Associate Director for Community Engagement and Partnership

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $56,395 and $71,340, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Associate Director for Community Engagement and Partnership reports directly to the Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The associate director provides operational and student-centered leadership within the Office of Multicultural Affairs, with primary responsibility for multicultural student engagement, community partnerships, student organization advising, leadership development, and programming. The associate director develops and maintains relationships with campus and community partners to create educational, leadership, service, and experiential opportunities that support student learning, connection, and success. This position works closely with the director to advance office of multicultural affairs priorities, budget, risk management and supports the development and implementation of programs that strengthen multicultural engagement and community. The associate director provides direct advising and leadership support to the UDC and office of multicultural affairs-affiliated student organizations, helping students develop organizational capacity, leadership skills, effective programming, and appropriate partnerships. The position also supervises the assistant director and provides direction and coordination to student employees and other student leaders within the office of multicultural affairs. The associate director collaborates with campus partners on student success, transition, engagement, and retention initiatives and connects students with appropriate university resources. This position serves as a member of the office of multicultural affairs leadership team and assumes designated responsibilities for the office in the absence of the director. The associate director provides students and student organizations with appropriate guidance and direction, communicates expectations, redirects when necessary, and helps students understand and take responsibility for the impact and consequences of their decisions. The associate director assesses student and organizational needs and connects students with appropriate university resources, processes, or support when additional assistance or intervention is needed.

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement initiatives that strengthen multicultural student engagement, connection, belonging, leadership, and community. Provide direct advising and support to office of multicultural affairs-affiliated student organizations and student leaders. Serve as the primary professional advisor and institutional liaison to the UDC, supporting its student leadership, organizational development, programming, communication, and governance responsibilities. Support UDC-recognized organizations in developing effective leadership structures, programming, partnerships, and student engagement strategies. Advise student leaders through organizational planning, conflict resolution, decision-making, and accountability matters. Create opportunities for students from different backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives to build relationships and participate in meaningful dialogue and community engagement. Develop leadership opportunities that strengthen students¿ communication, collaboration, organizational, and community-building skills. (25%)
• Develop, implement, and assess multicultural, social, cultural, educational, and leadership programs in collaboration with the director and office of multicultural affairs staff. Oversee signature office of multicultural affairs programs and initiatives, including programs that promote multicultural awareness, student leadership, community connection, and academic and personal success. Serve as a lead project manager for major office of multicultural affairs programs and events, including the annual unity banquet and scholarship dinner. Coordinate student leadership development opportunities, workshops, peer education, and experiential learning programs. Develop opportunities for students to participate in service learning, mentoring, research, education abroad, career development, and other high-impact experiences. Ensure programs and events are appropriately planned, staffed, promoted, assessed, and aligned with university policies and expectations. Collaborate with Spartan Connections Hub directors and campus partners on large-scale and university-wide programming. Facilitate educational workshops, training, and presentations for students, faculty, and staff as requested. (20%)
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with campus departments, academic units, community organizations, alumni, and other external partners. Create opportunities for students and student organizations to engage with the Cleveland community through service, education, leadership, and experiential learning. Develop partnerships that expand opportunities for multicultural students and student organizations. Collaborate with university partners to connect students with academic, career, financial, wellness, and other resources that support student success. Partner with Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Advancement, First-Year Experience and Family Programs, Education Abroad, Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education, University Health and Counseling Services, and other appropriate offices. Identify and coordinate opportunities for office of multicultural affairs students and student organizations to participate in university and community initiatives. Represent office of multicultural affairs in appropriate campus and community meetings, committees, and collaborative initiatives. (20%)
• Supervise, train, develop, and evaluate the office of multicultural affairs assistant director and provide directions to assigned student employees and student leaders. Establish performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and address performance concerns in accordance with university policies and Human Resources practices. Work with the Director to develop and manage office of multicultural affairs program budgets and monitor expenditure, purchasing, contracts, and other financial transactions. Support funding development through grants, sponsorships, alumni and community partnerships, and other appropriate sources. Provide administrative and financial support for the UDC and office of multicultural affairs-affiliated student organizations in accordance with university policies and applicable funding requirements. Assess program, event, student, and organizational risks and coordinate appropriate response or escalation. Ensure office of multicultural affairs programs and student organization activities comply with university policies, risk-management expectations, and applicable procedures. Maintain appropriate records, documentation, agreements, and financial information. Provide operational leadership and assume designated administrative responsibilities in the absence of the director. (15%)
• Provide individual and group advising related to student engagement, leadership development, campus involvement, and navigation of university resources. Support initiatives that promote student transition, persistence, engagement, and academic success. Collaborate with Student Advancement and other university partners to connect students with appropriate academic and support resources. Help students identify and pursue opportunities that complement their academic experience and professional development. Assess student needs and make appropriate referrals when additional support or intervention is needed. Develop and use assessment measures to evaluate student engagement, programs, organizational effectiveness, and outcomes. Use student feedback and assessment findings to improve programs, services, and student leadership experiences. (10%)
• Work closely with the director to implement office of multicultural affairs priorities and initiatives. Participate as a member of the office of multicultural affairs leadership team and contribute to departmental planning, communication, and decision-making. Collaborate with the Executive Director and other spartan connections hub directors on cross-functional initiatives and student engagement priorities. Support coordinated services and programming across the spartan connections hub. Represent office of multicultural affairs and the spartan connections hub professionally in university meetings and initiatives as assigned. Serve on university committees and task forces as assigned. Serve as the director's designee and assume designated administrative responsibilities during the director's absence. (6%)
  
