Job Description for the Program Assistant for the Center for Leadership position. Review job description, requirements, and qualifications. Apply or register interest for the position.

Title: Program Assistant for the Center for Leadership

Position Type: Staff Full-Time

Days Per Week: Monday - Friday

Hours Per Week: 40

VP Area: Student Life

Department: Center for Leadership

Position Summary

The Division of Student Life provides premier student-centered services, programs, and experiences that integrate in- and out-of-class learning, promote holistic student development, and facilitate student engagement in a vibrant, supportive residential community. Within the Division of Student Life, this position is part of the Center for Leadership and reports to the Director of the Center for Leadership.

The Program Assistant is responsible for the overall day-to-day operations of the department, providing support for the staff and students within the office. The Program Assistant must be highly organized and efficient with the ability to balance multiple tasks and responsibilities. They must have an acute understanding and passion for building inclusive communities, strong critical thinking skills, the ability to exercise good judgment, and must maintain a high level of discretion and confidentiality. They must always maintain an intense focus on accuracy with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Benefits of Working at Elon

As an Elon University employee, you’ll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Ranked among the most innovative, creative and best-run universities in the nation, Elon’s personal approach to education extends to employees, whose growth, professional development and success is a hallmark of our training and advancement opportunities.

Elon University’s home is the charming town of Elon, North Carolina, a small, friendly community located a short distance from the beach and the mountains, and among the vibrant cities of Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham. In addition to the beautiful canopy of historic oak trees iconic to our campus, you’ll find boundless opportunities for family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. Hiking, water sports, fine dining and entertainment are just a few of the many happenings in the Elon area, making the region one of the nation’s premier travel destinations.

Employees at Elon enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes:

28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation.

Immediate tuition remission for undergraduate courses

Tuition remission for approved graduate-level courses after 12 months of employment.

Retirement plan with an 8 percent contribution from the university.

Immediate eligibility for health, dental and vision insurance, along with free acute care and lab services at our onsite Health & Wellness Clinic.

Free use of campus fitness facilities.

Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.

Eligibility for tuition remission at Elon for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins at two years of service. After two years of employment, eligibility begins for participation in the Tuition Exchange, a national scholarship exchange program that enables dependents to enroll in nationally recognized partner colleges and universities.

Elon values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our community members. As an equal opportunity employer, Elon’s principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of one’s identity. At Elon, our employees respect human differences, passion for lifelong learning, emphasis on personal integrity and an ethic of service.


Elon is proud to have been named to the list of Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs each of the past four years. For additional information about working with the Division of Student Life, visit: https://www.elon.edu/u/administration/student-life/about/work-with-us/

Minimum Required Education and Experience

High school diploma or GED plus three or more years of related experience and/or training required.

Preferred Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and administrative work experience (including part-time or full-time positions) preferred.

Job Duties

Office Management Provide primary administrative and office management support for the director of the department and members of the staff. Duties include opening and closing the office, maintaining a professional work environment, welcoming visitors, managing, and directing phone calls, word processing, spreadsheets, editing, filing, and other tasks as assigned. Serve as the front-line staff member for students, staff, faculty, and parents on inquiries related to departmental programs and services and address concerns and needs related to student support, well-being, policies and procedures, and resources. Maintain storage areas and inventory.

• Calendars and Scheduling Responsible for maintaining calendars for the department director and members of the staff including scheduling appointments, coordinating, and scheduling various committee and group meetings. Coordinate event management logistics for meetings and events, including space reservations, set-up requests, catering orders, and media needs.
• Financial Processes Manage purchasing tasks for departmental programs and events. Reconcile credit purchases and maintain accurate records of budgets, monitor spending, and regularly reconcile balances for operational, donor, and grant accounts (including Leadership Prize). Track and process professional development requests and expenses.
• Personnel Processes Coordinate the recruitment, marketing, hiring, and training of student staff providing support and mentorship while encouraging professionalism in the workplace. Work with the PACE Program (Providing Aid Through Campus Employment) for student staff recruitment, schedule student staff work hours, approve timesheets, etc. Supervise and evaluate assigned student staff members through regularly scheduled meetings, mentoring, and feedback. Incorporate the Elon GROW (Guided Reflection on Work) resources within supervision efforts to assist students in connecting classroom learning with future career competencies. 
• Administrative Responsibilities Prepare communications to students, faculty, staff, and parents using email, Microsoft Office applications, Colleague (student academic record system), PhoenixCONNECT (student event marketing system), and other tools as appropriate. Collaborate and build relationships with campus partners to distribute information as necessary. Directly coordinate logistics and planning for various special events including the Leadership Fellows Interview Weekend, Sophomore Leadership Fellows winter term travel, various retreats, Omicron Delta Kappa (OΔK) initiation program, the University’s Leadership Awards Ceremony, and the Intersect (diversity and leadership) Conference. 
• Maintain confidential files and information
• Support the faculty director and Dean of Student Development in the management of the Leadership Prize
• Support university events, including, but not limited to: Convocations, Commencement, Family Weekend, and events related to Admissions and/or New Student Orientation
• Serve on university, divisional, or departmental committees, task forces, and search committees
• Other related duties as assigned by the Director