Assistant Director of Leadership and Civic Engagement

General Description:

This position is a full-time 12-month Student Activity Fee funded, Administrator position reporting to the Director, Center of Student Engagement & Leadership Innovation.

The Assistant Director of Leadership & Civic Engagement supports and implements SUNY Niagara’s leadership development programs, civic engagement initiatives, community service opportunities, and volunteerism activities under the direction of the Director of Student Engagement & Leadership Innovation. The Assistant Director helps create a vibrant, inclusive, and student-centered environment that strengthens leadership capacity, civic identity, belonging, and community impact.

This role focuses on coordinating high-quality leadership education experiences; implementing civic learning and community service programming; liaising with community partners; supporting the Leadership Institute; and ensuring accessible, equity-centered leadership and service opportunities for commuter, residential, online, adult, and first-year students.

The Assistant Director collaborates with Athletics, the Student Housing Village, NFCI, Academic Affairs, Student Services, Career Services, Public Relations & Marketing, and the Assistant Director of Student Engagement & Experiences (AD-SEE). Strategic planning, policy formation, and final approval authority remain the responsibility of the Director.

Why This Role Stands Out

Be part of a transformational Student Life redesign at SUNY Niagara
Help build a model program that will influence community colleges across SUNY
Work in a highly collaborative, student-centered environment
Shape innovative programs that connect leadership, service, belonging, and student success
Opportunity to create, pilot, and scale new ideas with strong institutional support

SUNY Niagara provides phenomenal benefits to our employees. Please visit to view our benefits https://sunyniagara.edu/hr/benefits/ offerings. SUNY Niagara’s exceptional work environment fosters growth and personal fulfillment. As an employee, you can expect:

Work-Life Balance: When employees can balance their work and personal lives, they are happier, more productive, and better positioned to support our students. At SUNY Niagara, generous paid time off, holiday, and leave policies make this possible. Our college closes for winter break from late December through early January and a week in mid-March for spring recess. In the summer, employees observe a four-day workweek, allowing them to enjoy all that Western New York offers.

Professional Growth: SUNY Niagara cares about employees’ professional advancement and development. You will have access to ongoing training, programs, and workshops. We support career growth and encourage employees to pursue further education.

Welcoming Culture: SUNY Niagara values the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice as they create a sense of belonging for our students and employees. We foster a collaborative culture that respects and appreciates different perspectives, ideas, and backgrounds which contribute to the richness of our institution. We believe that our diverse, inclusive community enriches the experiences of students and employees alike.

Meaningful Work: At SUNY Niagara, your work will directly impact the lives of our students and the region we serve. Our college is for all who are passionate about teaching and focused on supporting students. Our small class sizes facilitate engagement. You will shape students’ futures, prepare them for successful careers, and empower them to contribute to society. Your dedication and expertise will propel students to achieve their educational goals.

Become part of an institution that values employees, positively impacts students’ lives, and invests in its community.

Essential Functions:

The Assistant Director must demonstrate strong organizational, interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills; the ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and community partners; and the capacity to coordinate leadership programs, civic engagement initiatives, and volunteer activities. The position requires sound judgment, professionalism, confidentiality, and initiative; knowledge of student development and civic engagement practices; proficiency with engagement software and assessment tools; and adherence to College and SUNY policies. The Assistant Director must be able to travel between SUNY Niagara locations and to community partner sites, support evening and weekend programming, and perform physical tasks related to program and service event setup.

Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Counseling, Student Development, Leadership Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
Three years of progressively responsible experience in leadership development, civic engagement, volunteer management, or student programming.
Experience designing and facilitating workshops, retreats, service-learning programs, or civic education experiences.
Experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting engagement data.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, facilitation, and communication skills.
Ability to work evenings and weekends, as required.