Director, Orientation and Transition Programs

Director, Orientation and Transition Programs

Posting deadline
:
February 15, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. Local time. Online applications must be received by the deadline.

Available Title(s): 1155- - Director

Business

Title:

Director, Orientation and Transition Programs

Employee Type: Admin. Professional

The Opportunity: As the Director of Orientation and Transition Programs for Enrollment at Washington State University, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight for WSU Pullman s comprehensive orientation and transition initiatives. You will guide the vision and direction for spring orientation, population-specific orientation programs, summer and fall programs, Week of Welcome, and other key transition experiences that support new students and their families.

Through collaboration with academic and student service units, you will design and deliver welcoming, cohesive, and effective orientation experiences that promote student success from the very beginning.

You will work closely with the Assistant Directors of Orientation, providing strategic direction while they oversee day-of implementation and operations. Together, you will ensure seamless delivery of programs that reflect institutional priorities and best practices in student onboarding and transition.

In partnership with the AVP, you will lead the development of new initiatives and the enhancement of existing programs that directly support the university s enrollment, retention, and student success goals. You will also play a key role in shaping components of the recruitment cycle by overseeing aspects of new-student onboarding and engagement.

You will manage fiscal planning and resource allocation, including developing and overseeing orientation-related budgets, approving travel and expenditures, and ensuring responsible stewardship of resources. You will strengthen and expand partnerships both on and off campus, lead the development and execution of targeted communication strategies, establish measurable goals, and use data and assessment to inform continuous improvement.

As a leader, you will directly supervise Assistant Directors and other support staff, providing coaching, guidance, and professional development. You will also support the Assistant Directors in their supervision of up to 50 student staff members, helping to shape robust training programs and contributing to the development of students, staff, and any associated university leadership or training courses.

Finally, you will collaborate closely with Enrollment Management leadership to build and expand cross-unit partnerships and identify new opportunities that enhance the university s overall onboarding process. Through this collaboration, you will help ensure alignment with institutional enrollment objectives and create a coordinated, student-centered experience from recruitment through transition and beyond.

Director will work with system orientation staff as needed.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for orientation and transition programs for new students and their families.
• Guide the vision and direction for spring, summer, fall, Week of Welcome, and other transition experiences.
• Collaborate with academic and student service units to design cohesive onboarding experiences.
• Work with Assistant Directors on day-of implementation and operations.
• Lead development of new initiatives and enhancements aligned with enrollment, retention, and student success goals.
• Oversee new-student onboarding components of the recruitment cycle.
• Manage fiscal planning and resource allocation, including budgets and expenditures.
• Develop and execute targeted communications strategies; establish measurable goals and use data to drive improvement.
• Directly supervise Assistant Directors and other staff; support training and professional development.
• Supervise up to 50 student staff members through Assistant Directors; contribute to training programs.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management to expand cross-unit partnerships and ensure alignment with enrollment objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and six (6) years of…