Associate Vice President

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$170,000–$187,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Athletics, Background Investigation, Budgeting, Code of Federal Regulations, Communication Skills, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Disability Accommodations, Employee Benefits, Establish Priorities, Financial Management, Government, Higher Education, Leadership, Marketing, Marketing Communications, Mentoring, Organizational Skills, People Management, Program Evaluation, Project Tracking, Public Administration, Public Safety, Recreation, Revenue Growth, Scalable System Development, Staff Development, Stewardship, Strategic Planning, Student Financial Services, Student Housing, Sustainability, Team Player, Technical Strategy, Trend Analysis, University/School Governance, University/School Policies
LOCATION
Salt Lake City, UT
POSTED
2 days ago

Announcement

Details

Open Date 07/15/2026 Requisition Number PRN45659B Job Title Associate Vice President Working Title Asc Vice President for Student Engagement Career Progression Track EXE Track Level FLSA Code Executive Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Day Work Schedule Summary

Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; occasional weeknights and weekends

VP Area President Department 00298 - Student Development/Research Location Campus City Salt Lake City, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range $170,000 - $187,000 Close Date 10/14/2026 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) Job Summary

The University of Utah is seeking a student-centered, dedicated, experienced, innovative, and collaborative individual to serve as the Associate Vice President for Student Engagement. This newly aligned position supports student wellbeing and success by strategically advancing student engagement units, priorities, and outcomes.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs, this position serves as a key member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team as they support 20+ departments within the division of student affairs. Departments and centers currently within this position's portfolio include: The Associated Students of the University of Utah, Bennion Center for Community Engagement, Center for Community and Cultural Engagement, Dream Center, Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, Student Leadership and Involvement, and the A. Ray Olpin Union. Other departments that work closely with this leader include Fraternity & Sorority Life, Campus Recreation Services, Office of Residence Life, and the Student Experience Office.

Through adapting to evolving student needs and fostering transformative engagement experiences, this role directly contributes to division-wide goals of increasing student satisfaction, retention, and graduation among the university's 38,000+ students. At a time of growth, innovation, and opportunity, this is an exciting moment to join the University of Utah and make a lasting impact on the student experience.

About Student Affairs:

The Division of Student Affairs (https://studentaffairs.utah.edu/) is comprised of more than 20 departments dedicated to supporting student well-being, belonging, and success, with the goal of helping students discover their passion, people, and purpose. Guided by the Adapting to Student Needs Strategic Plan, Student Affairs prioritizes revitalizing student engagement and belonging while advancing initiatives related to signature campus events, engagement data collection, and collaborative marketing. The Associate Vice President for Student Engagement will play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing these efforts.

Responsibilities

  • Provide leadership and strategic oversight for a portfolio that currently includes Student Governance & Leadership, Bennion Center for Community Engagement, Center for Community & Cultural Engagement, Dream Center, Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, Student Leadership & Involvement, and the A. Ray Olpin Student Union.
  • Recruit, supervise, and evaluate director-level staff, ensuring alignment of unit goals with divisional and institutional priorities while fostering professional growth and accountability.
  • Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive, data-informed student engagement strategy that promotes connection, belonging, leadership, and overall student success throughout the university experience.
  • Oversee fiscal management of student engagement units, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources, development of increased revenue streams, and alignment of budgets with strategic priorities.
  • Build scalable models of student engagement to effectively serve an expanding and increasingly residential student population, ensuring resourcing, access, and sustainability in programs, facilities, and services.
  • Establish systems to collect, analyze, and interpret engagement data, leveraging technology to inform strategic planning, enhance assessment practices, and monitor trends in participation.
  • Partner with key campus and community stakeholders (e.g., Student Experience Office, Ute and Tribal Nations, Utah Pride Center, Office of General Counsel, Public Safety, Athletics, Residence Life, and University Marketing and Communications) to advance holistic and collaborative approaches to student engagement.
  • Track progress on divisional initiatives and institutional priorities, including advancing the Adapting to Student Needs Strategic Plan.
  • Represent the Division of Student Affairs at high-level meetings and committees, including university-wide working groups.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Master's degree in higher education, student affairs administration, counseling, public administration, or a related field required; doctorate preferred.
  • Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in student affairs, including direct staff supervision and program leadership.
  • Demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and assessing student engagement initiatives that enhance belonging, retention, and student success.
  • Experience supervising and mentoring professional staff, with a commitment to supporting staff development, accountability, and inclusive leadership practices.
  • Proven ability to analyze and apply data to strategic planning, program development, and assessment.
  • Excellent collaboration skills, with experience building partnerships across academic, administrative, and student organizations.
  • Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to represent student affairs at high levels of university governance and with community partners, donors, and government officials.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively serve students from a variety of backgrounds, enhancing a sense of belonging and community across the student body.

Preferences Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

Posting Specific Questions

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Applicant Documents

Required Documents

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • List of References

Optional Documents

About the Company

U

University of Utah

The state’s oldest and largest institution of higher education, the University of Utah is the flagship university of the state. The University offers more than 100 undergraduate and 90 graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students (23,500 undergraduate and 7,500 graduate). The University is noted for its high research profile, its diversity of ideas and people, its stunningly beautiful setting and the warmth, friendliness, and collegiality of its faculty staff, and students. Imagine yourself working in a collaborative, creative, respectful environment where everyone’s contribution is needed and appreciated – University of Utah!

COMPANY SIZE
1,500 to 1,999 employees
INDUSTRY
Education
FOUNDED
1850
WEBSITE
http://www.utah.edu/