Job Summary

Assistant Director Duties

Supervision

• Serve as the co-supervisor for the BNAACC Interns. Coordinate the recruitment, hiring, training, teaching, supervision, and evaluation of student interns.
• Provide professional learning experiences (leadership retreats/trainings) that enable student interns to develop the personal and professional skills needed to thrive in a diverse society.
• In the absence of the Director, the Associate Director may assume responsibility and provide management for BNAACC operations.
• Advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters (e.g. identity exploration) and provide appropriate recommendations and referrals.
• Determine appropriate course of action and proper technique to utilize while engaging with students in problem solving, professional boundaries, and conflict resolution skills.

Cultural Programming & Workshops

• Develop and lead culturally responsive, interdisciplinary programs that promote student success and global awareness.
• Design and facilitate workshops and training for students and campus stakeholders on equity, advocacy, and community engagement.
• Oversee Food For The Soul weekly lunch-and-learn sessions, creating programs that foster belonging and support diverse student experiences.
• Coordinate First Fridays, a monthly forum promoting wellness, creativity, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation.
• Chair the Black History Month Committee, managing the campus-wide calendar and guiding collaborative programming aligned with the national theme.
• Partner with La Casa Cultural Latina to co-advise the Black and Latinx Summit planning committee.
• Develop educationally transformative programs that result in awareness of and appreciation for the importance and intersectionality of Black cultures, global connectivity, and solidarity.

Support Where Black Media Lives (WBML)

• Assist with student recruitment and engagement for WBML initiatives.
• Help maintain connections with campus organizations and community partners under guidance from senior staff.
• Follow campus policies and broadcasting standards during production activities.
• Provide basic support for podcast development, such as organizing resources and scheduling.
• Participate in training sessions and help students learn podcasting basics.
• Offer ideas and light feedback on podcast concepts when requested.
• Assist with editing tasks and help ensure episodes meet quality standards.

Campus and Community Outreach & Engagement

• Advise and oversee the Shelley Ambassador Program, including recruiting, training, and managing a team of up to 30 student volunteers who assist with prospective and admitted student visits.
• Serve as BNAACC’s primary point of contact for outreach efforts; coordinate, organize, and attend campus resource fairs, off-campus presentations, and special weekend programs.
• Collaborate with the Admissions Office to plan and organize 2 Admitted Student Days that showcase BNAACC’s programs, resources, and impact.

Administrative

• Maintain and update BNAACC communications, including, but not limited to, the website, digital signage, and social media platforms.
• Collaborate with the main campus library to preserve documentation and digital archives showcasing the legacy of the Black community at Illinois (e.g., program flyers, marketing materials, photos, videos) within the university’s student life archives.
• Reconcile expenses and ensure accurate financial tracking for related programs and initiatives.
• Assist with semesterly reporting and provide data to support assessment and planning.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Associate Director Duties

Supervision

• Serve as the Co-supervisor for the BNAACC Interns. Coordinate the recruitment, hiring, training, teaching, supervision, and evaluation of student interns.
• Provide professional learning experiences (leadership retreats/trainings) that enable student interns to develop the personal and professional skills needed to thrive in a diverse society.
• In the absence of the Director, the Associate Director may assume responsibility and provide management for BNAACC operations.
• Advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters (e.g. identity exploration) and provide appropriate recommendations and referrals.
• Determine appropriate course of action and proper technique to utilize while engaging with students in problem solving, professional boundaries, and conflict resolution skills.

Cultural Programming & Workshops

• Develop and lead culturally responsive, interdisciplinary programs that promote student success and global awareness.
• Design and facilitate workshops and training for students and campus stakeholders on equity, advocacy, and community engagement.
• Oversee Food For The Soul weekly lunch-and-learn sessions, creating programs that foster belonging and support diverse student experiences.
• Coordinate First Fridays, a monthly forum promoting wellness, creativity, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation.
• Chair the Black History Month Committee, managing the campus-wide calendar and guiding collaborative programming aligned with the national theme.
• Partner with La Casa Cultural Latina to co-advise the Black and Latinx Summit planning committee.
• Develop educationally transformative programs that result in awareness of and appreciation for the importance and intersectionality of Black cultures, global connectivity, and solidarity.
  

