Director, Muslim Life

About the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life

The University of Southern California’s Office of Religious & Spiritual Life (ORSL) sponsors a variety of opportunities for exploring the spiritual dimensions of one’s life and learning; providing programs with a moral, religious or spiritual focus and co-sponsoring events with other university units and partnerships of student religious groups.  The Office is here for the entire USC community – students, faculty and staff – a community diverse in faith, belief and philosophy of life.

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life believes in fostering a vibrant university community that encourages the pursuit of meaning through spiritual reflection and free inquiry, providing fair opportunities to participate in religious life, advancing mutual understanding and respect among differing traditions - and in all these ways, strengthening each of us to actively engage in building a just and peaceful world.

About the Opportunity

One of USC’s Unifying Values is a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our Director, Muslim Life will bring greater alignment of the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life to the needs of the student body. The Director will develop and lead targeted programs for a diversity of Muslim students and staff on campus.  These social and/or interest-based programs will provide opportunities to increase student engagement in and out of the classroom and maximize chances for academic and personal success. The incumbent will ensure quality programming aimed at enhancing student life on university campuses and in surrounding/relevant communities. In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

Application Procedure

• To be considered for this opportunity, please see submit a cover letter with your resume/CV. The cover letter and the resume/CV are added in the same place during the application process.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with members of the Trojan community (students, staff, faculty, alumni, community members) to build a pluralistic and enriching Muslim life on the University Park and Health Science campuses.; including, but is not limited to developing educational, religious and spiritual programs for students through weekly events and coordination of community celebrations for Ramadan and Eid. 
• Provide oversight of the Muslim Prayer Space and Muslim Community Center, located at the University Religious Center. 
• Advise the Muslim Student Union and, as appropriate, other student religious and spiritual groups, who are interested in cultivating community through events and programs.
• Collaborate as needed in planning and participating in special services, such as baccalaureate, vigils, and memorial services, as well as campus wide events for orientation, alumni, and families. 
• Build partnerships across USC to nurture a supportive environment for Muslim students, staff and faculty, and to foster student development and well-being. (e.g. Student Life, Residential Life, Hospitality, etc.) 
• Spearhead, cultivate and maintain support from Muslim alumni and the broader Muslim community.
• Maintain relationships with Muslim community organizations in Los Angeles, such as Masjid Omar ibn Al-Khattab and Bayan Islamic Graduate School. 
• Across the university, offer guidance and advice on issues of interest to the Muslim community. 
• Provide oversight of interns and student workers, as needed.
• Manages services, strategies and operations for social and/or interest-based programs providing opportunities that increase student engagement in and out of the classroom. Oversees the planning, communication, evaluation and implementation of activities and events.
• Supports divisional short- and long-range planning, policy formation, and decision making. Sets goals for assigned program and measures performance against objectives.
• Coordinates programming aimed at enhancing student life on university campuses and in surrounding communities with university partners and relevant stakeholders.
• Develops internal/external public relations initiatives to promote student engagement programs and services (e.g., fellowship seminars).
• Establishes and maintains ongoing communications to ensure integrated efforts.
• Provides policy interpretation (e.g., disciplinary procedures) and reviews and decides exception requests as deemed appropriate.
• Resolves complex issues referred by others and provides technical guidance, as required.
• Maintains professional currency through active participation and leadership in internal/external associations and committees.
• Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.
• Develops and administers program budgets. Determines fiscal priorities and plans and approves expenditures accordingly. Develops projections for use in future budget planning (e.g., catering).
• Researches and identifies external funding sources and develops proposals. Interacts with donors, agencies or funding source representatives to exchange information and provide operating and status reports as needed.
• Recruits, hires, trains and manages program staff. Schedules and assigns work, assessing performance and providing feedback. Counsels or disciplines, as needed.
• Identifies and recommends opportunities for staff training, professional growth, and  development. Oversees the delivery of program-based training (e.g., risk management) and assesses effectiveness, modifying as appropriate.

• Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.

• EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY: In the event of an emergency, the employee holding this position is required to “report to duty” in accordance with the university’s Emergency Operations Plan and/or the employee’s department’s emergency response and/or recovery plans. Familiarity with those plans and regular training to implement those plans is required. During or immediately following an emergency, the employee will be notified to assist in the emergency response efforts, and mobilize other staff members if needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Master's degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

Minimum Experience:

• Five years of experience in program specialization.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and writing skills.
• Demonstrated experience interacting with diverse groups, exercising diplomacy, good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to analyze information and problem solve.
• Demonstrable program administration experience.
• Ability to develop and maintain budgets.
• Strong experience with staff development.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities.
• Strong project management experience.
• Proficient technology skills.

Preferred Experience:

• Seven years of of experience in program specialization in an institution of higher education.
• Familiarity with local community.
• Fluency in one or more language in addition to English (e.g., Udru, Farsi, Arabic).
• Demonstrated experience with office management communication software and tools (e.g.,
• Google suite, Slack, Skype) and social media management. Proficient with Microsoft Office and or Adobe Creative software.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-platform communications and marketing plans involving publications, videos, websites, social media, and public speeches and presentations.

The annual base salary range for this position is $87,709.17 - $100,00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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Minimum Education: Master's degree Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years in program specialization Minimum Skills: Excellent verbal communication skills and writing skills. Ability to analyze information and problem-solve. Demonstrable program administration experience. Ability to develop and maintain budgets. Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities. Strong project management experience. Proficient technology skills. Demonstrated experience interacting with diverse groups, exercising diplomacy, good judgment and discretion. Preferred Education: Master's degree Preferred Experience: 7 years in an institution of higher education Preferred Skills: Familiarity with local community. Fluency in one or more language in addition to English (e.g., Udru, Farsi, Arabic). Demonstrated experience with office management communication software and tools (e.g., Google suite, Slack, Skype) and social media management. Proficient with Microsoft Office and or Adobe Creative software. Demonstrated experience managing multi-platform communications and marketing plans involving publications, videos, websites, social media, and public speeches and presentations.