Executive Director, K-State Student Union

About This Role:

The Executive Director provides leadership and strategic direction to the K-State Student Union in order to ensure services, programs, leadership experiences, and educational opportunities that foster a sense of well-being and belonging in an inclusive campus community.  This position is a visionary leader, instrumental in orchestrating a high-quality and outstanding student experience.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Leadership-Specific

45%: Create, update, and administer the Union’s strategic plan; conduct regular assessment activities and oversee the long-term direction and ongoing vision of the Union. Serve as the key management leader, responsible to the Union Governing Board (UGB) and Union Corporation Board (UCB) for the overall strategic management of the Union. Serve as advisor to UGB and UCB on all aspects of the Union’s activities and interests and collaborate to achieve desired outcomes. Identify, assess, and inform the UCB and UGB of internal and external opportunities and challenges that impact the Union, by working directly with students, staff, and stakeholders to determine primary needs and long-term direction of the Union’s operations.

Interpret and incorporate university and Kansas Board of Regents policies. Implement and manage organizational development strategies and processes for the Union’s business services, human resources, student programs, building reservations, ID Center, marketing, custodial, maintenance, information technology, passports, bowling center, retail food service, catering, and engraving functions. Communicate with stakeholders regarding the work of the Union and to identify opportunities and challenges to the student community. Engage in dialogue with students, encouraging learning outcome development through assessment and evaluate decisions through a student development lens. Oversee student-centered cultural, recreational, and educational programs through partnerships with Student Programs and Involvement (SPI), registered student organizations, university departments, and affiliated stakeholders.

Promote the image of the Union and university to stakeholders, community partners, and other institutions. Direct, manage and encourage a team of approximately 150-200 staff, to include unclassified, Union support staff (USS), student/part-time employees. Coordinate the efforts of multiple staff and departments for the execution of the Union’s mission. Contribute intentionally to the development of team culture and engagement. Plan, foster, examine, analyze and evaluate Union operations, personnel issues, and coaching/mentoring of staff.

Establish and maintain collaborative efforts with affiliate retail units and the community to provide customer-centric experiences within the Union. Evaluate strategies and programs to measure the achievements of established goals and provide consultative services to affiliated stakeholders. Ensure Union and affiliate programs and services reflect diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for the campus community. Maintain pulse of higher education multi-use facilities, including fiscal considerations, daily operations, event space reservations, facilities management, and student programming.

Fiscal Management-Specific

45%: Ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability through coordination, preparation, implementation, and management of the Union’s annual budget of approximately $4 million. Forecast budget scenarios based on various fiscal assumptions and trends. Advocate and secure adequate funding for the effective operation of the Union. Present accurate and timely financial-related reports to stakeholders.

Oversee funding proposals, business contracts, and agreements that ensure Union success. Procure, negotiate, approve, and administer business contract and agreement terms. Seek innovative revenue-generating opportunities to expand services that align with the Union’s mission. Manage financial control of the facility, to include deferred maintenance, construction, remodeling, and renovation projects.

Represent the Union to external stakeholders as well as institutional partners, and professional and student associations and committees. 

Departmental Operations

10%: Hire, train, supervise, and assess performance of direct reports, to include leadership staff. Research, analyze, and report on special projects. Serve as the head of Union’s leadership team as well as internal and external committees, to include the Division of Academic Success and Student Affairs (DASSA) Council. Maintain professional association membership and involvement. Remain current and competent by developing professional contacts with colleagues and seeking out professional development opportunities. Perform other duties as assigned and instructed.

To view the full position description, visit the Union’s Jobs page . Questions can be directed to  . Notice of nondiscrimination .  

Why join the K-State Student Union:

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: 

The K-State Student Union actively seeks candidates whose commitments and contributions will advance the Union’s commitment to the Principles of Community. Policy on nondiscrimination.

Worksite: 

This position is required to be performed on-site . Work is performed on employer premises or designated assignment location.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum education and experience requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and twelve or more years of demonstrated experience; or
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution and eight or more years of demonstrated experience; or
• Doctoral degree from an accredited institution and four or more years of demonstrated experience.

Experience:

• Demonstrated progressively responsible student union leadership or management roles in a large campus environment
• Understanding of national best practices for a multi-use facility in a university setting, including fiscal considerations, daily operations, reservations, facilities management, policies and procedures, and programs
• Strategic planning experience in a student union environment
• Involvement and leadership in professional associations
• Direct experience with learning outcome development and assessment
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills
• Knowledge of student development theory and/or adult learning, including insight into today’s students and developmental needs of   students
• Capital planning and management experience
• Budget creation and fiscal management
• Demonstrated progressive experience in contract negotiation and management
• Non-profit experience
• Ability to work cross-functionally and with a wide variety of projects and competing deadlines 
• Supervisory responsibility

Preferred education and experience requirements:

Education:

• Master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited institution with an educational emphasis in higher education administration, student development, student affairs, or business administration

Experience:

• Experience supporting student development in a higher education setting
• Understanding of the culture that exists on a large, academically-focused institution of higher education
• Proficiency in organizational and talent development principles to build strong, well-structured, and high-functioning internal teams
• Experience utilizing and implementing student development theories and practices, including staying abreast of the changing role of the student union and/or student life in higher education
• Experience working with a student government system, including varied student affinity organizations, and student governing boards
• Experience overseeing large capital projects, renovations, and general construction of a public facility
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainability

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment

Anticipated Hiring Range:

$112,827 - $131,162

How to Apply:

To apply and be considered, applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé or CV, and three professional references to . 

Applications will be accepted through March 29, 2024.