Associate Director, Student Transition Programs

Associate Director, New Student Transition Programs Department

Orientation and NST

Department Website Link

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Location

Tucson Campus, Tucson, AZ USA

The Associate Director for New Student Transition Programs serves as a member of the Orientation and New Student Transitions leadership team and provides strategic and operational leadership for the department's portfolio of undergraduate transition initiatives. The position is responsible for designing, implementing, and advancing programs including New Start, Destination Arizona, Wildcat Welcome, and future transition programs and initiatives. The Associate Director oversees the planning, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of high-impact transition experiences that effectively support student success and advance departmental learning outcomes.

The position supervises professional staff, leads program operations, and fosters a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and service excellence.

Orientation and New Student Transitions advances the University of Arizona's commitment to Success for Every Student by creating transformative entry experiences for undergraduate students. Serving students, families, academic units, and campus partners, the department designs and delivers orientation and transition programs that foster belonging, academic readiness, and confidence in navigating the university's academic and support systems. Through innovation, collaboration, and service excellence, the department strives to create seamless transition experiences that connect students to the people, resources, and opportunities that define the Arizona experience.

With clarity and connection, students develop the confidence to navigate their university journey and establish their pathway to success.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

• Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Duties & Responsibilities Transition Program Strategy and Experience Design

• Leads the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of undergraduate transition programs and initiatives.
• Develops transformative experiences that support student belonging, engagement, academic readiness, and successful navigation of the university.
• Collaborates with staff and campus partners to design cohesive transition experiences that support students throughout their entry to the university.
• Evaluates student needs, emerging trends, and program outcomes to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of transition programs.
• Recommends and implements innovative approaches that enhance student learning, engagement, and transition outcomes.

Staff Leadership, Program Operations, and Campus Partnerships

• Supervises professional staff responsible for transition programs and initiatives.
• Provides leadership, coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to staff.
• Communicates departmental leadership direction, priorities, and expectations to staff, ensuring alignment and clarity across assigned programs and initiatives.
• Accountable for program operations, implementation timelines, resource coordination, and project management activities to ensure effective program delivery.
• Provides oversight of student leadership and student employment structures within assigned program areas.
• Accountable for the successful delivery of department-wide orientation, transition, and onboarding experiences through shared operational leadership and collaboration across program areas.
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with academic colleges, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, advising units, and other campus stakeholders.
• Collaborates with campus partners to design and deliver coordinated transition experiences and strengthen alignment with broader student success efforts.

Budget and Administrative Oversight

• Assists with budget planning, resource allocation, and fiscal stewardship for assigned programs and initiatives.
• Monitors program expenditures and operational resources.
• Supports procurement, contract management, and administrative processes as needed.
• Ensures compliance with university policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.

Program Assessment, Evaluation, and…