Assistant Director, Student Life, Event Operations

Working Title: Assistant Director, Student Life, Event Operations

State Role Title: Public Relations and Marketing Manager I

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Student Life and Involvement

Department: 300076 - Madison Union

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $53,000 - $55,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 08/05/2025

About JMU:

James Madison University is a publicly funded university with a beautiful campus and a supportive community that is committed to preparing students for the future. The university offers excellent comprehensive benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program, Balanced Dukes, that is designed to support the overall wellbeing of our employees and a Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.

Visit our Prospective Employee site to learn more about what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

Event Management in Student Life at James Madison University is currently seeking applicants for the Assistant Director, Event Operations for Student Life. This position is a leader in managing the student organization program registration process, event related university technology systems (e.g.. 25LIve-CollegeNet and EMS Platforms) and a high-level of collaboration. The person in this role will demonstrate advanced understanding of student development and learning theory to ensure policies, processes, and procedures contribute to a sense of belonging in which students' academic, social, and emotional development can grow. This role will work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders on and off campus. This position serves as a campus security authority under the Jean Clery Campus Safety Act.

The Division of Student Affairs includes University Career Center, Center for Multicultural Student Services, Community Engagement and Volunteer Center, Counseling Center, Dean of Students, Disability Services, Student Accountability & Restorative Practices, Residence Life, Student Life, University Health Center, University Recreation, and Well Dukes. The division is an integral part of the campus community and works collaboratively with the other divisions of the university in supporting the mission, vision, and values of the university. Successful candidates will embody the values of Student Affairs at James Madison University and will infuse these values in their day-to-day practice.

Student Affairs Values:
Focusing on Students
Leading Courageously
Transcending Boundaries
Creating Belonging
Embracing Innovation and Change
Honoring and Valuing Our Staff
Prioritizing Health and Well-Being

Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervision:

• Directly supervise, develop and evaluate the following full-time classified employees: One Audio Visual and Production Specialist, two scheduling coordinators, and the Event Management Coordinator.
• Indirectly supervise one full-time, 10-month Scheduling Assistant Coordinator, one part-time wage Event Assistant, one part-time Scheduling Assistant, and student employees.
• Foster a comfortable work environment, a culture of personal and professional excellence, and working relationships based on belonging and mutual respect.
• Ensure those they directly and indirectly supervise assist in high-level of collaboration.

Student Organization Program Registration and Scheduling:

• In collaboration with key stakeholders, develop, implement, evaluate and assess the Program Registration process for on-campus programs sponsored by student organizations.
• Monitor, evaluate, and assess annual scheduling processes for student activity spaces managed by Student Life (including, but not limited to the Union, Festival Conference and Student Center, and Student Success Center) for on and off campus constituents.
• Review and update shared space agreements on behalf of student organizations with campus partners when applicable.
• Contribute to the training and development of all staff associated with program registration and scheduling.
• Oversee the team that communicates with student organizations on how to reserve rooms and host events on campus.
• Collaborate with Student Life, the Student Life Advisory Board, other Student Affairs departments, Information Technology, University Events, Academic leadership, Athletics, external clients, student organizations, and any relevant stakeholders to ensure quality delivery of services, understanding of policy, and continuous improvement.

University Event Support:

• Ensure high-quality and impactful support to all constituents hosting events at JMU.
• Maintain a balance between university events and the student experience based on agreed upon priorities.
• Collaborate with Student Life, Student Affairs departments, Information Technology, University Events, Academic Affairs, Athletics, Alumni Relations, and external clients, to ensure quality delivery of services, knowledge of policy, and maintenance of equipment associated with student activity spaces managed by Student Life.
• Provide support to the Director of Student Life and Associate Director for Facilities and Event Services establish priorities, resolve conflicts, manage logistics, and maximize use of facilities based on judgments of compatibility of events with the University and departmental missions.
• Provide recommendations to departmental leadership regarding improvements to scheduling and facilities based on constituent feedback
• in order to ensure successful event coordination.
• Coordinates the Annual Event Management Forum for university partners and constituents.

Integrated Technology:

• Lead a team to execute usage and integration of university technology systems (including but not limited to: Event Management Software (EMS), Master Calendar, Traf-Sys, Campus Groups and PeopleSoft interface) for maximum optimization
• Demonstrate the ability to choose from appropriate digital tools and resources for event planning and management service delivery and problem-solving.
• Assess organizational needs, align technology solutions with university, divisional, and department goals, and monitor the seamless integration of new systems with current technology solutions.
• Work with JMU Information Technology staff, software and hardware representatives, and Associate Director for Facilities and Event Services (FES) when appropriate to resolve problems, plan for upgrades, and communicate additional needs.
• Basic production and audio-visual terms and capabilities in order to support the Audio Visual and Production Specialist.

Evaluation/Assessment:

• Work with the Associate Director and Director to develop and implement ongoing assessment efforts with the expressed purpose of measuring attainment of objectives and program improvement.
• Assessment should ascertain needs, participation and non-participation demographics, participant satisfaction, and accomplishment of stated goals and learning objectives.
• Assessment results should inform resource allocation, program improvement, and marketing processes.

Committee Work:

• Serve on department and university committees as assigned, including the Major Events Planning Committee and Co-Chair the Commencement Ceremonies Committee
• Actively participate in accomplishing established goals and objectives.

Professional Development:

• Accomplish a minimum of 20 hours of professional development, attend Student Life professional development training, participate in staff retreats and other job-related training specific to Student Life.
• Effectively utilize conferences and other professional development opportunities as tools for staying current in the field of student organization development.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Advanced knowledge of student development and learning theory
• Knowledge and experience using space management online platform (e.g.. EMS, 25Live-CollegeNet, etc.)
• Knowledge and experience in event management processes
• Demonstrate ability to supervise professional staff
• Commitment to evaluation and assessment
• Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining partnerships
• High level critical thinking skills
• Proven ability to plan, coordinate, and execute events from concept to completion
• Demonstrated success in managing event logistics, including venue selection, vendor coordination, and on-site execution
• Demonstrated strategic thinking skills
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills with attention to detail in fast-paced environments.

Additional Considerations:

• Intermediate experience using space management online platform (e.g.. EMS, 25Live-CollegeNet, etc.)
• Quantitative reasoning
• Proficiency in articulating ideas clearly and effectively in both written and spoken formats
• Strong ethical reasoning

Additional Posting Information:

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.