Director of Student Centers and Conference Services

About the role

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Auxiliary Services and Strategic Initiatives, the Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and fiscal stewardship for the Student Union, the future Student Success Building, and conference services. The Director is responsible for maximizing the impact, utilization, and sustainability of these highly visible campus destinations through innovative services, conference and event operations, strategic partnerships, revenue generation, and operational excellence. As a Campus Operations Leader, the Director advances the student experience through the activation of university gathering spaces, cultivation of campus and community partnerships, implementation of institutional priorities, and stewardship of resources that support student success, campus connection, and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Planning (30%): Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Student Union, Student Success Building, and conference services; lead operational readiness, occupancy transition, and activation planning; provide strategic leadership for conferences and event services; establish and lead a comprehensive, data‑informed assessment program.
• Financial Management, Reporting, & Revenue Generation (25%): Responsible for financial operation of department facilities and services; direct and oversee an operating budget of $2 million; perform cost and operational efficiency analyses; prepare, review, and reconcile financial statements; monitor expenditures; establish, monitor, and report KPIs; prepare regular financial, staffing, utilization, facilities, assessment, and operational reports; work with partners to identify new revenue opportunities; establish annual revenue targets and measurable performance goals; monitor and report results.
• Facility Operations, Policies, & Compliance (20%): Manage daily operations of the Student Union and assigned facilities; oversee facility utilization, space scheduling, conference and event operations, building access, service delivery; utilize facility and operational metrics to optimize hours, resource allocation, staffing, capital improvement; coordinate with Facilities Management, IT, EH&S, food service providers, contractors, vendors, and other campus partners; provide operational coordination for renovation, construction, and facility improvement projects; develop and maintain departmental operating procedures, emergency protocols, service standards, and internal controls.
• Staff Leadership & Supervision (10%): Provide leadership, supervision, and direction for Student Union staff; foster a high‑performing, customer‑focused team; provide leadership for staff development and workforce planning; build organizational capacity by developing supervisory and leadership capacity within the department.
• Campus Engagement, Events, & Representation (10%): Serve as primary operational liaison for high‑profile University events; represent the department and division at meetings; develop and maintain strategic partnerships with campus partners, community organizations, and external stakeholders; participate in various campus committees, professional trainings, industry conferences, and conventions.
• Other duties as assigned (5%): Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and ability to learn and use institutional software systems; occasional travel required; supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organization's objectives, policies, and applicable laws.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, Hospitality Management, Student Affairs, Facility Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Required: Five years of related experience and/or training in the essential duties and responsibilities; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Required: Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in university union operations, conference and event services, auxiliary services, facility operations, hospitality, student affairs administration, or a related service‑oriented environment, including a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Required: Experience in managing budgets, facility or venue operations, customer service functions, and multiple operational priorities.
• Preferred: Master’s degree from an accredited university.
• Preferred: Four or more years of related experience in student affairs, facility management/operations, or a combination of the above.
• Preferred: Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Preferred: Demonstrated professional involvement in ACUI, ACCED‑I, NASPA or other professional organizations.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, life insurance and wellness platform.
• Voluntary benefits: dental, vision, additional life insurance, UT Flex, short‑ and long‑term disability plans.
• Retirement programs.
• Longevity pay.
• Paid vacation & sick leave.
• Paid holidays.