Pros
As a director of a staff-run program, I had incredible autonomy and flexibility to do pretty much anything I wanted. The administration applauded and recognized my efforts, and student engagement was strong.
Work-life balance is incredibly easy as well. Students, staff, and faculty are kind.
Cons
There's just no money. My position required a terminal degree, and to put in so many years of work for such paltry pay is astonishing. Further, there was no money for my department. So, despite all the great things I did on sheer willpower alone, I could never grow or improve upon the merits of my earlier successes.