Student Engagement Manager

Student Engagement Manager

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Student Engagement Manager at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

Job Purpose

The Student Engagement Manager is responsible for developing, managing, and leading all aspects of Career Services’ student engagement programming. This role increases student awareness and participation by proactively bringing career resources, advising, and programming into the spaces where students are, whether physically or virtually. The Manager collaborates with academic units, student organizations, and campus partners to ensure Career Services is a visible, accessible, and integrated part of the student experience.

Essential Functions

(Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.)

Essential Function

% Time

Student Outreach & Engagement Strategy: Develop and implement a strategic plan to increase visibility and usage of Career Services through high-impact outreach efforts. Lead pop-up programming, tabling, and in-classroom outreach that meets students where they are. Foster peer-to-peer engagement through student-centered campaigns and strategic partnerships with student leaders and organizations.

30%

Campus Collaboration & Embedded Programming: Build and maintain partnerships with colleges, departments, student success offices, and campus centers to embed career development into the broader student experience. Coordinate Career Services’ presence at university events (, orientation, welcome week, student org fairs). Serve as the point person for career integration efforts in co-curricular and curricular settings.

25%

Marketing & Communication: Collaborate with communications staff to design and deploy effective marketing campaigns across email, social media, and print to promote career programming. Develop student-friendly messaging to highlight available services, upcoming events, and notable success stories. Utilize data analytics and engagement metrics to evaluate and refine outreach strategies continually.

15%

Event Management & Facilitation: Plan and execute high-quality, accessible career events in collaboration with other team members (, mobile career units, interactive workshops). Support logistics, marketing, and delivery of events held across campus locations. Facilitate interactive sessions on career-related topics for general and targeted student audiences.

15%

Assessment & Continuance Improvement: Track and report on student engagement data and outcomes for outreach efforts. Contribute to data-informed improvements and innovations in student programming. Stay current on best practices in student engagement and career development.

5%

Supervision & Peer Leadership Development: Lead and functionally supervise the Student Engagement Team, comprising student staff, interns, and ambassadors, who focus on outreach and visibility. Provide training and mentoring to ensure peer leaders effectively represent Career Services and support their own development

5%

Perform other related duties as assigned.

5%

WORK CONTEXT

This grid characterizes the position scope.

Job Reports to:

Director

Leadership Accountability:

Develops policy and strategic plans

Supervisory Accountability:

Supervises associates below supervisory level

Organizational Accountability:

Manages work group within a sub-unit of a department

Financial Accountability:

None

Customer Accountability:

Interfaces with officials and executives

Freedom to Act:

Subject to regular review by supervisor

Qualifications:

Education Bachelor's degree

-Bachelor’s degree in student affairs, higher education administration, marketing, psychology, social work, learning design or a related field from an accredited institution. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+ years experience)

-Minimum five (5) years of leadership experience.

-Experience working with undecided college students preferred.

-Experience utilizing and managing career management software preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

-Strong understanding of student engagement and career development in a higher education setting, including the needs of diverse and underserved student populations.

-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage students and collaborate effectively across departments.

-Proven event planning and project management skills, including organizing outreach efforts, workshops, and campus-wide programs.

-Ability to lead and supervise student staff in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment.

-Creative problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities to design and implement high-impact engagement initiatives.

-Proficiency with digital tools and platforms such as social media, email marketing, and career management systems (, Handshake).

School/College/Division:

H92 - VP Student Affairs

Primary department:

H9203 - Placement Services (H9203)

Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum: TBD
• Salary hire maximum: TBD

Working conditions:

-Normal office environment. - Local travel required.

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.