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Position Function:

The Director of the Colvard Student Union provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and fiscal management for the university's student union facility and related programs. This position is responsible for ensuring that the Colvard Student Union serves as the center for student engagement, community building, events, services, and campus life while maintaining a welcoming, safe, and customer-focused environment.

The Director oversees facility operations, budget development and management, staffing, customer service initiatives, capital planning, replacement and renewal programs, operational assessment, and strategic planning efforts. The position collaborates extensively with students, university departments, vendors, alumni, and external partners to ensure the student union remains a vibrant and innovative hub supporting the university's mission and student success.

The Director reports to the Executive Director of the Colvard Student Union and Event Services and supervises professional, support, and student employees. The Director serves on the university's On Call Team and acts as a liaison between the Crisis Action Team and the University Police Department during emergencies and critical incidents. The Director also serves as the budgetary advisor to The Reflector, providing financial oversight and guidance for the university's student newspaper.

Salary Grade:  17

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges.  For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Administration
1. Develop and implement long-range strategic goals and priorities for the Colvard Student Union.
2. Establish operational objectives and performance measures aligned with Student Affairs and university initiatives.
3. Serve as the primary advocate and representative of the Colvard Student Union.
4. Evaluate industry trends and best practices to enhance operations, services, and programs.
5. Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and standards supporting operational excellence.
6. Foster an inclusive, welcoming, and engaging environment for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors.
7. Collaborate with campus leadership and stakeholders to advance institutional priorities.

Fiscal Management and Financial Oversight
1. Develop, administer, and monitor annual operating budgets.
2. Analyze financial performance and prepare budget forecasts and reports.
3. Oversee revenue-generating activities and service agreements.
4. Ensure compliance with university financial policies and procedures.
5. Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies.
6. Participate in long-range financial planning initiatives.
7. Serve as budgetary advisor to The Reflector, providing guidance and oversight regarding expenditures, planning, and fiscal accountability.

Facility Operations, Capital Planning, and Renewal
1. Direct the daily operation and stewardship of the Colvard Student Union facility.
2. Develop and maintain replacement and renewal plans for facilities, equipment, furnishings, and technology.
3. Establish priorities for capital improvement projects.
4. Collaborate with Facilities Management regarding maintenance, renovations, and construction projects.
5. Monitor facility conditions and preventative maintenance activities.
6. Oversee space utilization and operational sustainability initiatives.
7. Ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, and regulatory requirements.
8. Recommend investments that enhance facility functionality and customer experience.

Staffing, Supervision, and Employee Development
1. Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate professional, support, and student employees.
2. Establish staffing plans and performance expectations.
3. Promote professional growth through training, mentoring, and development opportunities.
4. Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and service excellence.
5. Develop succession planning and employee development initiatives.
6. Ensure staff are adequately trained in customer service, emergency procedures, facility operations, and event support functions.

Customer Service, Event Operations, and Campus Engagement
1. Establish and maintain customer service standards throughout the facility.
2. Ensure effective operational support for meetings, conferences, university events, and student programs.
3. Collaborate with Event Services to support scheduling, coordination, and execution of events.
4. Direct operational support functions related to event setup, logistics, room turnover, and facility readiness.
5. Resolve complex customer concerns and operational issues.
6. Develop systems to evaluate customer satisfaction and service quality.
7. Collaborate with student organizations, academic departments, and campus partners to support student engagement initiatives.
8. Foster partnerships that strengthen the student union's role as the center of campus life.

Assessment and Continuous Improvement
1. Develop and implement assessment measures related to facility utilization, customer satisfaction, and operational effectiveness.
2. Utilize data and performance metrics to support planning and decision-making.
3. Prepare reports highlighting operational performance and future priorities.
4. Benchmark services against peer institutions and industry standards.
5. Lead continuous improvement initiatives designed to enhance service quality and operational effectiveness.

Safety, Risk Management, and Compliance
1. Ensure compliance with university policies and applicable regulations.
2. Develop and maintain emergency preparedness and response procedures.
3. Coordinate with University Police, Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Management, and Facilities Management on risk management initiatives.
4. Maintain operational records, documentation, and compliance reports.
5. Ensure a safe and secure environment for students, staff, and visitors.
6. Serve as a member of the university's On Call Team.
7. Act as liaison between the Crisis Action Team, University Police Department, and university leadership during emergencies and critical incidents.
8. Participate in emergency preparedness training and incident response activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Facility Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
2. Five years of progressively responsible experience in student union operations, facility management, student affairs, conference services, hospitality management, or related areas.
3. Experience managing budgets and financial resources.
4. Experience supervising professional and student staff.
5. Experience overseeing facility operations, customer service, or event support functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience directing a student union, campus center, conference center, or comparable multi-use facility.
2. Experience managing capital projects and replacement and renewal programs.
3. Knowledge of national best practices in student union and campus center administration.
4. Experience utilizing facility scheduling, event management, and assessment systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and organizational skills.
2. Knowledge of budget development and fiscal management practices.
3. Knowledge of facility operations, maintenance planning, and capital project management.
4. Ability to lead and develop teams.
5. Strong customer service and relationship-management skills.
6. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
7. Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex operational functions.
8. Knowledge of event and conference services operations.
9. Ability to analyze operational and financial data.
10. Commitment to student development, engagement, and success.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

This position operates in a dynamic, customer-focused, high-traffic student-centered environment. Evening, weekend, holiday, and on-call work may be required to support university programs, facility operations, special events, and emergency response activities.

Physical Requirements
1. Moderate mobility throughout a large multi-use facility.
2. Ability to move throughout the facility during events and emergency situations.
3. Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving of materials up to established university guidelines.
4. Work is performed in both office and public event environments.

Instructions for Applying:

Link to apply:  http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.