Months Per Year:12
Work Model:Onsite
Job Description SummaryThe Director of Orientation Programs serves as the institutional leader for visioning, strategic direction, and delivery of new student orientation and transition support initiatives for all incoming undergraduate first year and transfer students across the First Hill and South Lake Union campuses. This includes attention to support of traditionally underrepresented student populations and an expansive understanding of the unique onboarding needs of each school or college's programs at both campus locations. The Director leads the university's efforts to continuously strengthen and align the path from deposit to matriculation.
Position Description:The
Director of Orientation Programs serves as the institutional leader for visioning, strategic direction, and delivery of new student orientation and transition support initiatives for all incoming undergraduate first year and transfer students across the First Hill and South Lake Union campuses. This includes attention to support of traditionally underrepresented student populations and an expansive understanding of the unique onboarding needs of each school or college's programs at both campus locations. The Director leads the university's efforts to continuously strengthen and align the path from deposit to matriculation.
The Director is expected to function in a collaborative manner with a high degree of visibility and contact with students, families, staff, faculty, and administration. This role requires innovation and knowledge of leading-edge practices to enhance the experience of current student populations. In alignment with the university's commitment to student success, retention, and persistence, the director will use a framework of social justice and Jesuit education to deliver a comprehensive entry-year experience and celebration of key milestones.
Essential Functions:Strategic Leadership and Vision: 40%
- Lead university-wide strategy for new student onboarding in alignment with Seattle University's mission and institutional priorities.
- Assume responsibility for incoming students post-deposit up to and through the start of their first term.
- Design, implement, and assess in-person and online new student transition curriculum.
- Analyze and prepare data and metrics reports and presentations for campus partners and senior leadership in regular cadence leading up to start of each term.
- Strategize and deliver proactive and reactive responses to student progress through New Student Checklist tasks, with emphasis on high melt risk students.
- Craft and implement individualized support for unique populations, including but not limited to: Adult learners, BIPOC students, Commuter students, Exchange students, First Generation students, Honors students, International students, LGBTQ+ students, Scholar cohorts, Student Athletes, Transfer students, and Veteran and Military-Connected students.
- Maintain knowledge of unique onboarding needs for Cornish College of the Arts student experience.
- Implement behavior-driven anti-melt student and family communications plan to drive completion of essential onboarding tasks on New Student Checklist.
- Develop strategic plans, goals, and measurable objectives for Orientation Programs.
- Lead regular new student cohort check-in meetings and deliverables in collaboration with Admissions, Housing and Residence Life, and University Advising.
- Lead strategic collaborations with 35+ university departments to collectively deliver a seamless orientation experience
- Regularly conduct benchmarking with peer institutions and review research and leading-edge work in the field to evaluate for utility at Seattle University.
Program and Event Coordination: 35%
- Manage 20+ university-wide in-person orientation events annually including one-day, multi-day, overnight, and weeklong experiences
- Oversee daily program and event operations including schedule, content, space reservation/setup, catering, parking/transportation, equipment rentals, campus access, contracts, staffing, technology, and more.
- Coordinate parent, family, and supporter onboarding, including virtual/in-person events and communications in collaboration with Parent & Family Engagement
- Manage design, operation, and enhancements of Orientation Portal in Slate CRM, centralizing New Student Checklist, Advising & Registration, event registration, and communications
- Serve as lead event coordinator for New Student Convocation in collaboration with Office of the Provost.
- Coordinate Early Bird Immersion early arrival programs in collaboration with relevant campus partners, supporting event operations, registrations, and scholarships
- Co-lead Move-In Experience Committee with staff in Housing & Residence Life
- Serve as university administrator for ALEKS Math Placement Assessment
- Design new student resource guides and online learning modules to support incoming student and family learning and preparedness.
- Co-coordinate advising and registration processes for incoming students in collaboration with University Advising.
- Collaborate on Common Text program with University Core and First-Year Academic Engagement.
- Partner with Marketing & Communication on digital and print design assets in alignment with university branding
- Establish and continuously enhance strategic integration of faculty and academic affairs across orientation programming and services.
Departmental Leadership: 25%
- Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff, including one full-time administrative coordinator, two part-time graduate assistants, and 45+ undergraduate orientation leaders.
- Conduct assessment, evaluation, and data reporting of departmental programs.
- Develop multi-year, sustainable financial plans and manage departmental budget to align.
- Maintain breadth and depth of knowledge of operational processes across First Hill and South Lake Union campus to support event management and new student onboarding.
- Serve as primary speaker for all orientation events.
- Benchmark, calculate, and manage revenue related to orientation fees, guest fees, and other related program fees.
- Serve as a member of Student Success Leadership Committee.
- Oversee departmental web presence (website, social media) and Orientation (Guidebook) app. Promote a campus culture of shared responsibility for new student onboarding.
- Educate campus partners on research and best practices and collaboratively implement in a way fitting to Seattle University.
- Establish and sustain sponsor partnerships with community businesses.
- Support campus partner events through staffing presence and co-hosting programs and services.
Marginal Job Functions- Participate in divisional and campus committees.
- Represent the division and the university to external constituents, including at professional associations.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications- Master's degree in higher education and five years of progressive experience in student affairs with skills in administering and educational program or a related field required OR an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job as listed above.
- A demonstrated commitment to inclusion and social justice in alignment with the University's mission, vision and values
- Effective skills in building and sustaining campus relationships and working collaboratively.
- Demonstrated supervisory and/or mentorship skills with students.
- Effective communication, interpersonal and team-building skills. Ability to work effectively one-on-one with students, staff, and faculty.
- An understanding of and appreciation for student development and services in a Jesuit institution of higher education.
- A willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
- This position requires a criminal history background check.
Preferred Qualifications- Doctoral degree in higher education or related field and seven years working with orientation and/or transition programs.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully navigate the diverse interests of multiple campus stakeholders.
- Demonstrated leadership and staff supervisory experience.
- Knowledge and experience of specialized student populations listed above.
- Excellent verbal, written and organizational skills; capability to multi-task; demonstrated ability to manage budgets, develop and implement assessment; and strategic planning methods and reporting functions.
- Skilled use of technology, social media, and/or managing communication campaigns.
- Prior experience and training using CRM platforms.
Compensation at a Glance$88,000 - $92,000Application InstructionsPlease attach a cover letter with your resume when applying. Job postings are open until filled, unless otherwise specified.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.
Benefits at a GlanceConsistent with its fundamental Jesuit values, Seattle University offers a wide range of benefits designed to care for the whole person. Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs. Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage. Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%. You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events. Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave. For more information explore the Benefits website at: https://www.seattleu.edu/hr/benefits/
Positions designated as hybrid eligible may offer the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule after successful completion of an introductory period of 3-6 months. In these cases, the role typically begins fully on campus to support onboarding and training, with the potential to transition to a hybrid arrangement thereafter.
Positions designated as on-site are not eligible for hybrid work and are expected to remain fully on campus.
All flexible work arrangements are subject to periodic review and may be modified or discontinued at any time at the university's discretion.
