Senior Director of University Unions

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number S07243P Position Title Senior Director of University Unions Functional Title Senior Director of University Unions Department Student Union Salary Range $100,000 - DOQ Pay Basis Monthly Position Status Regular full-time Location Richardson Position End Date (if temporary) Posting Open Date 09/16/2026 Posting Close Date 09/30/2026 Open Until Filled No Desired Start Date 12/01/2026 Job Summary

The Senior Director of University Unions provides visionary leadership and strategic oversight for the administration, operations, and programs of the University Unions. This position leads the planning, development, implementation, and assessment of facilities, services, and initiatives that support and enhance the holistic student experience and the broader UT Dallas community.

This role is responsible for setting and upholding high standards of excellence in the areas of policy implementation, delivery of quality services, revenue generation, assessment, facility maintenance and renovation, and student development. As a highly visible campus leader, this individual plays a key role in fostering collaboration and alignment within the Division of Student Affairs and across the university.

This position is also responsible for the comprehensive fiscal management of a complex departmental budget exceeding $5 million, including the development and execution of sound financial strategies that ensure sustainability and growth.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree with ten years of work experience in related field.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's degree in public affairs, higher education administration, college student personnel, or other relevant academic concentrations
• 10+ years of professional experience in a higher education environment
• 6+ years of directly supervising professional staff members
• 6+ years of experience with budget creation and implementation
• 8+ years of experience managing operations of multiple large facilities in a college environment

Other Qualifications

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Perform comprehensive administrative and supervisory oversight for all University Unions facilities, programs, and services, representing an annual operation exceeding $5 million across approximately 13 cost centers funded by three distinct student fees.
• Facilitate the hiring, training, and management of professional employees with general supervision of full-time staff and student employees in three different areas.
• Ensure that the more than 7,000 annual events and programs scheduled through University Unions reservations meet the expectations and needs of the university community.
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance in the following areas: University Unions operations and event services, reservations, student life programs (SUAAB), gaming & esports, revenue generation, facility maintenance, repair and replacement (R&R), budgeting, information technology (IT), capital construction, long-term planning, and assessment.
• Oversee safety initiatives for over 200 current professional staff (and 200 additional new union and success center staff) that work within the Student Union, Student Services Building, and Student Services Addition, ensuring regular communication, training, drills, and the Office Suite Monitor program.

Facility Operations:

• Lead planning for facility and operational improvements, including major repairs and construction, renovations, and coordinate university partnerships for the successful opening of the Student Union-Student Success Center in January 2027.
• Supervise the following University Unions controlled facilities: Student Union (120,000 sq. ft.), Student Union-Student Success Center (369,000 sq. ft.), Student Services Building (70,000 sq. ft.), Student Services Addition (70,000 sq. ft.), and Comets LANding Gaming and Esports Center (15,000 sq. ft.). Additional outdoor locations such as the Margaret McDermott Mall, Chess Plaza, and the SU Green, along with significant outdoor space connected to the Student Union-Student Success Center; totaling approximately 644,000+ square feet.
• Collaborate closely with campus partners, including (but not limited to) the Office of Budget and Finance, Procurement Services, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Risk Management, the Offices of Undergraduate and Graduate Education, Provost's Office, and Student Affairs.
• Serve as an active member of the Division of Student Affairs Leadership Team and Dean of Students Board of Directors, contributing to divisional and institutional initiatives and policy development.
• Advance university and divisional strategic goals related to student engagement, belonging, and retention.

Student Engagement:

• Provide leadership, direction, and general supervision to the Gaming & Esports Program, which consists of a robust competitive esports program, along with the oversight of a 15,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art gaming and esports center.
• Oversee the Student Union Activities and Advisory Board (SUAAB), which coordinates over 50 campus programs annually.
• Provide executive oversight of the STELLAR Student Employee Initiative, in collaboration with the University Career Center, to enhance the professional development of Student Union employees. This initiative ensures student employees engage in meaningful career development experiences, gain transferable career-readiness competencies, and can effectively articulate those skills in future professional contexts. These efforts will extend to all additional student employees hired for the forthcoming Student Union-Student Success Center.
• Work with registered student organizations and sponsored student groups to promote event planning, engagement, and success within University Union spaces.
• Attend various student organization functions, campus programs, and division and other meetings that pertain to the mission and operation of the University Unions department and division of Student Affairs.
• Maintain active dialogue with students and staff, applying a student development lens to decision-making while positively promoting the image of the department, division, and university.

Fiduciary Responsibilities:

• Prepare and administer the annual operating budget. Authorize expenditures of departmental funds and other funds across student fees accounts and self-generated revenue streams totaling $2-3 million in non-salary expenditures annually.
• Lead efforts to secure sponsorships, partnerships, and donor contributions to advance priorities for the department and Division of Student Affairs. This includes solicitation, engagement, and converting of internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Serve as a lead delegate for the Dean of Students in the implementation and enforcement surrounding free speech and expression policies.

• Work with various campus stakeholders to apply interpretations to various violation scenarios

• Attend scheduled events and activism activities to ensure safety and student awareness of potential policy violations

• Monitor annual University Commencement Ceremony and semesterly Graduation Ceremonies for policy compliance

• Serve on the Speech and Expression Resource Team (SERT) through the DOS which is responsible for providing education and direction to students who are participating in expressive activities

• Represent University Unions and Student Affairs on standing university committees such as the Accessibility Committee, Auxiliary Services Committee, University Facilities Committee, University Safety Committee, and ad-hoc executive planning committees for large campus events such as Homecoming, Commencement After-Party, and Weeks of Welcome.

• Continue to position the University Unions department as the "pulse of campus", leading event planning and campus community engagement efforts.

• Collaborate with division leadership on assessment and marketing strategies to enhance visibility and impact.

• Lead emergency response and critical incident planning, including drills and staff preparedness initiatives.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions Physical Activities Working Conditions Additional Information

Preference may be given to internal candidates.

Standard working hours for this position will be 8am-5pm Monday - Friday with occasional night and weekend obligations.

Remote Work Notice:

After the probationary period, this role may be eligible for a hybrid (partly remote/mostly in office) work schedule, subject to business need and manager approval. Must be located within the DFW Area and have the ability to be on campus with 24 hours of notice. A UT Dallas Remote Work Agreement will be required within 14 days after approval.

What We Can Offer

UT Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer with an employee-friendly and supportive work environment. Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package that is effective as of your hire date includes:

• Competitive Salary
• Tuition Benefits
• Internal Training
• BCBS PPO Medical insurance - 100% paid for full-time employees
• PPO and DHMO Dental Insurance Plan - PPO plans include ortho benefits
• Vision Insurance
• Long and short-term disability
• TRS Retirement Plan - defined benefit plan offering lifetime annuity upon retirement
• Voluntary Retirement Plan Options - additional savings opportunities with Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plans and Deferred Compensation Plans
• Dental/Vision/AD&D
• Paid time off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Winter Break
• Fertility Benefits
• Remote Work Options - approved by department

All UT Dallas employees have access to various professional development opportunities, including a membership to Academic Impressions, LinkedIn Learning, and UT Dallas Bright Leaders Program.

Visit https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/ for more information.

If you are looking for a rewarding career opportunity with great benefits? Look no further! Join our team!

Special Instructions Summary Important Message

1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.

2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

• Veteran Employment Preference - Form DD-214