Program Manager I, Student Life

Mission Driven, Community Focused About | Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (cdrewu.edu)

Charles R. Drew University is located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles and was founded in 1966 in the wake of the Watts uprising. CDU was founded to address inadequate medical care in the region and to provide equitable medical education opportunities for underrepresented students.

CDU is strongly invested in the local and regional community. The university leads multiple partnerships and programs to provide equitable healthcare resources in a variety of South Los Angeles neighborhoods.

Summary

The Student Life Program Manager leads programs, services, and initiatives that support student engagement, well-being, and community development while also managing the operational systems that keep student-life functions running smoothly. This role combines program leadership, staff supervision, facilities coordination, and administrative operations to ensure a high-quality student experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Student Engagement & Community Development

• Develop, implement, and evaluate student life programs, events, and initiatives that promote belonging, leadership, and holistic development.
• Assist Student Engagement Coordinator with advising student organizations, clubs, and student leaders; ensure compliance with institutional policies.
• Coordinate new student orientation, support services, welcome events, engagement activities, and act as the main point of contact for student issues.
• Support student well-being through proactive outreach and connection to campus resources.
• Provide guidance to student organizations and create initiatives to improve student satisfaction and retention.

Operations & Administrative Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Student Life office, including scheduling, communications, and workflow management.
• Manage operational processes such as event approvals, space reservations, risk management, and student organization documentation.
• Maintain accurate records, databases, and reporting systems for student involvement and program outcomes
• Monitor student-facing spaces (student lounge and pantry) to ensure they are safe, functional, and welcoming.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise student staff, interns, and student ambassadors; provide training, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Collaborate with academic departments, student services, and campus partners to strengthen the student experience.
• Participate in committees, working groups, and strategic planning efforts.

Resource Management

• Oversee purchasing, reimbursements, and financial tracking for student organizations.

• Identify opportunities for resource optimization and cost-effective programming.

• Prepares and processes disbursements and related requests, including eRequester transactions.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS (IF APPLICABLE):

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

• At least 3 years of experience coordinating educational programs and activities in a higher education institution, supporting leaders, executives, or managers.
• One (1) year as an Executive Secretary preferred.
• Experience in the coordination of staff and students, including experience working in conjunction with HR. Also strongly prefer experience working with diverse partners and cultural sensitivity.
• Experience with interpreting operating policies and procedures and resolving minor discipline and other employee relations issues within an academic setting or institution.

KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY/SKILLS:

• Must be able to work on multiple tasks simultaneously and have strong time management skills.
• Must have strong organizational skills, be detail-oriented, and can work collaboratively on administrative, and community-partnered teams.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships in complex program/organizational settings involving heterogeneous constituents such as academic and clinical faculty, staff, students, and community partners from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Prefer basic/working knowledge of the Spanish language.
• Proficient in Microsoft Applications, including but not limited to Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Ability to apply a high degree of judgment, description, and initiative in coordinating activities/student events.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication, and computer skills are required.
• Initiative to seek alternative approaches to solutions.

Compensation:

• $73,734 – $80,000 annual

Position Status:

• Full-Time, Exempt

COMPLEXITY:

• The ability to perform highly detailed work with sustained attention and care while providing/obtaining information on numerous inquiries is paramount to success in this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Occasional stooping. Frequent standing. Constant walking, sitting, climbing, reaching high/low levels, finger movement, feeling, speaking clearly, hearing conversationally, and seeing far and near.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Position is on-site unless specific authorization is obtained from the manager.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Occasionally required to work in confined spaces.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

• The mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent variety of unrelated tasks. Constant calculating, interrupted work, a variety of interrelated tasks, and use of sustained concentration, reasoning, judgment, resourcefulness, analytical ability, and ingenuity.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community.
• As a health professions institution of higher education, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science seeks to protect the health and safety of the University community. As a condition of enrollment and employment, students, faculty, and staff must comply with the current CDU COVID-19 requirements as described on the CDU COVID-19 webpage. Please visit the CDU Return to Campus website or email the Campus Nursing Office at View email address on click.appcast.io.

EEO Statement: Charles R. Drew University is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicants will be considered without regard to gender, race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability or covered veteran status.

Fair Chance Statement: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local “Fair Chance” laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer


This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.