Assistant Director, Student Engagement, Events & Experiences

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice.

At Pacific University, we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove and Hillsboro. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, and acquire and share knowledge.

Enrollment Management & Student Affairs at Pacific University is dedicated to fostering student development in support of a more just, sustainable, and caring world. Guided by our core values—equity and inclusion, care, community, and learning—we center holistic student wellbeing, cultivate a sense of belonging, and champion equitable practices. As part of this area, the Student Engagement & Inclusion is committed to continuous growth, collaboration, and innovation in service of our students and campus community. 

Application Deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply by Sunday, May 3 for priority consideration. The position will remain open until filled. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2026.

Salary Range: $48,000-55,000

Reports to: Director, Student Engagement & Inclusion

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION 
The Assistant Director of Student Engagement, Events & Experiences provides leadership for signature campus programs, traditions, and experiential opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. This position oversees major campus events, orientation programs, equipment rental services, and transfer student engagement initiatives. The Assistant Director ensures students have access to meaningful experiences, supports collaboration across departments and community partners, and delivers high-quality, engaging programs that enhance student life and foster a connected campus community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS- MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Signature Events & Traditions

• Plan, coordinate and oversee signature departmental events, including orientations, annual traditions, and other major campus engagement initiatives.

• Lead logistics, budgeting, vendor coordination, and execution of events and experiential programs, including orientation, outdoor adventures, and campus-wide engagement initiatives.

• Partner with campus and community organizations to expand experiential learning and co-curricular opportunities for students.

• Evaluate and assess events and programs to improve quality, student learning and satisfaction, and impact

• Orientation & Experiential Program

• Lead undergraduate orientation programs, collaborating with faculty, staff, and student leaders to provide engaging, informative, and student-centered experiences.

• Serve on graduate orientation planning committees, contributing expertise on programming, student engagement, and event coordination.

• Coordinate transfer student programs and engagement opportunities, ensuring connection, access, and community-building for these populations.

• Plan, coordinate, and expand experiential learning opportunities that connect students with the Pacific Northwest’s natural, cultural, and community resources, including local outdoor adventures, cultural outings, and place-based experiences that foster wellness, leadership development, and community-building.

• Manage outdoor adventure equipment rentals, providing students with safe and accessible resources for recreational and experiential activities.

Faculty and Staff Guidance

• Provide guidance and training to faculty and staff on best practices in event planning, experiential learning, and student engagement initiatives.

• Collaborate with campus partners to support effective co-curricular programming, student leadership involvement, and high-quality event delivery.

• Mentor staff in developing, implementing, and assessing programs that create meaningful student experiences.

• Cross-Unit Collaboration & Coordination

• Actively promote and participate in cross-unit collaboration and cross-training among department and division staff, ensuring coordinated service delivery and shared expertise for campus-wide programs.

• Lead or support task forces, committees, and cross-campus working groups focused on student engagement, event planning, leadership development, and experiential learning, ensuring integration and alignment across the division and university.

• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to develop innovative programming and create collaborative engagement opportunities.

• Policy, Procedures & Program Oversight

• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and operational guidelines for events, traditions, orientation, and experiential programs, ensuring consistency, continuity, and risk management.

• Oversee budgets, contracts, and resources for signature events and programs, ensuring sustainability, efficiency, and compliance.

• Assess program outcomes and provide reporting and recommendations to leadership to inform improvements and long-term planning.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Participate in Student Affairs after-hours on-call rotation as scheduled.

• Provide ongoing guidance or intervention to students in specific cases as directed by supervisor, or through the Care Team (the university’s behavioral intervention team) or campus climate processes.

• Serve on university and divisional committees, task forces, and hiring committees as needed.

• Provide timely and accurate reports and information as requested.

• Contribute to divisional strategic planning, staff training, and professional development initiatives.

• Provide backup support to Student Affairs colleagues as needed.

