Program Director of Social Impact and Communications

The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for a Program Director of Social Impact and Communications (Prog Dir I) position within the Center for the Common Good.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic.  This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees and dependents upon eligibility
• Up to 50% tuition remission for spouses upon eligibility
• A generous Employer retirement contribution of 9.4% of annual salary upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits

Salary Range: $74,465 - $82,000

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Director oversees the Center for Common Good’s curricular and co-curricular global community engagement programs, civic engagement efforts, public health volunteers, and manages the internal and outward-facing communication efforts for our key stakeholders. The Program Director regularly collaborates with external community partners to strengthen long-term, meaningful, and mutually beneficial relationships; convenes and facilitates students, staff, faculty and alumni learning; evaluates student learning and program impact. The Program Director ensures that best practices and current trends in the field of community engagement are implemented in their work.

This position leads the VISION program, developing local and global community engagement programming during J-term, spring break, and fall break while reviewing risk management. The Program Director fosters strong relationships with our national and international community partners. Additionally, the position mentors staff, advisors, and student leaders to create meaningful experiences and a community aligned with the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching. This position will oversee both restricted and unrestricted funds, managing the distribution of VISION Scholarships. The Program Director will need to travel locally and globally to vet new sites and be available during VISION trips.

The Program Director will oversee the staff responsibilities of CEVEA (civic engagement, voter education, and advocacy) and be part of the thought leadership on how to engage the UST campus community civically. The Associate Director will develop deep partnerships with CRS, Catholic Charities, the League of Women Voters, governmental partners, and other organizations deemed a mission match by CEVEA leadership.

This individual develops social media and communications strategies tailored to the department’s needs, evaluating success and engagement metrics to inform student retention efforts. The Program Director will also be responsible for updating the website, inputting content for annual reports, drafting or reviewing campus-wide communications, and maintaining the Center's presence on Salesforce.

The Program Director will supervise our Graduate Intern, who in turn oversees our public health volunteer program, global justice movement, and communication efforts. This position will report to the Director of Community Engagement within the Center for Common Good.

This position will have occasional night and weekend responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. VISION & Global Community Engagement Leadership

• Oversee the operations and budgets for the VISION Program by developing comprehensive and mutually beneficial community engagement opportunities. Cultivate sustainable relationships with campus partners as well as our international and national community partners. Train faculty, staff, and student-leaders on best practices and community-building techniques. Implement comprehensive risk management strategies aligned with university guidelines. Implements and facilitates student initiatives for social justice through programming and deep reflection that incorporate the themes of Catholic Social Teaching. Work strategically with donors, parents, students, and VISION alumni to strengthen scholarship opportunities. Support the Graduate Intern’s supervision of the Global Justice Initiative, a partnership with Catholic Relief Services.

2. Communication and Marketing Leadership

• Develop, implement, and manage communication strategies for the Center for the Common Good. Maintain the brand's reputation and expand the Center’s reach on social media platforms. Work closely with colleagues to co-create content that showcases the impact of the Center's programs and initiatives. Maintain and update the Center's internal and external website, create content for annual reports, draft and review campus-wide communications, and manage the Center's presence on Salesforce and OnceHub. This position will support The Office for Mission with social media guidance, content creation, and serve as our liaison with the MIC team.

3. Civic Engagement, Voter Education and Advocacy Leadership

• Co-chairs the university's CEVEA leadership working group to develop recommendations and evaluate existing policies and procedures. Ensures the university complies with Minnesota Statute 201.1611 by providing nonpartisan voter registration and civic education. Represents the University of St. Thomas to key external partners (Ramsey County, Secretary of State, local elected leaders) and other university-approved collaborators. Manage the CEVEA Faculty Ambassador Program, implement Voter Education Week, and support the Day at the Capitol efforts. Offer consultation and training to various campus constituents about civic engagement best practices. Collaborate with community partners to host workshops that equip students, faculty, and staff with dialogue skills to reduce polarization and foster a deeper understanding of diverse experiences. Co-author grants and supervise student interns.

4. Supervision of Graduate Intern & Center for Common Good Programs

• Directly supervise the Graduate Intern who oversees the public health volunteer program, global justice movement, and communication efforts. Conduct performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback. Ensure the effective operation of all Center for Common Good programs under their purview. Maintain strong relationships with our key hospital and clinic partners, as well as Catholic Relief Services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

• Five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in program administration

• Applicants must have a valid driver's license and, once approved, be willing to drive university fleet vehicles

• A DMV background check is required for this position

An equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been acquired may be

substituted.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.A. in Higher Education or related field

• Experience working in higher education

• Experience working with voluntary programs and/or non-profits

HOW TO APPLY

All interested candidates must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.

Official job posting is available at www.stthomas.edu/jobs.