Mission Statement: Centered in the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching in dialogue with the contemporary Jesuit commitment to a faith that does justice, the Center for Service and Social Action seeks to educate for justice by offering opportunities for learning through service and advocacy. The Center connects the campus with the community through sustained partnerships that enable us to realize the Jesuit goal of developing well-educated men and women who understand what it means to stand in solidarity with the poor and marginalized; to engage in ongoing reflection; and to build a more humane and just society.
Summary: Under the supervision of the Office of the Provost and Academic Vice President, the Director’s primary responsibility is to provide leadership and direction, and to facilitate a culture of service that is consistent with Jesuit education and the institutional mission.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Provide vision and leadership for the Center for Service and Social Action.
- Develop and maintain a close working relationship with all offices and organizations on campus that promote and participate in community service activities.
- Develop and maintain community relationships.
- Sponsor and support University-wide programs, such as the Jesuit Day of Service, Cleveland Neighborhood Project, and We the People Service-Learning project.
- Provide oversight of all of the Center’s activities, including supervision of the associate director, assistant director of Program Development, Arrupe Scholars director, director of Service-Learning, and other key personnel.
- Responsible for the annual budget and for establishing strategic priorities.
- Produce annual reports and assessments.
- Chair committees for annual service awards.
Qualifications: The Director of the Center for Service and Social Action is a full-time administrative appointment for a staff person or a tenured faculty member who has a demonstrated commitment to the role of service in Jesuit education.
- Advanced Degree and/or scholarly and professional accomplishments in a relevant field, indicating an ability to work as a peer with university faculty. Doctorate preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and exert leadership in programs and activities involving faculty, staff, students and community organizations
- Demonstrated successful leadership and management experience in nonprofits, government, social/public/community service, or higher education
- Professional or volunteer experience in the community and demonstrated use of innovative approaches and sensitivity to community needs.
- Ability to articulate the complexities surrounding the intersections of service and privilege and demonstrated experience working with diverse populations.
- Ability to collaborate with faculty, other directors, and University officers.
- Experience in grant-writing desirable.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and with multiple interruptions while maintaining flexibility and a sense of humor.
- Accuracy and attentiveness to detail and follow-through as well as the ability to view problems from a broader perspective or third-person point of view; demonstrated analytic ability.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Demonstrated creative initiative and excellent problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as sensitively and ethically with confidential information; good judgment and tact when handling difficult or sensitive situations.
- Organized approach to work with the ability to delegate effectively.
- Ideally, a minimum of 5-7 years demonstrated supervisory experience.
The review of applications will begin in mid-May and continue until the position is filled.
For more information on the Center for Service and Social Action, go to
To apply for the position, go to http://sites.jcu.edu/hr/pages/applicants/