Director, University Center and Events Center

Director, University Center and Events Center

The Director of the University Center (UCen) and Events Center (ECen) at UC Santa Barbara is a senior administrative role with broad responsibilities and authority for making decisions. The position reports to the Senior Executive Director for Auxiliary Services in Housing, Dining & Auxiliary Enterprises (HDAE), and works in close consultation with the UCen Governance Board and ECen Governance Board, which includes significant student representation. The Director also works closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor of HDAE on issues which impact the campus. The Director provides strategic leadership, vision, and support for the University Center, UC Santa Barbara's primary student union. The University Center is home to more than 2,500 conference and meeting reservations with over 170,000 people in attendance. Daily, over 11,000 campus visitors, students, faculty, and staff visit the UCen to eat, drink, shop, study or attend a meeting or event. The Director also leads operations at the Events Center (the Thunderdome), a 6,000 seat arena that hosts Intercollegiate Athletics events, a vibrant Department of Recreation intramural program, major concerts and large scale campus events.

The Director of the University Center and Events Center manages a multi-million dollar budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and replenishment of reserves for future and capital projects. Responsible for policy and procedure implementation, employee management and development, marketing and public relations, strategic planning for facility improvements, sustainability initiatives, and the evolution of student services to meet changing campus needs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training
• 7+ years of progressive leadership/professional management experience, preferably in a college or university setting
• 5+ years of experience in management of student union facilities or equivalent student-centered facility
• Exhibit leadership competencies including business acumen, innovation management, interpersonal savvy, organizational and strategic agility, and vision management.
• Skilled at collaborating with a variety of constituents including faculty, staff, students, visitors and vendors to work towards shared goals supporting the mission, vision, goals and objectives of the campus.
• Able to translate physical plant knowledge into efficient solutions for delivering quality service and effective business solutions.
• Able to plan for facility development
• Able to provide leadership in the development of long-term planning strategies.
• Knowledge of student engagement principles and ability to work collaboratively with student leaders.
• Skills in monitoring/assessing people, processes or services, to make improvements.
• Demonstrated ability in working constructively with a diverse and culturally pluralistic student body, staff, and community clientele.
• Able to successfully lead, direct, mentor, evaluate and motivate staff utilizing clear and effective interpersonal skills, providing mentorship and demonstrating solid leadership and problem solving skills.
• Advanced skills in building team customer service orientation, management, sound judgement making, innovative thinking, and creative problem solving in a varied and challenging environment.
• Able to establish priorities, perform effectively under pressure, and complete projects on time.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in related area
• 3-5 years of experience working with a campus-based auxiliary services program at an intermediate or senior level.

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• University Center Management - 50%
• Finance/Financial & Capital Planning - 35%
• Events Center Management - 15%

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.