Director of Military Student Engagement and Strategic Initiatives

PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical Wesleyan tradition offering quality undergraduate graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant Christian environment where minds are engaged and challenged character is modeled and formed and service is an expression of faith. PLNU is an institution that is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of Gods kingdom. We therefore encourage applications from culturally diverse candidates.

Benefits:

We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health dental tuition benefits for employees and dependents competitive retirement matching vacation and sick time and 15 paid holidays per addition we have many opportunities to engage with our community including staff chapel and a robust wellness program.

Job Summary:

The Director of Military Student Engagement and Strategic Initiatives serves as the universitys lead strategist advocate and connector for all military-affiliated students across undergraduate graduate and adult learner populations. Reporting to university leadership this role is responsible for creating and executing a vision of military-connected student success through purposeful engagement community building and external partnerships. While this position is housed in Graduate and Professional Studies the position serves all three student populations (Graduate Accelerated Undergraduate and Traditional Undergraduate).

Guided by a commitment to belonging and holistic student development the Director builds programs that foster retention leadership and identity for military-connected students including active-duty personnel veterans dependents spouses reservists ROTC members and tuition assistance recipients. The Director also plays a pivotal role in expanding PLNUs visibility and presence through military outreach community engagement and recruitment support initiatives.

At PLNU you wont just be joining a role; youll be joining a team. The Graduate and Professional Studies division is a highly collaborative agile and resilient group of professionals who embrace change as a pathway to growth. We lead with a posture of collaboration learning excellence and humility seeking to honor God in all that we do. This role offers not only the opportunity to impact the lives of military-connected students but also to grow personally and professionally. Youll find ongoing support for development upskilling and leadership refinement. All within a culture grounded in purpose faith and service.

If youre looking for a place where you can make an impact and grow with a team that truly cares youll feel right at home here.

Salary:
Pay range $70304 - $75000 per year
Actual salary offered is determined by the candidates experience education skills and other factors including internal equity and university funding resources.


Internal Classification: Career Track - Professional Job Level - 3

Job Status:

Full time

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Job Description:

Responsibilities

• Student Engagement & Belonging

  • Design implement and maintain strategic initiatives that promote a strong sense of belonging leadership and personal development among military-connected students.

  • Create and lead programs workshops and events that foster academic success social integration and career readiness.

  • Build intentional engagement strategies for key populations (veterans active duty dependents spouses reserve and ROTC).

  • Support the development and leadership of student groups such as the Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter.

  • Partner with campus departments (e.g. Wellness Residence Life Spiritual Development) to support the holistic development of military-connected students.

  • Track and assess student engagement outcomes related to retention satisfaction and leadership involvement.

  • Represents and advocates on behalf of military-connected students throughout the university community.

• Strategic Outreach & Partnerships

  • Serve as the universitys representative to military-connected communities building strong relationships with base education offices community organizations and regional military support groups.

  • Collaborate with Marketing Enrollment and Advancement to create outreach campaigns and promotional materials that enhance awareness of PLNUs military programs.

  • Lead or support development of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with key military partners.

  • Identify and attend military education fairs veteran career expos and community events to increase recruitment pipelines and elevate brand visibility.

  • Host signature military-focused events and recognition ceremonies on and off campus.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Strategic Initiatives

  • Act as a subject matter resource for military culture student transition challenges and best practices in supporting military-affiliated learners.

  • Develop and implement strategic plans that align with institutional goals and the evolving needs of military-connected students.

  • Collaborate with Student Financial Services to ensure smooth transitions for students navigating benefits even though direct compliance responsibilities reside outside this role.

  • Collaborate with Student Success Records and Advising to ensure accurate academic advising to align with veteran benefits even though direct responsibilities reside outside this role.

  • Participate in institutional committees and initiatives focused on student success diversity and inclusion or community partnerships.

  • Provide recommendations and feedback on evolving team structure systems and operational needs as the department continues to grow and refine.

  • Implement and provide leadership to a Military-affiliated Advisory Board.

Qualifications & Leadership Attributes

• Required Education: Masters degree in higher education student affairs counseling public administration or related field.

• Preferred Experience: Military service (veteran or active duty) plus prior experience in higher education leadership or student engagement.

• Proven experience in developing and executing strategic initiatives.

• Demonstrated understanding of military culture challenges and educational pathways.

• Exceptional interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.

• High emotional intelligence professionalism and discretion in handling student matters.

• Ability to thrive in a cross-functional environment working collaboratively across departments and with external partners.

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

• High level of personal integrity reliability and commitment to results.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM tools; comfort working with data to drive strategy.

• Evidence of Christian commitment and active church addition staff agree to live in agreement with PLNUs Community Life Covenant .

• The job offer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. PLNU will consider qualified applicants including those with criminal histories in a manner consistent with state and local Fair Chance laws.

Physical Requirements

• The work is primarily sedentary and may require sitting for extended periods of time.

• Use of computer equipment: computer keyboard mouse and monitor.

• Vision to read documents email and other correspondence and reports on paper and computer monitor.

• Ability to communicate effectively with others in person and by phone.

• Will also stand stoop push pull and lift up to 50 lbs throughout the day.

Additional Information

• Occasional evening or weekend work is required.

• Travel to local bases community colleges recruitment events and national conferences may be expected.

• Office location and presence are needed on multiple campuses.

• This position may supervise student workers or ambassadors as the department

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At PLNU we believe in pursuing calling together. Deep and meaningful relationships between students faculty and staff is vital in nurturing our shared community and expressing Gods love. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates to join us in empowering our students to reach their greatest personal spiritual and professional potential.

Point Loma Nazarene University does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin sex age disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies practices or procedures.

Required Experience:

Director