Job Description

Division Name: Student Affairs
Department: Dean of Students

Job Summary

The Senior Coordinator leads, plans, develops, implements, and assesses major university-wide programs, including the university’s spring and winter commencement ceremonies and Family Weekend, under the direction of the Assistant Dean of Students and supervises a full-time Coordinator and student employees. This position coordinates programs relating to Parent and Family Services, which requires collaborating with numerous campus constituents – including Academic Affairs, Athletics, Facilities, the President’s Office, Student Affairs, and community organizations – while also completing detail-oriented planning, customer service, and data-driven tasks independently and with a high degree of accuracy. This position also collaborates with fellow Student Involvement Center staff on major projects and events, such as Welcome Week and Festival ISU/Winter Fest and the university’s student organization recruitment fairs. This position provides leadership and oversight for the Dean of Students Office event staff initiatives, including development, implementation, and compliance monitoring of staffing plans for major departmental programs and events.

Additional Information

University Benefit Highlights:

• Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
• Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
• Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
• Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
• Paid benefit time

For more University Benefit information: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/ 

Information regarding eligibility for participation in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/insurance/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$50,000 - $59,000 annual, in addition to an excellent benefits package

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's or equivalent degree in Hospitality, Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Business Administration, Student Affairs, or a closely related field
2. Minimum of three years of professional work experience in event management, customer service, business, communications, or related areas. This experience must include demonstrated success in fostering collaborative partnerships engaging diverse populations and managing sensitive situations with professionalism, conflict resolution skills, and a student-centered approach.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
4. Proficiency with data management software, such as Microsoft Excel

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Leadership, Communication, Marketing, or a closely related field
2. Experience coordinating commencement, ceremonial events, or large-scale university programs
3. Experience supervising professional staff, student employees, or volunteers
4. Experience managing budgets and vendor relationships

Work Hours

Core Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday, with occasional nights and weekends

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation.

During programs:
1. Stand, bend, reach, carry, and move for long periods of time.
2. Lift and transport up to 50 lbs. of program supplies, using a cart.
3. Drive a golf cart.
4. Provide clear verbal directions using a two-way radio.

Other times/majority of the year:
1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
2. Remain at a workspace for extended periods.

Proposed Starting Date

August 2026 or ASAP

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Reference List
Cover Letter

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Transcripts - See Special Instructions to Applicants for additional options

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below.

To be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation such as a DD-214 must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or military service documentation may be emailed, faxed, or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Email: kgshelt@ilstu.edu 
Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Kira Shelton
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois.

Residency Requirement: If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Kira Shelton
Human Resources
kgshelt@ilstu.edu 
(309) 438-2120

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University 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, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.