Assistant Director for Student Experiences
Job no: 537012
Position type: Administrative & Professional
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Division/Equivalent: Vice President for Student Affairs
School/Unit: SECL - Squires Student Center
Department/Office: 071526-SECL Administration
Categories: Student Affairs / Services
Job Description
We’re currently searching for an Assistant Director for Student Experiences to join the Student Engagement and Campus Life (SECL) team in Blacksburg, VA, to help us in our mission. The Assistant Director for Student Experiences (residential focus) is responsible for developing and implementing a vision for the ExperienceVT initiative in the residence halls as part of the Residential Well-being model. Reporting to the Associate Director for Student Experiences in SECL, the Assistant Director will lead a team of four ExperienceVT Residential Well-being Coordinators to address the unique needs of each residential district and student within Residential Well-being. Additionally, they will support SECL programs through departmental events and oversee VIP Experiences, providing services to unique residential populations and helping students build pathways to meaningful engagement both on campus and in the surrounding community as they prepare to transition to off-campus living. So, if you’re passionate about providing outstanding experiences for our 35,000+ students (including approximately 9,300 on-campus residents), please keep reading.
Here’s what you need to know about the role:
1. You will join Student Engagement and Campus Life, a department that uplifts the student experience by cultivating affirming environments, promoting holistic well-being, and providing exceptional services.
2. You will report to the Associate Director for Student Experiences in a regular, full-time, 100% Administrative Professional appointment.
3. You will be responsible for leading and overseeing the ExperienceVT-related efforts in each of the residence halls. This role will develop a plan for engagement in the residential pillars of ExperienceVT (Traditions, Transitions, Navigating VT, and Connection) to be delivered by the ExperienceVT Coordinators and Student Leaders. In collaboration with the ExperienceVT Coordinators, the Assistant Director will develop training for Student Leaders to foster social engagement through the pillars. This role will also guide efforts that intentionally prepare students for life beyond the residence halls by connecting them with off-campus opportunities, community partnerships, and resources that support successful transitions to off-campus living and engagement. The Assistant Director will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data to determine how best to support each district and identify opportunities to strengthen the residential experience while preparing students for continued engagement as they move off campus. They will also propose changes to community and student leader expectations that may help improve student success and well-being for all students, both during their time in the residence halls and as they transition into the broader Virginia Tech and Blacksburg communities.
4. You will have the chance to grow and take advantage of a professional development plan with opportunities to advance within the Department and the Division.
5. You will be offered a base salary between $58,000 and $68,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, paid leave, retirement, tuition assistance, VT discounts, and so much more!
Required Qualifications
• A master’s degree in higher education or a related field or equivalent experience
• Experience with campus student engagement efforts and an understanding of the residential student experience
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff or graduate/student employees
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, including student belonging and mattering
• Experience developing, implementing, and assessing campus programming
• Ability to analyze and interpret local and national data trends that impact the student experience
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with our diverse campus populations
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, including the ability to communicate with diverse campus populations
Preferred Qualifications
• Creativity in identifying, brainstorming, implementing, and evaluating programs and services to build welcoming communities that foster belonging.
• Proficiency with data collection tools (e.g. survey platforms & reporting dashboards) and experience translating findings into programmatic recommendations.
• Ability to respond effectively to crises
• Experience working with students in a complex educational setting.
• Experience developing curriculum or training content for Residential Student Leaders or SECL student staff members
• Ability to analyze and interpret local and national data trends that impact the student experience, and implement solutions for Residential Well-Being
Pay Band
N/A
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
$58,000 - $68,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
7/27/2026
Additional Information
- The selected candidate is required to have a criminal and a driver's check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
About Student Affairs: Student Affairs at Virginia Tech fosters a community where each student creates a customized experience to meet their goals. Building on our motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek candidates who adopt and practice our Principles of Community, which are fundamental to our ongoing efforts to increase access and inclusion and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth. We are actively seeking people to join our community and help us prepare leaders for the world. Our people in Student Affairs are committed to student well-being and assuring that all students Experience VT by demonstrating, supporting, and operationalizing our Aspirations for Student Learning. If you are someone dedicated to ensuring student success, then we want you to consider being a part of our team!
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the Office for Civil Rights Compliance and Prevention Education at 540-231-2010 or Virginia Tech, 220 Gilbert Street, Suite 5200, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Cristina Rosa Castaner at crosa@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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