Director, Orientation Programs

Job Description Summary

The Director of Orientation Programs is the institutional leader responsible for visioning, strategic direction, and delivery of new‑student orientation and transition support for all incoming undergraduate first‑year and transfer students across Seattle University’s First Hill and South Lake Union campuses. The role emphasizes support for traditionally under‑represented student populations and tailors onboarding to the unique needs of each school or college.

Work Model

Full‑time, 12‑month position; on‑site in Seattle.

Essential Functions

• Strategic Leadership and Vision (40%)
  • Lead university‑wide strategy for new‑student onboarding aligned with Seattle University’s mission.
  • Design, implement, and assess in‑person and online transition curricula.
  • Analyze data and prepare metrics reports for campus partners and senior leadership.
  • Develop proactive and reactive responses to student progress, focusing on high‑melt‑risk students.
  • Craft individualized support for diverse populations, including adult learners, BIPOC, commuter, exchange, first‑generation, honors, international, LGBTQ+, scholar cohorts, student‑athletes, transfer, and veteran/military‑connected students.
  • Maintain knowledge of onboarding needs for Cornish College of the Arts students.
  • Implement behavior‑driven anti‑melt communications to drive completion of New Student Checklist tasks.
  • Develop strategic plans, goals, and measurable objectives for Orientation Programs.
  • Lead regular new‑student cohort check‑in meetings in collaboration with Admissions, Housing & Residence Life, and University Advising.
  • Coordinate with 35+ university departments to deliver a seamless orientation experience.
  • Conduct benchmarking with peer institutions and review leading‑edge research for applicability.
• Program and Event Coordination (35%)
  • Manage 20+ university‑wide in‑person orientation events annually, ranging from one‑day to week‑long experiences.
  • Oversee daily operations: scheduling, content, space setup, catering, transportation, equipment rentals, contracts, staffing, technology, and campus access.
  • Coordinate parent, family, and supporter onboarding events and communications.
  • Design, operate, and enhance the Orientation Portal in Slate CRM.
  • Serve as lead event coordinator for New Student Convocation.
  • Coordinate Early Bird Immersion early‑arrival programs and scholarships.
  • Co‑lead the Move‑In Experience Committee with Housing & Residence Life staff.
  • Administer ALEKS Math Placement Assessment.
  • Create resource guides and online learning modules for incoming students and families.
  • Co‑coordinate advising and registration processes 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.
  • Integrate faculty and academic affairs into orientation programming.
• Departmental Leadership (25%)
  • Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff (1 full‑time coordinator, 2 part‑time graduate assistants, 45+ undergraduate orientation leaders).
  • Conduct assessment, evaluation, and data reporting of departmental programs.
  • Develop multi‑year financial plans and manage the departmental budget.
  • Maintain operational knowledge of both campus locations to support event management and onboarding.
  • Serve as primary speaker for all orientation events.
  • Benchmark, calculate, and manage revenue from orientation fees and related program fees.
  • Participate as a member of the Student Success Leadership Committee.
  • Oversee departmental web presence, social media, and the Orientation Guidebook app.
  • Promote a campus culture of shared responsibility for new‑student onboarding.
  • Educate campus partners on research and best practices and facilitate collaborative implementation.
  • Establish and sustain sponsor partnerships with community businesses.
  • Support campus partner events through staffing and co‑hosting.
• Marginal Job Functions
  • Participate in divisional and campus committees.
  • Represent the division and university to external constituents, including professional associations.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education or a related field and five years of progressive experience in student affairs, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and social justice aligned with the university’s mission.
• Effective skills in building and sustaining campus relationships and collaborative work.
• Supervisory or mentorship experience with students.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and team‑building abilities.
• Ability to work one‑on‑one with students, staff, and faculty.
• Understanding of student development and services in a Jesuit higher‑education context.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Successful completion of a criminal‑history background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in higher education or a related field and seven years of experience with orientation or transition programs.
• Proven ability to navigate diverse interests of multiple campus stakeholders.
• Leadership and staff supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of the specialized student populations listed in the essential functions.
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills; ability to multitask.
• Experience managing budgets, assessment, strategic planning, and reporting.
• Skilled use of technology, social media, and communication campaigns.
• Prior experience with CRM platforms (e.g., Slate).

Pay

Salary range: $88,000 – $92,000, with final compensation based on qualifications, budget, equity considerations, and market data.

Benefits

• Choice of three medical plans, plus dental and vision coverage.
• Life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability protection.
• Retirement contributions up to 10% of salary (5% nonelective + dollar‑for‑dollar match up to 5%).
• 100% tuition assistance for employee and dependents.
• Subsidized transportation benefit.
• Wellness program with free access to an on‑site fitness facility.
• Generous holiday schedule, including a paid December break, vacation, sick leave, and community‑service leave.
• Access to a wide variety of campus events and activities.