Oversee Where Black Media Lives (WBML)

• Provide full oversight of student recruitment and engagement for WBML initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with campus organizations, local artists, and community leaders, serving as a liaison between BNAACC and the broader arts community.
• Ensure compliance with all campus policies and broadcasting standards throughout the production process.
• Secure necessary tools and resources to support every stage of podcast development, from concept to final production.
• Develop a podcasting curriculum and deliver training for students interested in hosting podcasts.
• Provide creative input and constructive feedback on podcast concepts, scripts, and production plans.
• Manage editing and ensure quality of final podcast episodes.

Campus and Community Outreach & Engagement

• Advise and oversee the Shelley Ambassador Program, including recruiting, training, and managing a team of up to 30 student volunteers who assist with prospective and admitted student visits.
• Serve as BNAACC’s primary point of contact for outreach efforts; coordinate, organize, and attend campus resource fairs, off-campus presentations, and special weekend programs.
• Collaborate with the Admissions Office to plan and organize 2 Admitted Student Days that showcase BNAACC’s programs, resources, and impact.
• Co-advise the affiliated RSO group (BLOC) and lead monthly meetings to support student engagement and organizational success.

Administrative

• Maintain and update BNAACC communications, including, but not limited to, the website, digital signage, and social media platforms.
• Collaborate with the main campus library to preserve documentation and digital archives showcasing the legacy of the Black community at Illinois (e.g., program flyers, marketing materials, photos, videos) within the university’s student life archives.
• Reconcile expenses and ensure accurate financial tracking for related programs and initiatives.
• Assist with semesterly reporting and provide data to support assessment and planning.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Physical Demands

Assistant Director - Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• A total of two (2) years (24 months) in education, training and/or work experience in cultural, social, educational and/or social justice programs focused on Black students, staff, and/or faculty.
• Demonstrated experience in arts education and administration, such as digital, auditory, visual, literary, and/or performing arts.
  

Assistant Director - Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience developing community and public outreach & engagement programs.
• Demonstrated success and ability to work/collaborate as a contributing member in a team-oriented environment with an understanding of the larger unit and University contexts. This includes collaborating with colleagues and non-University key partners.

Assistant Director - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent relationship building skills, as well as the desire and ability to motivate, mentor and encourage students.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cultural community care.
• Good independent judgment, initiative, and flexibility to adapt to students' and center's operational needs.
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy, problem-solving, professional boundaries, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to think creatively and show initiative to solve problems and improve working procedures.
• Specific knowledge (history, culture, identities, etc.) of Black communities.

Associate Director - Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training and/or work experience in cultural, social, educational and/or social justice programs focused on Black students, staff, and/or faculty.
• Demonstrated experience in arts education and administration, such as digital, auditory, visual, literary, and/or performing arts.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience providing staff training and leadership development.

Associate Director - Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, college student personnel, Media, the creative arts or related field.
  

Experience:

• Experience managing and/or creating media arts and associated trainings/curriculums.
• Comfort and familiarity of podcasting, streaming and on-demand listening.
• Basic knowledge of audio, including research and analytics.
• Experience developing community and public engagement programs.
• Demonstrated success and ability to work/collaborate as a contributing member in a team-oriented environment with an understanding of the larger unit and University contexts. This includes collaborating with colleagues and non-University key partners.
• Professional experience advising and creating leadership development opportunities for students and/or organizations.

Associate Director - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Creative with strong project and time management abilities, including the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent relationship building skills, as well as the desire and ability to motivate, mentor and encourage students.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cultural community care.
• Good independent judgment, initiative, and flexibility to adapt to students' and center operational needs.
• Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy, problem-solving, professional boundaries, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to think creatively and show initiative to solve problems and improve working procedures.
• Specific knowledge (history, culture, identities, etc.) of Black communities.