Assistant Director, Registered Student Organizations

About this role

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

Training & Development

Time Type: Full time Job Type: Regular FLSA Status: Exempt Work Modality:

Full On Campus Presence Union:

SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division.

Job Description:

Summary:

The Assistant Director, Recognized Student Organizations, is a live-on professional staff member that serves as a primary resource for student organization leaders navigating university policies, large scale programming, contracted services, funding processes, and organizational operations. This position provides leadership for student organization training and development efforts, oversees key administrative processes, and partners extensively with campus stakeholders to support safe, inclusive, and successful student engagement experiences.

The role requires strong student development and organizational leadership skills, as well as the ability to independently manage complex situations involving policy interpretation, event risk assessment, and institutional collaboration. Evening and weekend work throughout the academic year is required.

Essential Functions:

1.) Student Organization Advising, Leadership Development, and Policy Guidance • Provide strategic advising and leadership development support to recognized student organizations and student governance bodies, including the American University Club Council (AUCC). Advise AUCC and support student leaders in funding allocation processes and budget decision-making. Produce reports, assessment summaries, and recommendations related to student organization engagement, training outcomes, and operational effectiveness. Manage budgets and financial processes associated with assigned student organization areas and departmental initiatives, ensuring compliance with university policies and responsible stewardship of student activity fee resources.

• Lead the development, implementation, and assessment of comprehensive training initiatives for student organizations focused on risk management, inclusive leadership, complex event planning, financial processes, contracting, university policies, and organizational operations. Develop and maintain educational resources, procedures, and operational guidelines that align with institutional priorities and evolving campus needs, and support in the RSO Manual update process. Serve as the CSI Advisor for CSI recognized student organizations. Guide student leaders, advisors, and campus partners in organizational management, advocacy, event planning, financial stewardship, policy interpretation, and leadership transitions.

• Oversee student organization cohort office spaces. Represent the department on divisional and university committees and contribute to broader departmental initiatives, strategic planning, and campus engagement efforts.

2.) Complex Event Planning Oversight, and Coordination • Serve as the primary departmental lead for student organization complex events, including programs involving contracted services, external vendors, travel, outdoor spaces, elevated safety considerations, large attendance, or significant institutional coordination. Coordinate with Senior Associate Director as needed.

• Advise student leaders through all stages of event planning and implementation, including contract review and submission processes, risk mitigation strategies, logistical coordination, funding procedures, and compliance requirements. Collaborate closely with campus partners including Risk Management, AUPD, Facilities, Dining, Office of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices, Conference & Event Services, and other university offices to ensure safe and successful event execution.

• Attend and provide oversight for selected evening and weekend student organization events. Support crisis response, event troubleshooting, and decision-making related to student organization operations and programming.

• Supervise graduate assistant(s) and student staff as assigned.

3.) Engagement Platform and Organizational Process Management • Provide oversight and strategic management of the Student Engagement platform and student organization administrative processes, including event approvals, organization registration, annual renewal, documentation management, roster verification, and workflow implementation. Manage official RSO email accounts, including annual access updates. In consultation with Senior Associate Director, manage all RSO recognition processes, including annual renewal, new club recognition, and organizational transitions including the development of timelines, communications, compliance procedures, constitution and document review, advisor verification processes, and organizational eligibility review.

• Support major division and university-wide programs, including but not limited to, Commencement, Family Weekend, Summer Send-Offs, Move-In, New Student Orientation, Family and Supporters Orientation, Student Achievement Awards, and Eagles at Night. As a member of the Division of Student Affairs, this position may advise recognized student organizations as needed.

4.) Event Staffing, Support, and SAST Team Lead • As a live-on professional staff member, serves as a designated member of the Student Activism Support Team (SAST) and participates in an on-call rotation to support student activism, expressive activity, demonstration

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