Assistant Director for Student Discipleship and Engagement

Position Details
Position Information Position Title Assistant Director for Student Discipleship and Engagement
Position Number S014PD
Branch Student Life (BR)
Division Student Life (DIV)
Department Student Leadership & Engagement
Location Jackson
FLSA Exempt
Job Summary Union University's Office of Student Discipleship and Engagement (SD&E) is hiring two full-time, 12‑month Assistant Directors. These positions report to the Executive Director for Student Discipleship and Engagement within the Division of Student Life and work with the SD&E Team which includes a Director for Student Discipleship and Engagement, an Assistant Director for Campus Ministry and Women's Discipleship and an Assistant Director for Campus Ministry and Men's Discipleship. The Assistant Directors provide leadership in student discipleship, mentoring, and engagement, and oversee key student programs such as new student orientation, student government, student activities, Greek Life, and student organizations. Each Assistant Director will be assigned a specific portfolio of programs based on their experience, skills, and interests. The Division of Student Life seeks to foster an intentional campus community focused on integrating Christian faith, living, and learning. The Office of Student Discipleship and Engagement aims to meet students where they are by providing a grace‑infused student experience that fosters Christ‑centered formation. SD&E oversees many university programs, including New Student Orientation, Welcome Week, Life Groups, GO Trips, the Student Government Association, Student Activities Council, Greek Life, and other institutional programs. While the office manages a wide range of initiatives, its primary purpose is to invest in students' growth through mentoring and discipling, helping them integrate their Christian faith with their leadership skills and abilities, with special attention to character development. About Union University Founded in 1823, Union University is a private, coeducational liberal arts-based university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, with a total enrollment of about 2,600. The main campus is located in Jackson, Tenn., with additional campuses in Germantown and Hendersonville. A national leader among colleges and universities in promoting a Christian worldview and a Christ-centered approach to education, Union is consistently ranked among the nation's premier Christian universities. Essential Job Duties The Assistant Directors play a vital role within the SD&E team by:
Mentoring and discipling students in their spiritual, personal, and leadership development.
Providing leadership for multiple student programs and student leaders.
Planning and implementing high‑impact events and initiatives that contribute to a Christ‑centered campus culture.
Collaborating with campus partners to support student success and engagement. These positions offer a significant opportunity for professional growth and leadership development while providing meaningful mentorship and guidance to students. Essential Responsibilities (All Assistant Directors)
Student Mentoring and Wellbeing
Develop strong relationships with students across campus by being visibly present, meeting regularly with students, and attending campus events and functions.
Advise and counsel students on areas such as adjusting to college life, Christian growth, clarification of values, lifestyle choices, relationships, and overall personal growth.
Be available to students who have concerns or problems, providing appropriate counseling, support, and referral services to campus resources (e.g., Counseling Services, Center for Academic Success, Financial Planning, University Ministries, Health Services).
Administer intrusive care and follow up with students in need when situations warrant.
Leadership Development Programs
Oversee the ongoing development and implementation of leadership training programs for student leaders.
Design and facilitate leadership development resources and training for students across disciplines and campus departments.
Equip student leaders to integrate their Christian faith with their leadership responsibilities.
New Student Experience
Work closely with the Executive Director to design and implement an orientation experience that prioritizes the transition of new students to campus (New Student Orientation and Welcome Week).
Assist in all aspects of Summer and Spring Orientations and Welcome Week, including planning, logistics, and execution.
Collaborate with campus partners to shape the Orientation and Welcome Week schedule and ensure a welcoming, Christ‑centered introduction to Union. Potential Program Leadership Areas
(Assigned based on candidate skills, experience, and interests. Each Assistant Director will lead three to four of the following program areas.) New Student Experience / Welcome Week
Create a Welcome Week experience that prioritizes a smooth and engaging transition for new students.
Recruit, train, and develop Welcome Week leaders and the Welcome Week Leadership Team, ensuring they are well prepared to lead and serve.
Collaborate with the Executive Director and other departments involved in Welcome Week to coordinate key events and logistics.
Provide overall leadership for the Spring Orientation schedule and related transition programs.
