some supervisory responsibility for contracted workers or vendors, as assigned or delegated.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Internal contacts generally include administrators, faculty, students, and staff. External contacts include vendors, consultants, visitors, and the general public.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Program Leadership & Community Development

Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of high-impact residential engagement programs (e.g., Res Fest).

Oversee the Engagement & Programs Coordinator who assists with planning and execution.

Collaborate with campus partners and student organizations to foster inclusive, connected residential communities

Serve as a primary liaison to student governance groups (e.g., Hall Council, RHA), providing leadership training and support

2. Curriculum & Learning Outcomes

Develop and implement a residential curriculum aligned with student learning and community development objectives .

Assess program impact regularly, adjusting strategies based on data and student feedback

3. Supervision & Staff Development

Supervise the Engagement & Programs Coordinator and indirectly support graduate assistants and student leaders

Develop and deliver staff training programs for professional and student staff focused on engagement, programming, crisis response, and community building.

4. Student Conduct & Crisis Support

Respond to residential student issues, including conduct matters, behavioral interventions, and crisis situations; serve on after‑hours on‑call rotation

Facilitate restorative practices and student behavior meetings, collaborating with professional staff and campus partners

5. Operations & Administrative Oversight

Assist with staffing processes — recruitment, selection, and performance evaluations.

Manage program budgets, track expenditures, and ensure policy compliance

Support occupancy management and residential logistics during key transitions (move‑ins, breaks)

6. Strategic & Collaborative Leadership

Contribute to departmental strategic planning, committee work, and cross-campus partnerships in academic affairs, counseling services, and student engagement .

Represent Residence Life at university events, including orientations and open houses.

Refer students to the correct Howard University offices, including but not limited to Counseling Services, Department Chairs, Bursar, and Financial Aid.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Compassionate and able to relate to different students with various needs

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to explain extreme situations appropriately and in compliance with university expectations and policy.

• Critical thinking and problem solving to determine the course of action for each student after assessing student concerns

• Flexibility to change plans if the student is not getting appropriate results

• Organization skills to manage several different cases at once

• Experience working in confidential and sensitive settings and circumstances

• Knowledge of state, jurisdictional, and federal laws, policies, and regulations associated residential living

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, College Student Personnel, Counseling, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• At least 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in residence life and/or student engagement programs

• Demonstrated supervisory experience (professional and student staff

• Knowledge of student development theory, crisis management, and code of conduct enforcement

• Excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to Live-in residence, with evening and weekend availability. This role participates in an on-call rotation.

• Ability to handle moderate physical activity, lift at least 25lbs, and the ability to fulfill crisis management and emergency response responsibilities.

• Flexibility to work within changing priorities and crisis situations.

• Attention to detail, meets deadlines

• Strong interpersonal skills to work with students in crisis

• Sound judgment, problem analysis, problem solving, and decision-making skills

• Initiative, confidentiality, team member, and adaptability

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience leading large-scale engagement events (e.g., festivals, leadership retreats). Track record in curriculum development and program assessment for residential populations. Proficiency with housing management software and other electronic records software, specifically: StarRez, Workday, Maxient, etc. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in programming and staff development.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Pay Range: $70,000 - $75,000
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