  
  

Nonessential Functions

• Participate in professional development and maintain knowledge of current practices in multicultural student engagement, student development, community engagement, and higher education. (2%)
• Represent office of multicultural affairs through appropriate professional associations and community organizations. (2%)
  
  
  

CONTACTS

Department: Continuous contact with the director, assistant director, office of multicultural affairs staff, student employees, student leaders, and student organizations regarding advising, programming, operations, and departmental initiatives.

University: Regular contact with Student Affairs departments, academic units, Student Advancement, Admissions, Financial Aid, First-Year Experience and Family Programs, Education Abroad, University Health and Counseling Services, Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education, University Marketing and Communications, and other campus partners regarding programming and initiatives.

External: Regular contact with community organizations, nonprofit organizations, alumni, corporate and community partners, and other external organizations supporting student engagement and experiential learning.

Students: Continuous contact with undergraduate and graduate students through advising, student organization leadership, programming, mentoring, leadership development, and community engagement.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Direct supervision of the office of multicultural affairs assistant director. Indirect supervision and coordination of assigned student employees, peer facilitators, and student leaders involved in office of multicultural affairs programs and initiatives.

Qualifications

Experience: 5 years of progressively responsible experience in multicultural affairs, student affairs, student engagement, community engagement, student organization advising, leadership development, or a related field required. Experience supervising professional staff and advising student organizations required. Experience working with multicultural student populations, student leadership, community partnerships, and program development required.

Education: Master's degree required in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Education, Social Work, Counseling, Leadership Development, or a related field required.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of multicultural student engagement, student development, and student organization leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to advise and develop student leaders and organizations.
• Demonstrated experience working with varied student populations and communities.
• Ability to advise and support a student governing organization such as the UDC and its affiliated student organizations.
• Ability to provide students with appropriate guidance and direction, communicate expectations, redirect when necessary, and support students in taking responsibility for their decisions.
• Strong relationship-building, collaboration, and community partnership skills.
• Strong organizational, project management, and event-planning skills.
• Ability to supervise, coach, and develop professional and student employees.
• Ability to manage budgets, financial transactions, grants, and other administrative processes.
• Ability to assess and appropriately address student, organizational, program, and event risk.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and navigate complex or sensitive situations.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships across university departments and with external organizations.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and identities.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
  
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment. Regular interaction with students, faculty, staff, university leadership, families, community partners, and external organizations. This position requires regular movement between campus locations and participation in programs, meetings, and events. Evening and weekend work is required periodically to support student programs, organizational activities, university events, and student concerns. Some local, regional, and national travel may be required.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.