Senior Director of Student Experience

Division of Student Development Basic Function and Responsibility: To provide leadership to the integrated and comprehensive student experience at Biola University from Welcome Day to commencement through excellence in strategic leadership of the operational and communication components of the co-curricular programs. Job Description: The Senior Director of Student Experience, reporting to the Dean of Community Life as a member of the Community Life department, will lead the comprehensive and integrated student experience for Biola students that includes the oversight of the university Welcome Day, lead the comprehensive communication plan for the curricular, co-curricular and operational student-facing programs and offices, and provide support for key Student Development programs designed to enhance the student experience. Alignment with Theological Positions The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola’s Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles and who is supportive of the positions taken by Biola as contained in its Eschatology Teaching Position. As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola. Responsibilities: Student Communications Leads the student communications plan by supporting Student Development leadership and other campus offices in the planning, developing, and deploying timely and relevant strategic communication targeting student audiences including current undergraduate, graduate students, and online students to help students navigate through their time at Biola and succeed in their college and career goals in support of Student Development’s co-curricular communication plan and objectives. Establishes and maintains efficient and effective methods for coordinating and tracking communications to the student body from Biola, ensures that messages are delivered to students in a timely and strategic manner and in keeping with the goals established by the Student Development Leadership Team. In collaboration with leaders from Operations, Advancement, and Enrollment, writes, edits and formats institutional messages for students and ensures that the content of internal messages aligns with the goals of the university’s efforts and keeps up on best practices, including innovative approaches to diverse communication strategies to students from varying generational backgrounds and experiences. Meets regularly with Student Development leadership and program planners to provide strategic insight, direction, support and to implement divisional communication plans. Maintains a pulse on the communication needs of students, undergraduate and graduate through bi-annual surveys, focus groups, etc. Creates and manages a content calendar for university student communication, annually. Responsible for tracking analytics on all recurring or seasonal messages, evaluating the effectiveness of student communication channels and campaigns on an annual basis in order to adjust ongoing efforts and strategies Utilize a variety of forms of communications to effectively communicate with current undergraduate and graduate students that ensures consistent, strategic, and timely delivery of messages, including: a) Digital communications, including the strategy, management, reviewing, and approving content on digital signs across campus, the student email CRM (Slate), the Biola mobile app, social media tools and other relevant technology. b) Written communications, including execute mass email communication targeting current undergraduate and graduate students in collaboration with all departments across campus, managing the content on the Student Life blog, the weekly Student Life Newsletter, coordinating film requests within the residence halls, poster review and approval to be displayed at designated areas on campus, and targeted communications to students on behalf of the institution when needed. Collaborates closely with a variety of campus departments and stakeholders on behalf of the students, including: a) Partners with IT for integrations, training and providing consultation to departments on CRM usage, as well as managing the vendor relationship. b) Serves on the leadership team for Biola’s Slate CRM as a content administrator. c) In collaboration with the Director of Campus Engagement, supervises all SD social media account managers and partners with the university social media manager to curate social media content targeting different student populations. d) Facilitating regular status meetings with key stakeholders across campus (i.e. Registrar, Student Accounts, Library, Financial Aid, Student Success, Auxiliary Services, etc.). e) Works closely with the Office of the Registrar, Student Accounts, and Academic Advising during the peak enrollment, registration, and commencement seasons to support their communication goals. f) Partners with co-curricular departments across campus to implement the communications plan designed to ensure student awareness, promote student engagement, and increase student sense of belonging. Serves on the crisis communication team and manages student communication. Serves as the advisor to the Biolan, the university yearbook, supervising the student staff responsible for the implementation of an annual artifact representing the student experience. Divisional Projects and Programs Lead the university Welcome Day, ensuring that the various offices and stakeholders within Biola University (Campus Engagement, Housing and Residence Life, Athletics, Spiritual Development, Admissions, Facilities, Event Services, and University Events) coordinate efforts to accomplish a welcoming, hospitable campus environment for the incoming students and their families. Lead the university Baccalaureate service, ensuring that the various offices and stakeholders within Biola University (Spiritual Development, the office of the President, the