Student Government Association (SGA)
Provide overall leadership for SGA, including guidance to the SGA Executive Council and Class Councils.
Oversee SGA events to ensure they are well planned, mission‑aligned, and effective in fostering student engagement.
Meet regularly (e.g., weekly) with the SGA Executive President and provide mentorship and support.
Manage SGA and Class Council budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.
Provide particular leadership for the Freshman Council by working with upperclassmen leaders to shape and develop council culture and initiatives.
Collaborate with the SGA President to appoint students to faculty committees.
Attend Student Senate meetings regularly and assist SGA Executive Officers in coordinating biweekly meetings.
Oversee SGA's major events, including Homecoming events such as Campus and Community Day, the Homecoming Cup, and Bulldog Olympics.
Coordinate student involvement in the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL).
Assist with SGA and Freshman Council retreats and leadership development opportunities.
Student Activities Council (SAC)
Lead and mentor the Student Activities Council Executive Council, including weekly meetings.
Participate in the selection process for new SAC members and provide guidance and support to the team.
Oversee SAC events and traditions to ensure high‑quality, engaging, and mission‑consistent programming.
Provide primary leadership for the annual Variety Show, a signature campus event.
Organize, promote, and evaluate monthly events and campus traditions that contribute to a vibrant student life experience.
Communications and Social Media
Develop and implement a communications plan for advertising SD&E events and programs.
Oversee SD&E's social media platforms and website content to ensure timely, accurate, and engaging communication.
Coordinate and/or produce a regular "What's Happening at Union This Week" message (e.g., video or digital communication) that highlights key institutional events and opportunities.
Collaborate with University Communications and other departments to ensure consistent messaging and branding.
Student Organizations
Serve as a resource and advisor to over 90 student organizations, supporting them in program planning and organizational development.
Facilitate effective communication between the SD&E office and student organizations.
Maintain rosters, records, and regular communication with organization leaders and advisors.
Review and approve student organization fundraisers, events, and T‑shirt or merchandise designs in accordance with university policies.
Assist students in the formation of new student organizations, including constitution development and approval processes.
Assist with the development and facilitation of training or workshops for student organization faculty/staff advisors.
Greek Life
Provide overall leadership for Greek Life at the university, in alignment with institutional policies and national organizational guidelines.
Review and approve Greek Life events, including dates, themes, chaperones, fundraisers, and related activities.
Oversee recruitment processes for fraternities and sororities, ensuring compliance with national organization expectations and university standards.
Coordinate Greek Week and other Greek community‑building events.
Collaborate with campus partners on Greek Life risk management, leadership development, and community service initiatives.
Panhellenic Advisor
Serve as the Panhellenic Advisor, providing leadership and guidance to the Panhellenic Council.
Coordinate and manage sorority recruitment events, including planning, training, and logistics.
Manage the Panhellenic budget and provide financial oversight.
Meet regularly with sorority presidents (e.g., monthly) and each semester with sorority scholastic chairs to support academic and organizational success.
Interfraternity Council (IFC) Advisor
Serve as the Interfraternity Council (IFC) Advisor, providing leadership and guidance to the IFC Council.
Coordinate and manage fraternity recruitment events, including planning, training, and logistics.
Manage the IFC budget and provide financial oversight.
Meet regularly with fraternity presidents (e.g., monthly) and each semester with fraternity scholastic chairs to support academic and organizational success. Other Job Duties Utilize campus databases and software programs to support programming, communication, and assessment.
Provide ongoing mentoring and discipleship to student leaders involved in SD&E programs.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director for Student Discipleship and Engagement. Required Qualifications Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree. Preferred Qualifications Preference will be given to applicants with a master's degree in higher education administration, college student affairs, college student development, or related field from an accredited institution. Experience with event planning in a college environment, marketing and promotion of programs, and budgeting is preferred. Christian Requirement Successful candidates must be professing Christians who are active members of a local church, enthusiastically support Union University's Identity, Mission, Core Values, and Statement of Faith, and articulate a Christian worldview in their work and life.
Posting Detail Information Posting Number S270P