Student Executive Director, Alternative Breaks
Position Overview
The Executive Director works in partnership with the Managing Director; these directors are commonly referred to as the ‘Co-Directors.’ These two officers are responsible for the Alternative Breaks program. As directors, they are responsible for unifying the resources, strategies, goals, and practices of the service programs: Alternative Winter Breaks, Alternative Spring Breaks, and Alternative Weekend Breaks (with the opportunity to expand to include Alternative Fall Breaks and Alternative Summer Breaks) to maintain consistency between the programs and ensure that education and reflection are integrated into all seasons.
The Executive Director will be long-term focused and aid in the main coordination of Public Relations and Finance teams; overseeing the Public Relations Director; along with, if applicable, relevant CORE members: Social Media Coordinators, Graphic Design Coordinator, the Outreach Committee, Finance Coordinator, Fundraising Coordinator, Accounting Coordinator, and the Research Coordinators.
The Co-Directors must make themselves available to one another and their Alternative Breaks CORE team during the upcoming summer and throughout the duration of their position, including during Alternative Break travel periods, and for turnover the following year.
Hiring, weekly hour maximum, and hourly rate of pay are contingent on KU Student Senate funding.
The Executive Director will be long-term focused and aid in the main coordination of Public Relations and Finance teams; overseeing the Public Relations Director; along with, if applicable, relevant CORE members: Social Media Coordinators, Graphic Design Coordinator, the Outreach Committee, Finance Coordinator, Fundraising Coordinator, Accounting Coordinator, and the Research Coordinators.
The Co-Directors must make themselves available to one another and their Alternative Breaks CORE team during the upcoming summer and throughout the duration of their position, including during Alternative Break travel periods, and for turnover the following year.
Hiring, weekly hour maximum, and hourly rate of pay are contingent on KU Student Senate funding.
Job Description
70% - Internal & External Collaboration, Development, and Management
20% - Financial, Public Relations, and Research Oversight
- Serve as a point of contact for AB executive CORE members, Advisors, AB partnerships, and current and potential partners across campus (CSL, Departmental Deans, Student Senate, etc.). Co-facilitating development of partnerships with current and existing partners with the Managing Director, actively seeking to extend AB's reach across campus and the community.
- Oversee AB programming, answer questions, offer support, and meet regularly with Coordinators/Directors, Advisors, and campus partners.
- Act as a leader and a role model in guiding AB CORE (Directors and Coordinators) in their service to the organization, and participants at service sites.
- Facilitate CORE training, meetings, and support in partnership with the Managing Director; lead these components for the roles within their direct oversight.
- Support incoming/outgoing Directors in facilitating volunteer CORE interviews, selection, new coordinator hiring, and turnover tasks.
- Co-organize and lead in partnership with the Managing Director at least bi-weekly meetings with other CORE members on AB programming.
- Meet bi-weekly with the AB’s Advisors and Managing Director to discuss internal management, and AB programming.
- Oversee development and management of partnerships across campus to market AB and engage sponsors.
- Maintain availability during all academic breaks to manage Alternative Break experiences in partnership with the Managing Director; especially as it relates to emergencies with financial urgency.
- Oversee and co-lead engagement with applicants and those selected to be participants in Alternative Breaks: including, but not limited to, scheduling and hosting interviews, scheduling and hosting informational sessions about trips, fielding questions from participants and applicants, and conducting site leader and driver trainings.
20% - Financial, Public Relations, and Research Oversight
- Work with the volunteer Finance team (Accounting, Finance, and Fundraising Coordinators of CORE, if applicable) to ensure cost-effective and financially accessible programming; oversee scholarship fundraising and award process, and AB finance site packet preparation.
- Work with the Public Relations Director and the Outreach team (Social Media Coordinator, Graphic Design Coordinator, and Outreach Committee of CORE, if applicable) to ensure accurate, engaging, and timely promotional programming; oversee social media engagement and other outreach channels; provide regular engagement with alumni and prospective participants.
- Develop and follow a standard annual timeline and process for finances and public relations to ensure relationships with campus partners and the KU student-body can continue to develop in a prompt and relevant manner.
- Document processes related to internal and external communication as related to campus sponsors to create a manual/guide for future AB leaders and to ensure communication is prompt and relevant.
- Organize and condense prior documentation into active, accessible, and thorough files for future AB leaders.
Required Qualifications
- Evidenced commitment to community outreach and service.
- Ability to lead and work collaboratively with a team as shown in application material.
- Strong organization and time management skills.
- Strong self-starter with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience as a CORE Member of KU Alternative Breaks or participant of an Alternative Break.
- Prior experience facilitating promotional campaigns and/or social media management.
- Prior experience organizing partnerships and collaborating with various organizations across campus.
Position Requirements
During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).
Employment Conditions
(1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.
(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.
(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.
Additional Candidate Instructions
Your application must consist of each of the following:
To ensure consideration apply by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time 2/24/2026.
- Completion of the online application form, including responses to the included application questions (in lieu of a cover letter).
- Current Resume.
- Resume: career.ku.edu/resumes
To ensure consideration apply by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time 2/24/2026.
Contact Information to Applicants
Kate Kemper or Steph Ruppen: csl@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
$11.25 per hour
Anticipated Start Date
Monday June 22, 2026