Director of Multicultural Affairs

Salary Grade

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $71,041 and $89,867, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Director of Multicultural Affairs reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Student and Family Connections. The director provides strategic and operational leadership for the Office of Multicultural Affairs and serves as a member of the Spartan Connections Hub leadership team. The director develops and oversees programs, services, and initiatives that support student engagement, connection, belonging, leadership development, and student success, with particular expertise in multicultural engagement and intercultural learning. The director provides leadership for initiatives that promote cultural awareness, cross-cultural understanding, respectful engagement across differences, community connection, and leadership development. This position advises and supports culturally based student organizations and develops opportunities for students to engage with a variety of perspectives, experiences, and communities.

The director is responsible for strategic planning, assessment, budget management, staff supervision, student advising, programming, partnerships, and institutional risk management. The director works with the Executive Director of the spartan connections hub to advance hub strategic priorities, cross-functional initiatives, major programming, budget planning, risk management, and support university-wide student engagement. The director is responsible for providing students with appropriate guidance and direction, clarifying expectations, redirecting students when necessary, and helping students understand and take responsibility for the impact and consequences of their decisions. The director assesses student needs and connects students with appropriate Case Western Reserve University resources or processes when additional support or intervention is needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead strategic planning and program development for Multicultural Affairs in alignment with university, Division of Student Affairs, Student and Family Connections, and spartan connections hub priorities. Serve as a member of the spartan connections hub leadership team and collaborate with the executive director on strategic priorities, cross-functional initiatives, and university-wide engagement. Establish departmental goals, outcomes, and assessment measures. Use student feedback, assessment data, and emerging trends to inform priorities and resource allocation. Collaborate with hub directors to develop coordinated programs, services, communications, and engagement opportunities. (20%)
• Develop programs and educational initiatives that strengthen cultural awareness, intercultural understanding, community engagement, and leadership development. Advise and support culturally based student organizations and student leaders. Provide students with guidance, direction, mentoring, and referrals related to engagement, leadership, community concerns, and university resources. Communicate expectations clearly and redirect students when appropriate. Help students understand the impact and consequences of their decisions and responsibilities. Address student concerns using sound professional judgment and determine when referral or escalation is appropriate. Serve as a resource for intercultural dialogue, respectful engagement, and constructive communication across differences. (20%)
• Develop and oversee multicultural programs, educational initiatives, leadership opportunities, and community-building experiences. Support and contribute to large-scale university programs, traditions, and engagement initiatives. Collaborate with the spartan connections hub and campus partners to develop programs that promote student connection, institutional pride, and community. Ensure programs and events are appropriately planned, staffed, assessed, and aligned with university policies and expectations. Engage faculty, staff, alumni, community leaders, and other partners as appropriate to support programming and student development. (15%)
• Develop and manage the office of multicultural affairs operating budget. Monitor expenditures, forecasts, contracts, and fiscal compliance. Provide timely budget and operational information to the associate vice president. Pursue and manage appropriate grants, sponsorships, and external funding opportunities. Align resources with departmental goals, student needs, assessment outcomes, and institutional priorities. Provide appropriate fiscal oversight and guidance to culturally based student organizations and affiliated groups. Identify and appropriately escalate student, organizational, event, and programmatic risks. Partners with Public Safety, General Counsel, Student Conduct, Risk Management, and other appropriate offices, when concerns arise. Ensure programs, contracts, and activities comply with university policies and procedures. (20%)
• Recruit, train, supervise, develop, and evaluate assigned professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees. Establish performance expectations and address performance concerns appropriately. Develop staff capacity in student advising, conflict management, difficult conversations, accountability, and referrals. Assess programs and services and use results to improve effectiveness. Develop effective communication, marketing, and outreach strategies for Multicultural Affairs. Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications and Student Affairs communications partners on major initiatives. (15%)
• Represent, the Office of Multicultural Affairs on university committees, task forces, and initiatives. Build effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, families, alumni, community organizations, and other partners. Collaborate with academic and administrative units to support student success and community engagement. Serve as a university resource regarding multicultural engagement, intercultural learning, and student community-building. Collaborate with hub directors to maximize resources and create coordinated student experiences. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with multicultural affairs staff, student employees, graduate assistants, students, and student organizations regarding multicultural affairs operations.

University: Regular contact with the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Student and Family Connections; Executive Director of the Spartan Connections Hub; Student Affairs leadership and staff; Housing and Residence Life; International Student Resources and Engagement; Student Activities and Leadership; Graduate Student Life; Greek Life; University Health and Counseling Services; Financial Aid; Public Safety; Human Resources; University Marketing and Communications; General Counsel; and other campus partners regarding multicultural affairs operations.

External: Regular or occasional contact with alumni, community organizations, corporate and foundation partners, vendors, contractors, local organizations, parents, and family members regarding multicultural affairs activities.

Students: Daily contact with students and student organizations through advising, mentoring, programming, leadership development, consultation, problem-solving, accountability conversations, and referrals.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Direct supervision of the Associate Director. Indirect supervision of the Assistant Director, graduate assistants and student employees. Establish performance expectations, evaluate performance, develop employees, and address performance concerns in accordance with university policies and Human Resources practices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 8 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, student affairs, multicultural affairs, student engagement, leadership development, community engagement, or a related field required. Supervisory, budget management, student advising, program development, and organizational leadership experience required.

Education: Masters degree required in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Education, Counseling, Social Work, Public Administration, or related field required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strategic planning and organizational leadership.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in multicultural affairs, intercultural engagement, student development, and community building.

• Student advising and student organization development.

• Ability to provide students with direction, guidance, and appropriate accountability.

• Ability to communicate expectations, redirect students when necessary, and help students understand the impact of their decisions.

• Strong conflict resolution and difficult-conversation skills.

• Sound judgment and ability to identify and appropriately escalate risk.

• Budget and fiscal management.

• Large-scale event and program management.

• Staff supervision, coaching, and performance management.

• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Assessment and data-informed decision-making.

• Ability to build effective partnerships across academic and administrative units.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

• Ability to work effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and identities.

• Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.

• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

• Ability to meet consistent attendance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment. Regular interaction with graduate students, student organizations, faculty, staff, university leadership, and campus partners. This position requires regular movement between campus locations and participation in programs and events. This position requires a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, particularly during major university programs, traditions, student events, and peak periods of graduate student engagement. Some local, regional, and national travel may be required.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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