Assistant Director, Student Engagement, Events & Experiences

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice.

At Pacific University, we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove and Hillsboro. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, and acquire and share knowledge.

Enrollment Management & Student Affairs at Pacific University is dedicated to fostering student development in support of a more just, sustainable, and caring world. Guided by our core values-equity and inclusion, care, community, and learning-we center holistic student wellbeing, cultivate a sense of belonging, and champion equitable practices. As part of this area, the Student Engagement & Inclusion is committed to continuous growth, collaboration, and innovation in service of our students and campus community.

Application Deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply by Sunday, May 3 for priority consideration. The position will remain open until filled. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2026.

Salary Range: $48,000-55,000

Reports to: Director, Student Engagement & Inclusion

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Assistant Director of Student Engagement, Events & Experiences provides leadership for signature campus programs, traditions, and experiential opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. This position oversees major campus events, orientation programs, equipment rental services, and transfer student engagement initiatives. The Assistant Director ensures students have access to meaningful experiences, supports collaboration across departments and community partners, and delivers high-quality, engaging programs that enhance student life and foster a connected campus community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS- MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Signature Events & Traditions

• Plan, coordinate and oversee signature departmental events, including orientations, annual traditions, and other major campus engagement initiatives.

• Lead logistics, budgeting, vendor coordination, and execution of events and experiential programs, including orientation, outdoor adventures, and campus-wide engagement initiatives.

• Partner with campus and community organizations to expand experiential learning and co-curricular opportunities for students.

• Evaluate and assess events and programs to improve quality, student learning and satisfaction, and impact

Orientation & Experiential Program

• Lead undergraduate orientation programs, collaborating with faculty, staff, and student leaders to provide engaging, informative, and student-centered experiences.

• Serve on graduate orientation planning committees, contributing expertise on programming, student engagement, and event coordination.

• Coordinate transfer student programs and engagement opportunities, ensuring connection, access, and community-building for these populations.

• Plan, coordinate, and expand experiential learning opportunities that connect students with the Pacific Northwest's natural, cultural, and community resources, including local outdoor adventures, cultural outings, and place-based experiences that foster wellness, leadership development, and community-building.

• Manage outdoor adventure equipment rentals, providing students with safe and accessible resources for recreational and experiential activities

Faculty and Staff Guidance

• Provide guidance and training to faculty and staff on best practices in event planning, experiential learning, and student engagement initiatives.

• Collaborate with campus partners to support effective co-curricular programming, student leadership involvement, and high-quality event delivery.

• Mentor staff in developing, implementing, and assessing programs that create meaningful student experiences.

Cross-Unit Collaboration & Coordination

• Actively promote and participate in cross-unit collaboration and cross-training among department and division staff, ensuring coordinated service delivery and shared expertise for campus-wide programs.

• Lead or support task forces, committees, and cross-campus working groups focused on student engagement, event planning, leadership development, and experiential learning, ensuring integration and alignment across the division and university.

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to develop innovative programming and create collaborative engagement opportunities.

Policy, Procedures & Program Oversight

• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and operational guidelines for events, traditions, orientation, and experiential programs, ensuring consistency, continuity, and risk management.

• Oversee budgets, contracts, and resources for signature events and programs, ensuring sustainability, efficiency, and compliance.

• Assess program outcomes and provide reporting and recommendations to leadership to inform improvements and long-term planning

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Participate in Student Affairs after-hours on-call rotation as scheduled.

• Provide ongoing guidance or intervention to students in specific cases as directed by supervisor, or through the Care Team (the university's behavioral intervention team) or campus climate processes.

• Serve on university and divisional committees, task forces, and hiring committees as needed.

• Provide timely and accurate reports and information as requested.

• Contribute to divisional strategic planning, staff training, and professional development initiatives.

• Provide backup support to Student Affairs colleagues as needed.

• Identify and implement innovative practices to enhance the student experience.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE:

The Assistant Director of Student Engagement performs duties with a high level of professional autonomy and programmatic responsibility, operating within university policies and reporting to the Director of Student Engagement & Inclusion. The position is responsible for the planning, implementation, supervision, and assessment of assigned student engagement programs, services, and initiatives within a specific functional area. Decisions have meaningful operational and student-impact implications and are made independently or in consultation with the Director, as appropriate. The Assistant Director is expected to contribute to strategic planning, develop and maintain policies and procedures, manage program budgets, and collaborate across the division and university to support student success, effective operations, and institutional priorities.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY

Supervises Support-Level Staff: This position supervises several support-level student workers, interns, and/or graduate assistant roles, and is responsible for scheduling, task delegation, and evaluating performance.