Director, New Student Orientation

Summary

The mission of the Office of New Student and Family Orientation at Virginia Commonwealth University is to provide support for successful transitions for all new VCU students including first-year, transfer, adult, and non-traditional students. In collaboration with stakeholders and campus partners, the office will provide meaningful opportunities for student and family orientation and engagement.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Summer Studies and Special Programs, the Director of New Student and Family Orientation will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight for successful and innovative orientation and transition programs and events at VCU. The Director will serve as the primary contact for the Orientation Planning Team and Advisory Board. This position requires collaboration with the campus community and the ability to plan and provide comprehensive, high-quality orientation and transition programs that align with the strategic plans of the University and the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success.

Primary Responsibilities:

Lead, monitor, and assess all aspects of the new student orientation programs for incoming first-year, transfer, and adult students and their families.
Plan and implement innovative programs designed to enhance student transition, success, and retention.
Direct the New Student Orientation Planning Team and Advisory Board, identify and cultivate relationships with on-campus and off-campus NSO stakeholders.
Manage and Coordinate student leadership through a programming effort utilizing the Federal Work-Study Program.
In coordination with SEMSS Student Communications, develop a coherent and comprehensive communication and marketing plan for students and their families that will include websites, e-newsletters, and other state-of-the-art communication techniques.
Lead an Orientation staff consisting of an assistant director, graduate assistants, residential orientation manager, orientation leaders, senior staff members, and office assistants.
In coordination with Alumni Relations, assist in the implementation of the fall New Student Convocation program.
Attend conferences and workshops promoting VCU’s New Student Program’s orientation and University collaboration plan.
In coordination with campus partners, lead a series of “Summer Send-Offs” for first-year students and their families.
Supervise Assistant Director
Perform other administrative duties as assigned.

Minimum Hiring Standards:

Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, event management, or related field required.
Three and a half years’ experience in coordination of large-scale programs and events focusing on the transition needs of new students and their families.
A thorough understanding of the transitional needs of all new students and their families.
Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, training, and supervision.
Commitment to working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, student-centered environment along with demonstrated attention to detail.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
Participation in collaborative efforts and advisory boards and demonstrated ability to build partnerships.
Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).
Excellent professional judgment and the ability to make decisions related to the management of issues and sensitive information.
Computer skills to include word processing, creation/utilization of spreadsheets, database application, presentation design.

Preferred Hiring Standards:
Budget preparation and management.
5-7 years’ experience in coordination of large-scale programs and events focusing on the transition needs of new student and their families.

Salary Range: up to $85,000 commensurate with experience



Position Details:

Position will remain open through November 5th.
University Job Title: Senior Administrator, Student Services (35914)

Department: Division of Strategic Enrollment Management & Student Success
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 100
Exemption Status: Exempt



Contact Information:

Contact Name: Meredith Lane

Contact Email: mlane2@vcu.edu