Senior Coordinator for Orientation Programs

About the role

Unit: Office of Strategic Enrollment Management, Department: Orientation and Transition Programs. As an integral member of the Orientation and Transition Programs (OTP) team within the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Global Initiatives, the Senior Coordinator for Orientation Programs supports the office’s mission to successfully transition new students and establish a foundation for their academic success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and assessment of graduate staff and student Orientation Leaders.
• Collaborate with campus partners to design, execute, and evaluate comprehensive orientation and transition initiatives for incoming students and their families.
• Support Admissions recruitment, operations, and yield efforts as a member of the Strategic Enrollment and Admissions team.
• Student Staff Leadership: Oversee recruitment, selection, and onboarding of Orientation Leaders, Senior Orientation Leaders, and graduate student staff; directly supervise, mentor, and evaluate the student team leader team of up to 50 students and graduate interns/assistants; develop student leader outcomes aligned with office, division, and university goals; design and implement a comprehensive student leader training curriculum covering leadership development, group facilitation, conflict resolution, key campus resources, and emergency response; manage student staff scheduling for Orientation programs and events, ensure appropriate staff assignments, and oversee accurate timekeeping in RealTime.
• Student Program Operations: Support planning of the overall orientation experience for first-year and transfer students; collaborate with campus partners and student leaders to create engaging programming; assign student groups during Orientation sessions and ensure room reservations; present at and facilitate the student Orientation program; assist with selection of Orientation materials and giveaways and maintain inventory; assist with planning and execution of large‑scale transition events (Summer Send‑Offs, New Student Convocation, Weeks of Welcome, and new initiatives); provide on‑call support for overnight Orientation programs, student leader conferences, and related trips; develop content for web and office communications; serve as Social Media Administrator for the office, managing social media accounts and ensuring brand standards.
• Program Assessment and Evaluation: Assess and evaluate student staff training and experience; develop data collection methods to evaluate Orientation program effectiveness based on student learning outcomes and office/division/university goals; present findings and recommendations to department leadership and stakeholders.
• Admissions Support: Support recruitment, operations, and yield efforts, including staffing Open House and Preview Day events, processing applications, presenting for campus visits; teach a section of a one‑credit student success course or equivalent; perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Professional experience in higher education.
• Relevant Graduate Assistant experience may be considered.
• Knowledge of student development theory, student identity development theory, and leadership theory.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Strong interpersonal skills and professional judgment and demeanor.
• Ability to stay focused, be efficient, overcome obstacles, and manage multiple priorities to achieve deadlines.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify solutions to problems.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, training, and supervision to student employees.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling