Director, University Student Centers (St. Petersburg campus)

The Director of University Student Centers at USF Saint Petersburg provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for two distinct student centers (University Student Center and Judy Genshaft Student Life Center) facilities serving a campus of approximately 4,500 students. This role ensures that both centers serve as vibrant hubs for student engagement, campus life, and community interaction. The Director is responsible for facilities management, event services, budgeting, staff supervision, and strategic planning aligned with institutional goals.

Responsibilities will include:

• Staffing and Budgeting
  • Supervise Asst. Director for Logistics, Asst. Director of Event Services, and oversight of: 1 Administrative Specialist, 2 Conference and Event Planners, and 30-35 student employees.
  • Responsible for all fiscal affairs including the direction, analysis and allocation of the operational budget, that is approximately $1.7M in activity and service fees, state funds and revenue generated from events and services. Provide budget and financial analysis and advice to the Regional Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Student Success.
  • Administer A&S fee and auxiliary budgets. Serve as liaison to student organizations, university departments, and external clients.
• Strategic Leadership and Planning
  • Develop and implement long-term strategic plans for both student centers. Lead the Student Center Advisory Board comprised of stakeholders reflecting a cross section of the campus community. 
  • Align operations with institutional priorities for student engagement, retention, and success. Lead assessment and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Facilities and Operations Management
  • Supervise Assistant Director of Logistics and ensure that both forecasting of facilities needs and improvements and daily management are excellent. 
  • Provide vision and co-develop strategies that improve the two facilities and their respective operations.
  • Oversee daily operations, maintenance, and capital planning for both student centers. Ensure safe, accessible, and welcoming environments. 
  • Serve on campus emergency management team, manage risk, emergency protocols, and compliance with university policies.
• Event Services and Reservations
  • Lead event management strategy across both facilities. Supervise Assistant Director of Event Services and ensure seamless coordination with campus partners (e.g., Facilities, Police, Catering). Oversee usage policies, reservation systems, and customer service standards.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualification:  Bachelor's degree -OR- equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Progressive leadership experience in a university student center, auxiliary services, facilities operations, campus activities, or a closely related higher education functional area.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex facilities operations, including oversight of multiple facilities, space utilization, maintenance coordination, capital planning, and risk management.
• Proven fiscal management experience, including responsibility for operational budgets funded by activity and service fees, auxiliary revenue, and state funds.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, evaluate, and develop professional staff and student employees in a service-oriented operational environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in event services, conference services, or reservations management, including oversight of scheduling systems, usage policies, and coordination with campus partners.
• Knowledge of campus safety, emergency management protocols, and compliance requirements within a higher education setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external constituents.

SB1310- Substitution of Work Experience for Post Secondary Education Requirements:

A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:

• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree

Related work experience may not substitute