• Identify and implement innovative practices to enhance the student experience.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE:

The Assistant Director of Student Engagement performs duties with a high level of professional autonomy and programmatic responsibility, operating within university policies and reporting to the Director of Student Engagement & Inclusion. The position is responsible for the planning, implementation, supervision, and assessment of assigned student engagement programs, services, and initiatives within a specific functional area. Decisions have meaningful operational and student-impact implications and are made independently or in consultation with the Director, as appropriate. The Assistant Director is expected to contribute to strategic planning, develop and maintain policies and procedures, manage program budgets, and collaborate across the division and university to support student success, effective operations, and institutional priorities.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY 

Supervises Support-Level Staff: This position supervises several support-level student workers, interns, and/or graduate assistant roles, and is responsible for scheduling, task delegation, and evaluating performance.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 3 years of experience with event planning, orientation planning, and/or student activities

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  

• Excellent customer service and successful written and verbal communication with a broad and diverse audience in a culturally responsive manner.
• Ability to maintain confidential, detailed records.
• Proficient in the use of common office software, spreadsheets, email, databases, and electronic platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with people in a wide range of roles.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision-making.
• Ability to build and sustain rich collaborative relationships with university staff, students, and university partners of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple projects, track data, meet timelines, respond to others in a timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the University with a high standard of integrity and ethics, in support of the University’s strategic vision and the division’s annual goals.
• Able to make independent decisions and recommendations that align with policies, rules, and procedures; ability to ask questions and seek assistance when needed.
• Able to handle a variety of tasks in a fast-paced environment, working independently and/or as part of a team.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in related field (e.g. higher education, student affairs, recreation management, event management, or similar).

• 4 or more years of experience with event planning, orientation planning, and/or student activities

• Experience facilitating educational workshops about student leadership and/or inclusion-related topics

• Supervision experience

• Spanish language skills/abilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Setting: This is a full-time, in-person (not remote) position based primarily on the Forest Grove Campus, with frequent work on the Hillsboro campus.

Schedule Expectations:

• ​​Typically standard weekday hours (Monday–Friday), apx. 8:30-5:30, though hours may vary depending on departmental needs

• Regular evening and weekend work

• Recurring on-call responsibilities

Travel Requirements:

• Frequent travel required between Hillsboro and Forest Grove campuses, as needed

• Occasional travel for professional development (such as conferences or workshops)

• Other occasional travel, as needed

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Medium work – involves lifting up to 40 pounds

• Visual acuity – ability to see and interpret visual information

• Standing and walking for extended periods

• Repetitive hand movements such as grasping and fine motor tasks

• Talking and hearing to communicate with others

• All physical requirements and activities may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter along with your Paycom application.  Persons who do not follow and complete the application process are not applicants and will not be considered for employment.

Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. During the selection process, we will strive to provide timely notifications. The selection process may vary from recruitment to recruitment but typically includes multiple interviews and may take several weeks depending on the position. All qualified applicants will be notified once the selection process has closed.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and continue to work without employer visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

At Pacific University, we are dedicated to offering experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity-minded, and responsive. Our communal success rests on the recognition that complex problems and effective solutions are best approached by teams with a variety of diverse perspectives. and life experiences. As we continue to develop our equity practices, we actively promote access to opportunities and equitable pay for all employees.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs where they are unsure if they can perform every function in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may come from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about how your background and skill set may qualify you for the role.

We, who make up Pacific University, aspire to become a community of purpose where everyone is enabled to be wholly and comfortably who they are; accountable for inclusive behaviors and practices; built on trust, civility, care, openness, and honest conversations often around critical subjects. We know that these values are critical to prepare for a global world with complex problems, through an asset-based mindset so that everyone is afforded an opportunity to succeed. We believe in fostering a workplace where every employee is respected, their contributions are valued, and they are provided opportunities to succeed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying employees. Current benefits include:

• Generous paid time off (for vacation, holidays—including winter break—and sick leave)
• Medical coverage with alternative care options (with in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction)
• Comprehensive dental and vision plans
• Generous retirement contribution after one year of service with no match required
• Free mental health appointments
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependent child(ren) who meet eligibility requirements
• On-campus benefits, including free access to our sports facility and library
• Discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and outdoor program gear rentals (including kayaks, snowshoes, and bikes)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws, including those concerning employment and workplace policies. We are committed to fostering a non-discriminatory and inclusive work environment. We are proud to encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented groups.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

Pacific University makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Applicable laws include, but are not limited to, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116 or via email at provost@pacificu.edu.

Salary : $48,000 - $55,000