Brock University Students’ Union
POSITION TITLE: Director of Student Life & Communications
REPORTS TO: General Manager
Employment Period: Permanent Full-Time
Pay Rate: $60,000 - $70,000
SECTION 1: PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION
The Director of Student Life & Communications will aid in the execution of the vision, mandate and duties of the elected student Executives (primarily the VPSS), General Manager and organization as a whole. The Director of Student Life & Communications will be the Senior Manager responsible for overseeing the Marketing, Events, Clubs, Partnership and Services portfolio for BUSU. The role will provide direction, strategic vision, relationship management and financial viability for all areas of the portfolio while reporting to the General Manager. The Director of Student Life & Communications will be a member of the Senior Management Team of BUSU which will aim to move the organization forward, provide continuum, corporate history and ongoing support for the Executive Team.
Responsibilities:
Transition and Support:
· Assist the General Manager and Director of Government Operations in the annual transition and onboarding of the elected student Executives, most notably the Vice-President, Student Services (VPSS).
· Support the VPSS with the delivery of their mandate, while providing them guidance, mentorship, relationship management and support.
· Act as the liaison and relationship continuance for the VPSS and relevant community stakeholders.
· Be ultimately responsible for all budgets in the portfolio of Student Life & Communications.
· Ensure that the Student Life portfolio is meeting student needs, operating using best practices and is operating fiscally responsible.
Supervision:
· Work in conjunction with the VPSS to hire the Student Life portfolio team.
· Provide direct supervision of the Marketing Manager, Programmer and Events Manager, Partnership Manager, Clubs Manager, Student Engagement Coordinator and other coordinators/managers that are added to the portfolio.
· Work with the VPSS to set the direction and supervision of the student staff in the portfolio.
· Work to mentor and support the development of management skills of the VPSS.
Marketing / Partnership:
· Supervise the Marketing Manager
· Establish the vision, approach and goals for the Marketing area of the portfolio in conjunction with the Marketing Manager, General Manager and relevant staff.
· Utilize the Marketing Manager for the execution of the marketing of BUSU, its services, businesses, governance, and all other areas of the organization.
· Utilize the Partnership Manager for the execution of the partnership needs of BUSU, its services, businesses, governance, and all other areas of the organization.
· Provide mid-year and annual reviews for the full-time staff in the Marketing/Partnership portfolio.
· Assist in the hiring of all relevant marketing staff
· Establish the annual BUSU marketing budget in conjunction with relevant staff.
· Establish the annual BUSU partnership budget in conjunction with relevant staff.
Events / Programming:
· Establish the vision, approach and goals for the Event/Programming area of the portfolio in conjunction with the Programmer, Executive, General Manager and relevant staff.
· Provide mid-year and annual reviews for the full-time staff in the Event/Programming portfolio.
· Hire, in conjunction with the VPSS all relevant student staff in conjunction with the VPSS
· Be the direct and sole supervisor of the full-time Programming and Events Manager.
· Provide support for the Programmer & Events Manager during negotiations, execution of large bookings and supervision of the Programmers student staff.
· Establish the annual BUSU Events/Programming budget in conjunction with relevant staff.
· Ensure that all risk management, insurance, liability and contracts have been reviewed, vetted through the General Manager and are executed accurately.
Clubs:
· Establish the vision, approach and goals for the Club area of the portfolio in conjunction with Executive, General Manager and relevant staff.
· Utilize the Club Manager for the execution of the Clubs portfolio of BUSU.
· Hire, in conjunction with the VPSS all relevant student staff in conjunction with the VPSS
· Provide supervision support for all student staff in the Clubs Portfolio
· Establish the annual BUSU Clubs budget in accordance with the Clubs Levy regulations and in conjunction with relevant staff.
· Ensure that all risk management, insurance, liability and contracts have been reviewed, vetted through the General Manager and are executed accurately.
Services:
· Establish the vision, approach and goals for the Services area of the portfolio in conjunction with Executive, General Manager and relevant staff.
· Hire, in conjunction with the VPSS, all relevant Services staff including but not limited to Student Engagement Coordinator.
· Provide direct supervision for all student staff in the Services Portfolio.
Finances:
· Provide support for the General Manager and VPSS on the organizations finances as they relate to the Student Service portfolio.
· Assist in the forecasting and projections of budgets, expense vs. revenue and quarterly reports for the GM and VPFA
· Provide support for the Marketing Manager, Programming and Events Manager as well as the Clubs Manager in forecasting and predicting labour budgets as well as training costs.
· Provide updates to the GM, VPSS and VPFA on post event financial matters
· Provide updates on potential financial exposure areas before, during and after events.
SECTION 2: QUALIFICATIONS
· Must have a minimum of 3 years of direct supervision experience in a management capacity.
· Must have strong working knowledge of the PSE sector.
· Must have a minimum 3 years of in-depth experience working with budgets and have been fiscally responsible for a diverse and fluid portfolio.
· Well-developed leadership skills.
· Must be able to navigate a highly political environment while remaining A-Political.
· Strong customer service skills.
· Strong organizational skills.
· Ability to handle stress and make quick strategic decisions in times of adversity.
· Strong professional presentation skills.
· Proven experience in public relations, working with community partners and University stakeholders.
· Proven ability to mentor and guide young adults.
· Must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
· Working knowledge of BUSU services and operations.
· Must have completed a minimum undergraduate degree/diploma. Preferably in an area leadership, productivity, event management, marketing, management, not-for-profit management or similar.
· Must be able to travel/attend a minimum of 2 conferences/retreats each year.
SECTION 3: HUMAN RELATION SKILLS, PROBLEM SOLVING AND ACCOUNTABILITY
· Ability to work with young adults that are in a position of authority.
· Ability to provide strategic direction for a multi-faceted organization and portfolio.
· Constant contact with Student Executives, General Manager and other Senior Managers.
SECTION 4: WORKING CONDITIONS
PHYSICAL EFFORT
This job requires the incumbent to be on their feet the majority of their shift. It involves standing and walking for extended periods of time.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
This job requires some physical effort such as move materials, supplies, light lifting and working on their feet at times.
SENSORY ATTENTION
Working with and communicating with students, staff and community members. Need to listen intently and to pay attention to body language when serving customers.
MENTAL STRESS
This position requires working in a fast paced environment and multi-tasking.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
Brock University Student Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code Brock University Student Union will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If selected to participate, please inform Human Resources of the nature of any accommodations(s) that you may require.