Executive Director Student, Transitions and Family Programs

Executive Director for New Student, Transitions and Family Programs

Position Summary:

The Executive Director serves on the Student Affairs Leadership Team and reports to the Assistant Vice President for Student Success and Transition. The role is responsible for developing, planning, and implementing a high‑profile, dynamic, student‑centered orientation program for new first‑year, transfer, and international undergraduate students and their families, as well as related programs that serve special populations.

Annual salary ranges from $80,000 to $100,000, commensurate with experience. The position is full‑time, Monday–Friday 8:00 am–5:00 pm, located in Arlington.

• Develop, plan, and implement a high‑profile, dynamic, and student‑centered orientation program (including 1‑day, 2‑day, and virtual options) for all new first‑year, transfer, and international undergraduate students and their families, serving more than 14,000 incoming students and 2,000 family members annually; also further develop graduate orientation programs.
• Oversee daily management of the New Student, Transition, and Family Programs, directly supervising multiple professional staff and paraprofessionals, including Directors of Transition Programs and Services, Parent and Family Engagement, and Program Assistants.
• Lead implementation and facilitation of new student programming, including New Maverick Orientation, Blaze Camp, Early Arrival Move‑In Orientation, Maverick Kickoff, Convocation, and other Student Affairs initiatives.
• Create and advance a strategic vision and priorities for New Student, Transition, and Family Programs that support the successful transition and retention of new students, with particular attention to populations served.
• Lead development and implementation of short‑ and long‑term goals, initiatives, and assessment plans to evaluate program effectiveness, learning outcomes, and overall impact of orientation and transition services.
• Manage orientation and transition technology platforms, including Visual Zen, Advantage Design Group Online Orientation, and Canvas orientation modules, ensuring functionality, compliance, and a positive user experience.
• Support development of family programming and communication, including Friends and Family Weekend, guest orientation, and First Generation, Transfer, and Off‑campus initiatives.
• Direct development and management of orientation registration processes in Visual Zen in coordination with Admissions.
• Serve on and coordinate with the university‑wide Yield, Onboarding, and Retention (YORC) Committee and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition for new, transfer, international, and graduate students.
• Serve as a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team to develop an orientation schedule and capacities, addressing registration issues.
• Oversee recruitment, selection, and training of a large and diverse undergraduate student orientation leader team.
• Oversee communication planning, departmental website, publications, and electronic messaging in collaboration with Student Affairs.
• Marketing and communications and enrollment management as appropriate.
• Oversee and manage an annual revenue budget of approximately $1.3 million, including fiscal strategy, budgeting, and regular analysis.
• Serve on various university committees as requested.
• Perform miscellaneous job‑related duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, counseling, college student personnel, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of student affairs or related professional work experience.
• Prior experience in new student orientation and first‑year experience programs is required.

• Seven (7) or more years of professional experience, with significant experience in orientation/first‑year programs and familiarity with services for family members, first‑generation students, transfer students, and other supported student communities.

• Excellent program planning and implementation skills.
• Strong understanding of academia to achieve results in a cross‑functional environment.
• Effective supervision…