Program Manager for Community Engagement

The Schlegel Center for Service and Justice (SCSJ) at Creighton University seeks to "awaken hearts and lives of solidarity to build a more just world." As part of a mission-driven team rooted in the Ignatian tradition, the Program Manager for Community Engagement plays a key role in forming students for leadership, service, justice, and the common good.

This position offers undergraduate student development through supervision, formation, and community engagement programming, while also contributing to the operational effectiveness of the SCSJ. The Program Manager coordinates student leadership development and office operations to ensure high-impact, mission-aligned experiences.

Essential Functions:

Undergraduate Ignatian Formation through Key SCSJ Programming Community Engagement

* Supervise and mentor 15 undergraduate student leaders, supporting program planning, logistics, Ignatian reflection, justice education, and holistic development (including discernment support).

* Ensure compliance with university policies and community engagement best practices.

* Coordinate with community partner to offer annual summer internship opportunities.

* Supervise Federal Work-Study students placed in community-based roles (e.g., tutoring in local schools or nonprofits).

* Provide leadership and support for the Cortina Community (sophomore living-learning community), including advisory board participation, service coordination, retreats, and formation experiences.

Ignatian Formation: Community Orientations

* Coordinate and facilitate formation experiences for students, faculty, and staff focused on community engagement in North Omaha, South Omaha, with refugee communities, and environmental justice. These include both off-site and classroom-based orientation formats.

* Integrate principles of cultural humility, justice, and ethical community engagement.

Ignatian Student Leadership Formation

* Coordinate experiential formation for 55+ undergraduate SCSJ Team Leaders annually, grounded in Jesuit, Catholic mission and the call to "educate the whole person for the real world." Key formation experiences include 2 spring all team meetings, a summer asynchronous group, 4 days of August training, and a Winter 1 day retreat. Training topics include Ignatian reflection, discernment, leadership, facilitation skills, and social justice.

* In collaboration with SCSJ staff, recruit, hire, and onboard approximately 55 student leaders and 2 graduate assistants; oversee student hiring and payroll.

* Foster a strong sense of belonging and community among student leaders while building career-ready competencies.

SCSJ Operations and Departmental Support

* Manage core office operations, including purchasing, reporting, scheduling, space reservations, catering, and travel coordination.

* Provide advising and logistical support to student leaders implementing SCSJ programs; ensure a welcoming and hospitable office environment.

* Assist with letters of recommendation and student award nominations.

* Collaborate with campus partners (e.g., Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance, General Counsel, Public Safety) to ensure adherence to risk management, safety, and behavioral standards.

* Participate in SCSJ staff meetings, student leader meetings, retreats (including overnight), and divisional development opportunities.

* Engage in ongoing professional development by participating in relevant associations, conferences, and current research related to community engagement, Ignatian formation, and belonging.

Qualifications:

Education

* Bachelor's degree required. Ministry, Theology, Education, Social Work, Social Justice, Sociology, Public Policy, Community Development, or related discipline.

Experience

* 3-5 years of relevant professional experience.

* Demonstrated experience supervising students or teams.

* Experience working collaboratively across diverse cultural contexts and within multi-faith environments.

* Strong organizational skills with experience managing logistics and detail-oriented processes.

* Experience building and sustaining partnerships with community organizations and/or nonprofits.

* Experience designing, facilitating, or supporting student training and formation for community engagement preferred.

* Familiarity with Ignatian formation or Jesuit educational values preferred.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

* Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication.

* Knowledge of social justice issues-including migration, housing and food insecurity, education, and climate change-and a commitment to ongoing learning.

* Commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and the common good.

* Knowledge of, or openness to learning, Catholic Social Teaching and Ignatian spirituality.

* Experience with and commitment to collaboration and fostering communities of belonging.

* Understanding of, and commitment to, asset-based and mutually beneficial community engagement practices.

* Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail; proficiency with technology, including Microsoft Office and database systems.

* Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and balance strategic thinking with detailed execution.

* Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

* Ability to build effective professional relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.

* Ability to communicate with sensitivity, discretion, and sound judgment, including maintaining confidentiality.

* Experience or ability to support marketing, communications, and event planning.

* Understanding of program evaluation

* Availability for periodic night and weekend commitments and occasional travel