Student Life - Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life

As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. 

Sacred Heart University is a contemporary Catholic university rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts that cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. SHU upholds a universal perspective, welcoming and valuing diverse faith traditions, including those from religious and nonreligious backgrounds. This catholicity, which is the basis of inclusivity, enriches dialogue, deepens understanding and strengthens our commitment to creating a more compassionate and just world.

The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 388 Colleges–2023 Edition, and Best Business Schools–2023 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu 
 
To apply

Only applications submitted through the official Careers at SHU site will be accepted for employment consideration. If you are viewing this job advertisement through a different site, please visit Careers at SHU to submit a formal application.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete application and resume via our online application system. A cover letter or statement of interest is also preferred for all staff positions.

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

This position will serve as a member of the Office of Student Life. It will work to improve the undergraduate student experience through student development and education outside of the classroom. Utilizing the University Mission, the Assistant Director (AD) will play a critical role in enhancing the fraternity and sorority life as a whole. The AD will need to work with many different departments on campus, such as Residential Life and Community Standards, to coordinate events and uphold University policies. The position will also extensively engage students in leadership and learning opportunities. The AD is a full-time, twelve-month position requiring frequent evening and weekend commitments.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• FSL Community Development: Along with the Director, assist in the development, management, and oversight of the entire FSL community, which includes 14 chapters and over 2,100 members.
• Chapter President Advisory: Serve as the primary advisor to half of the FSL chapter presidents. Hold bi-weekly meetings to discuss chapter events, programming, recruitment, development, and other key initiatives.
• Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) Advisory: Act as the primary advisor to the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC), attending all weekly executive board meetings, council meetings, and council-sponsored programming, including pre-recruitment events.
• IFC President Collaboration: Hold weekly meetings with the IFC President to discuss community events, programming, recruitment, expansion, officer elections, and accountability.
• Panhellenic Recruitment Support: Along with the Director and Graduate Assistant, provide support throughout the Panhellenic Formal Recruitment Weekend, including advancing the recruitment process using ICS software as needed.
• Recruitment Counselor Hiring & Training: Assist in the hiring process for Panhellenic Recruitment Counselor staff each spring and co-plan and lead training for the counselors prior to new-student move-in in August.
• Liaison to Headquarters and External Organizations: Serve as a liaison between the University, IFC chapter headquarters, local chapter advisors, and the North American Inter-Fraternity Conference (NIC), maintaining regular communication with all parties.
• Fraternity Recruitment Management: Update and maintain the fraternity recruitment software (Campus Director) during each semester’s recruitment process, ensuring accurate records of participating chapters, registration, and recruitment events.
• Expansion Oversight: Assist the Director in overseeing expansion efforts for both the fraternity and sorority communities.
• Collaboration with University Offices: Work closely with other University departments to ensure responsible programming and events that promote educational growth for both FSL and non-FSL students.
• Leadership Development Programs: Create, implement, and, when needed, chaperone leadership development opportunities for FSL student leaders, such as attending NGLA each spring.
• Risk Management & Hazing Prevention: Provide ongoing risk management and hazing prevention education to all chapters, ensuring the health and safety of all FSL events.
• Emerging Leader Institute: Plan, organize, and co-instruct the Emerging Leader Institute for FSL members during the academic year to cultivate leadership skills and engagement. This program will have multiple advancing tracks for prospective student leaders.
• Chapter President Training: Co-coordinate a two-day training session each January for newly elected chapter presidents, focusing on leadership skills, University policies, and FSL-specific knowledge.
• Standards of Excellence: Ensure that chapter leadership maintains accurate records for the FSL accreditation process (Standards of Excellence). Assist chapters with fulfilling these requirements as needed.
• Maintain Chapter Records: Keep accurate and up-to-date records for all chapters, including rosters, grade reports, programming details, formal registrations, and philanthropy efforts.
• Program Coordination with VPs of Programming: Co-advise the IFC and Panhellenic VPs of Programming to oversee key annual FSL programs, such as Greek Week and the Awards Ceremony.
• Budget Management: With the Director's approval, maintain and manage an annual budget for FSL programming and events.
• Supervision of Graduate Assistants: Co-supervise Graduate Assistant(s) with the Director, including managing their work assignments, professional development, and scheduling.
• Oversee Student Life Graduate Assistants: Manage the hiring, training, scheduling, and professional development of Student Life Graduate Assistants who support FSL activities.
• Move-In Volunteer Coordination: Assist the Director with organizing and coordinating volunteer efforts during the move-in process, including scheduling and ensuring a smooth transition for new students.
• Leadership Development Participation: Actively participate in leadership development opportunities to stay informed about national trends and best practices in the FSL community.
• University-Wide Initiatives: Contribute to University-wide initiatives, such as Orientation, Move-In, Open Houses, Accepted Students Days, Family Weekend, Senior Week, Commencement, Convocation, and other major events.
• First Year Experience (FYE) Instruction: Instruct at least one cohort of the First Year Experience (FYE) program each fall semester, providing guidance and support to first-year students as they transition to college life.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Perform other related tasks and responsibilities as needed to support the Office of Student Life and FSL initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

• Master’s Degree required.
• At least two years of professional experience.
• Knowledge of FSL systems, organizations, and national trends.
• Prior knowledge of ICS and/or Campus Director recruitment software is strongly preferred, though not required.
• Knowledge and prior practice of basic student development theories.
• Membership in a(n) (inter-) national fraternity or sorority is preferred but not required.

Unusual Working Conditions

The position requires weekend and evening hours and, on occasion, holiday work (as determined by the supervisor).

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.