Job Details

Program Specialist for Leadership Programs

Position Number: 6250168
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Student Affairs and Services

Program Specialist for Leadership Programs

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Student Center and Activities' mission is to create experiences and spaces that encourage students to discover their interests and find a sense of belonging.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Specialist in Student Center & Activities is responsible for supporting the vision, initiatives, programs, and daily operations of SMU's leadership programs. They are responsible for management of the University's efforts to initiate, support, track, and evaluate leadership initiatives and support student efforts to incorporate leadership into their SMU student experience using an institutional leadership framework. The Specialist serves as the expert within the team for leadership programming and is responsible for facilitating student leadership development across the University. Their direct, hands-on approach is integral in conducting training, leading workshops, soliciting reflections, and advising projects for student demonstration of leadership skills by populations such as Resident Advisors, Peer Academic Leaders, and Orientation Leaders.

Essential Functions:

Represent leadership programs broadly to the division and university. Propagate the institutional leadership framework by managing and facilitating curriculum, training, and interpersonal activities. Counsel and advise individuals, groups of students, and offices in leadership development theory. Facilitate innovative programs and manage resources designed to increase leadership capacity.
Supervise graduate assistants and interns hired to support and enhance leadership programs. Advise student leaders affiliated with leadership programs. Support student workers and student leaders connected to the Division of Student Affairs as part of a dedicated effort to build lifelong skills and capabilities.
Serve as conduit between endowment donors and leadership program operations through efforts such as providing budget information and program updates, tracking endowment contributions, and preparing annual reports for the endowed leadership programs. Schedule and facilitate endowed leadership program board meetings with various internal and external constituents.
Assist in execution of the mission and operations of the Student Center & Activities office including support of large-scale programming efforts, student involvement outreach, and dissemination of policies and procedures.
Continuously seek and incorporate developing aspects/methods of leadership theory, facilitation, and assessment into leadership programming (i.e., certifications in Clifton Strengths, MBTI, DISC). Maintain up-to-date repository of information and literature related to leadership and personal development.
Other duties as assigned.
Occasional evening/weekend hours required to support Student Center & Activities programs.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree is required. A Master's degree is preferred.

A minimum of three (3) years of experience is required. Experience advising students and/or student groups in the areas of leadership development is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate training in CliftonStrengths, MBTI, DISC, etc. is preferred.

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate must have a demonstrated commitment to leadership development and training.

Candidate familiarity with leadership theories, models, and frameworks is required.

Candidate must work well with students in counseling, teaching, and advising situations.

Candidate must possess high-level, interpersonal and networking skills, as well as a professional demeanor.

Candidate proficiency in Microsoft Office and similar programs is essential.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time
Bend, squat, stand, kneel
Walk for long distances
Reach above shoulders
Handle objects (dexterity)
Push/pull
Carry/lift over 25-50 lbs.

Deadline to Apply:

This position is open until filled.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Student Services

Organization: Student Life

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Individual Contributor

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: No

Job Posting: May 23, 2025, 2:36:42 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=STU00000138&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC