Salary Range:
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
About SMU
SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About the Department:
The Office of the Senior Vice President (SVP) for Student Affairs provides strategic leadership for SMU’s Division of Student Affairs. Led by SVP Dr. K.C. Mmeje, the office includes seven full-time professionals who deliver essential centralized support to the division. Together, the team advances the division’s mission to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive environment where every Mustang can thrive.
About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
The Coordinator for the Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs (OSVPSA) provides comprehensive event planning, communications, marketing, and development support to advance the mission, initiatives, and strategic priorities of the Division of Student Affairs at Southern Methodist University. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this position plays a critical role in supporting signature events, shaping divisional messaging, managing digital and social media content, and assisting with development activities. The Coordinator works collaboratively with Student Affairs colleagues and campus partners to ensure cohesive, high-quality communications and operational support.
Essential Functions:
- The Coordinator provides planning and logistical support for a variety of SVPSA and divisional events including coordinating timelines, invitations, communications, reservations, catering, materials preparation, and on-site support. They collaborate with stakeholders to ensure events are well organized, professionally executed, and aligned with divisional objectives.
- Develops and publishes engaging content across Student Affairs and SVPSA-related social media platforms. This includes monitoring engagement, analytics, and reporting. They ensure SM content reflects divisional priorities, celebrates campus life, and supports student engagement goals, while staying current on social media trends and best practices within higher education.
- Drafts and proofreads written materials on behalf of the OSVPSA. They support the development and execution of communication and marketing strategies, ensuring messaging is clear, professional, and aligned with SMU’s brand standards. They manage the division’s communications calendar.
- Assists with SA development-related activities, including stewardship communications and donor engagement efforts. They support coordination with University Development, help prepare briefing materials and correspondence related to fundraising activities, and support effective donor relations.
- Serves as an active and engaged member of the Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs team. Supports the implementation and realization of the student affairs division mission and strategic plan.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s is required.
Experience with marketing, communications, and/or event planning is preferred. Experience within an educational organization is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
Candidate must have the ability to conceptualize, write and edit strategic, accurate and concise content for various audiences, to work under pressure, meet deadlines, conduct multiple tasks and maintain effective working relationships, to coordinate large projects with numerous components over extended periods of time and to visually inspect print and online copy when self-editing or editing the copy of others.
Knowledge of Asana Project Management is preferred.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
- Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
Applications received by June 19, 2026 will receive priority consideration.
Position is open until filled.
EEO Statement
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU’s retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn’t just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
