Director - College and Community Engagement

Georgia Highlands College is a multi-campus, state college member of the University System of Georgia. Founded in 1970 as Floyd Junior College, it now serves more than 6,000 students in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama across its five locations in Rome, Cartersville, Marietta, and Dallas. GHC currently offers over 30 areas of study with associate degree and bachelor’s degree options both in the classroom and online.

We are a growing and progressive institution with opportunities for great employees to grow in a fast-paced and challenging work environment that encourages employee wellness and overall success. Our combined efforts at GHC have led to numerous awards, honors, and countless stories of success for students and employees. This includes our most recent honor of being recognized as one of the semifinalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

The Director of College and Community Engagement provides leadership and direction for Georgia Highlands College's regional presence, ensuring alignment with the institution¿s mission and strategic goals, and manages an assigned GHC location. This role fosters strong community partnerships, manages events and outreach, and leads a team of College and Community Engagement managers to drive engagement, unity, and institutional growth. The Director serves as a key ambassador for the college, advancing relationships that support student success, recruitment, and visibility.

Is responsible to understand, support, and carry out the college mission, vision, and values and comply with mandates and regulations of government and accrediting bodies

Facility Operations

• Serve as the primary point of contact for daily operations at the assigned location, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors
• Collaborate with facilities and security teams to address maintenance, repairs, and accessibility needs at the assigned GHC location
• Coordinate space utilization, office spaces, and event areas with facilities to maximize efficiency and effectiveness
• Conduct regular assessments to ensure the location is functional and meets institutional standards

Community Engagement

• Represent the college at community events, meetings, and forums, serving as an advocate for its programs and initiatives
• Strengthen partnerships with K-12 school systems, local industries, and civic organizations to enhance recruitment, resource sharing, and collaborative opportunities
• Attend community meetings, forums, and events to expand the college's visibility and influence in the region
• Develop and implement initiatives that position the college as a community resource and partner of choice

Event Management and Outreach

• Direct the planning and execution of internal and external events, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and goals
• Work with internal teams to coordinate logistical needs, such as AV, IT, catering, and facilities support
• Actively promote the use of college facilities by community organizations to enhance engagement and generate revenue
• Lead signature events that highlight the college's impact and foster deeper community connections

Student and Institutional Support

• Collaborate with academic and student services teams to foster a supportive and engaging environment for students
• Participate in recruitment and retention initiatives, including outreach to prospective students and support for student organizations
• Act as a resource for faculty, staff, and students to ensure effective communication and access to college services
• Support institutional projects and initiatives

Management of College and Community Engagement Managers

• Guide and support a team of college and community engagement managers, providing direction, mentorship, and opportunities for professional development across all GHC locations
• Ensure team efforts align with the strategic vision of the college, fostering cohesive and impactful community engagement across all regions
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for growth and partnership that advance institutional goals
• Participate in institutional councils, committees, and strategic initiatives to represent the college and community engagement

• 
  Performs other duties as assigned

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a bachelor's degree in a course of study related to the occupational field.
• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of the subunits in the division/department to direct and coordinate work within the division/department, usually interpreted to require three (3) to five (5) years of related experience.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills with a proven ability to build relationships and manage complex projects.
• Demonstrated success in budget management, event planning, and staff supervision.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated

Commensurate with experience

• Knowledge of Board of Regents policies
• Knowledge of University System of Georgia policies
• Knowledge of institutional policies and procedures
• Knowledge of college human resource policies
• Skill in the preparation of clear and accurate reports
• Skill in the analysis of problems and the development and implementation of solutions
• Skill in oral and written communication
• Skills in project management with emphasis on detail orientation
• Organizational skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to plan and execute a variety of events

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Highlands College, as determined by Georgia Highlands College in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.