Executive Director, Lory Student Center

Job Description

The Lory Student Center (LSC) reports as part of the Engagement and Belonging area in the Division of Student Affairs. Together, areas in Engagement and Belonging collaborate with one another and other University Departments to provide programs, services, and strategies which celebrate and uplift student voices and their unique experiences, facilitate community engagement, and foster a sense of belonging which contributes to student success.

As a student-entered organization located at the heart of campus, the LSC provides programs and services that create an inclusive community and inspire active, engaged learning. The operation of the LSC includes a complex, self-generated $40 million set of budgets including the CSU Bookstore, LSC Dining Services, the LSC Employment team (Human Resources, Talent Development, and Assessment), Student Engagement Areas (Adult Learner and Veteran Services; Campus Activities; Fraternity and Sorority Life; and the Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement office), Operations, Event Planning, Marketing, Ram Card office, and contracted business partners. Hosting approximately 12,000 meetings and events annually, and with 12,000 to 15,000 visitors per day, the LSC frequently is recognized as one of the leading college unions internationally.

The Executive Director of the Lory Student Center serves in a prominent campus leadership position, providing senior oversight for 125 career staff and 650 student/hourly employees. The position will lead facilities and organizational visioning, strategically aligning people and resources to ensure a forward-focused Student Center remains at the heart of campus life. The Executive Director collaborates with multiple campus administrators, faculty, and staff colleagues, including a wide array of University service partners located in the LSC, and works directly with student leaders from the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) and the Lory Student Center Governing Board to advance engagement, belonging, student success, and operational excellence. The Executive Director reports to the Associate Vice President for Engagement and Belonging.

Essential Job Duties

• Provide executive leadership and coordinate visioning and strategic planning for all LSC units, operations, programs, and services.
• Manage financial strategy and a $40M annual budget, including resource allocation, capital projects, and long-term planning.
• Supervise senior leaders, ensuring effective hiring, evaluation, and professional development.
• Oversee maintenance, renovation planning, and long-term facility stewardship for the Lory Student Center to ensure responsiveness to evolving student needs, engagement and belonging trends, and best practices in student union leadership.
• Develop and implement policies related to facility usage, student fees, risk management/safety, and operational procedures.
• Champion our campus culture ( by elevating student involvement and belonging across all LSC programs, services and operations.
• Advise and collaborate with the Lory Student Center Governing Board in its formulation and oversight of policies and funding related to the use and operation of the Student Center; advise leadership of ASCSU on various projects and initiatives, including the Student Fee Review Board.
• Cultivate strong collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners to support institutional initiatives and drive student success; represent the Division of Student Affairs and LSC on multiple University committees, projects, and searches.
• Ensure ongoing assessment of student needs and interests and the use of data to inform services, programs, and facilities.
• Represent the Division of Student Affairs and LSC on multiple University committees, projects, and searches.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).
• Essential Services Designation – Ability and willingness to respond to campus crises after hours.

Supervision

• One (1) Office Manager
• Two (2) LSC Associate Executive Directors
• Up to Four (4) LSC Directors

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in student affairs administration, business administration, or related degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive, professional full-time experience in student affairs or auxiliary services administration at a college or university.
• 5 years of demonstrated successful financial experience in complex business operations, including budgeting, financial management, expense reduction, and revenue generation in support of key performance indicators to drive organizational improvement and support strategic planning.
• 5 years experience supervising full-time professional/career staff.
• Strategic facility management and planning experience for capital construction and repair/renovations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in higher education/student affairs or related area preferred.
• Experience in a senior administrative position of a college or university student union/center with increasing responsibility for supervising full-time professional/career staff.
• Evidence of understanding and appreciation of the student union/student activities role in higher education as an agent and support system for co-curricular education and student learning, and as a provider of quality, comprehensive services which support engagement and belonging and build community at a university or college.
• Experience in ensuring fiscal discipline and accountability for a broad portfolio of contracted and internal campus auxiliary operations, such as Bookstore, Dining, Vending, and/or ID Card Services.
• Experience interacting productively with student leaders, student employees, and a broad range of student organizations across campus.
• Competence in building and enhancing cooperative working relationships that includes leading cross-departmental, divisional and university collaborative teams.
• Experience conducting assessments, evaluations, and improvement plans for driving data informed decision making for student programs, services, and employees.
• Experience as a team leader providing direction and guidance for articulating a vision for the future and the important role of the college union and student affairs.
• Experience in cultivating a dynamic campus environment that encourages innovation and cutting-edge programs and services.
• Strong communication (written and verbal), organization, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated success in each area.

Required Application Documents

• Cover letter addressing Required Job Qualifications, Preferred Job Qualifications, and Essential Job Duties.
• Resume/CV.

Salary Range

$150,000 – $165,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University offers a comprehensive benefits package and a collaborative atmosphere that supports work–life balance.

• Review our detailed benefits information here (
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here (
• Learn more about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked among the top cities to live in (

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University conducts background checks for finalists before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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