Senior Manager of New Student Orientation and Transition Programs

Weekly work hours: 40. FLSA status: Exempt. Position type: Staff. All positions are on-site; after six months, some roles may qualify for hybrid arrangements based on job needs, supervisor approval, and Dallas College policy. Academic (Faculty) positions require an on-campus presence, even when teaching online.

About the Role

Under the general supervision of the Director of New Student Orientation, the Sr. Manager of New Student Orientation and Transition Programs will have primary responsibility for the coordination, implementation, and assessment of programs that support new students’ transition and orientation to Dallas College. The Sr. Manager will assist the Director with developing and implementing the New Student Orientation program, train and supervise a team of student leaders, and work with key stakeholders to implement college-wide first-year student programming. This role also manages aspects of the Dallas College campus visit experience and collaborates with Student Success, Recruitment and Outreach, and Academic Affairs personnel.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the planning and implementation of New Student Orientation sessions across all Dallas College campus locations, including online and face-to-face orientation.
• Collaborate with key campus constituencies to deliver orientation and transition programs for new students, including special populations served by Dallas College.
• Evaluate, enhance, and update new student orientation content and formats to increase efficacy and relevance, align with guided pathways, and address the needs of various student populations.
• Supervise part-time staff and student workers.
• Collaborate with relevant operational areas to implement online orientation programming, including content development, production, analytics reporting, and technical integration.
• Support and manage aspects of the Dallas College campus tours experience.
• Serve as the student contact for NSO logistics and inquiries related to orientation.
• Collaborate with various college departments and offices to ensure alignment and integration of orientation programs with other student success initiatives and resources.
• Assist with developing staff training opportunities and publications related to the orientation and transition of new students.
• Prepare and facilitate presentations, data, and reports related to NSO and transition programs.
• Coordinate the recruitment, selection, training, and management of student staff to support the orientation and transition needs of Dallas College.
• Collaborate with other college departments to plan, implement, and evaluate programming, initiatives, and events for new and first-year students.
• Act as an active consultant to all programs supporting new students’ transition and orientation to the college.
• Evaluate all orientation and transition programs to highlight return on investment, successes, and recommendations for improvements.
• Develop, train, and implement a successful student-led tour guide program; regularly observe and assess tours and arrange training and professional development for effective presentations.
• Maintain accurate records of campus visit registrations, attendance, and feedback to track visit metrics and support data-informed decision-making.
• Stay informed about current trends and best practices in First-Year Experience, Orientation, and Transition programs.
• Assist the Director of New Student Orientation and Transition with budget development and management of campus interests and inventory.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in orientation, transition and retention, or transferable skills from related areas in higher education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Higher Education or a related field.
• Experience in event planning and coordination, as well as program implementation and evaluation.
• Demonstrated use of student recruitment strategies, orientation theories and processes, and an understanding of orientation trends and challenges in higher education.
• Experience with current and emerging technology related to recruitment, orientation, and transition efforts, including expertise with enrollment management systems, customer relationship management systems, and web-based recruitment efforts.
• Bilingual or multi-language skills.

Skills

• Strong customer service orientation with excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate and manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of the purpose of community colleges and the vision of Dallas College.
• Experience in supervision/leadership in university management to hire, select, train, direct work, evaluate and reward performance, and ensure performance accountability for student employees.
• Demonstrated decision-making skills to independently and effectively make decisions impacting department and campus-wide programs.
• Knowledge of student development theory, techniques, and research associated with ensuring student success.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and institutional policies, regulations, and guidelines related to student orientation and transition programs.
• Ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines.
• Experience leading or managing major programs, events, and/or initiatives, including knowledge and skill in process improvement, conflict resolution, team building, customer service, and data-based decision-making.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively—verbally and in writing—complex ideas and information to a variety of stakeholders within the Dallas College community.

Pay

Salary minimum: $77,200.00 annually (Staff Range N07).