Assistant Director of Orientation

James Madison University; Virginia, Harrisonburg (MN, VA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution in the heart of Virginia is seeking an Assistant Director of Orientation to lead and enhance student transition programs. This dynamic role involves planning and executing engaging Orientation experiences for new students, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported as they join the university community. The successful candidate will collaborate with various stakeholders, manage technical systems, and supervise staff to create a seamless onboarding process. If you're passionate about fostering student engagement and have a knack for event planning, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• One year of experience planning large events.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience supervising student or professional staff.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement Orientation programs for new students.
• Assist with technical support for Orientation systems.
• Recruit and supervise the Customer Service & Operations Coordinator.

Skills

Event Planning

Communication Skills

Technical System Management

Collaboration

Supervision

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree in Higher Education

Tools

Visual Zen

Salesforce

PeopleSoft

Adobe

Job description

Working Title: Assistant Director of Orientation

State Role Title: Administrative & Professional Faculty

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Health and Wellbeing

Department: 100165 - 1st Yr Experience/Orientation

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $54,000 - $57,732

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 06/05/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Office of Orientation and Transition is accepting applications for an Assistant Director of Orientation. Orientation and Transition engages students in the JMU learning environment by preparing them to be active and authentic members of the university community and is a part of the Division of Student Affairs. The Assistant Director of Orientation reports to the Associate Director of Orientation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Orientation Programs: Plan, coordinate, implement and assess Orientation programs for new students and their guests while creating continuity between Orientation and other transition programs. Orientation is a one-day program offered on-campus or virtually that welcomes about 4850 first-year and 600 transfer students each fall and about 300 transfer students each spring. Oversee the development and implementation of programs the virtual Orientation experience. Serve as technical support for sessions when necessary. Coordinate with key stakeholders including those who serve specific populations to ensure Orientation programs include necessary accommodations and connection among military connected student, first generation, centennial scholars, etc.

Reservation & Technical Support: Assist with the technical functionality of Visual Zen (the online Orientation reservation system), Salesforce (the University Customer Relationship Management/CRM system that includes Marketing Cloud), and PeopleSoft (the Student Administration system) setup, management, troubleshooting issues, improving processes, managing communications, and supporting user functionality. Manage the department website through Cascade (the University Content Management System/CMS).

Publications: Manage departmental publications (Mailer, Orientation folder, folder content, etc.) that contribute to the developmental transition to the university for incoming first-year and transfer students, and their guests. Collaborate with key campus stakeholders to manage the design and development process, including setting a timeline and approving new content. Collaborate with the department's graphic designer to manage production and ensure an exceptional deliverable. Assist with The One Book publication editing and proofing. Review and provide revisions to external publications (i.e., Family Handbook, Choices program, etc.) that contain orientation information.

Engagement: Create a vision for and establish a departmental communication plan that focuses on the transition of students from Admissions to Orientation. Establish a plan that will engage new students in timely, intentional, and developmentally appropriate dialogue related to the matriculation process specific to the New Student Checklist then to Orientation and finally to Weeks of Welcome. Collaborate with University Marketing & Branding and Student Affairs Communications and Marketing on content creation for programs.

Supervision: Recruit, train, and supervise the Customer Service & Operations Coordinator including exposure to professional development opportunities. Provide vision and leadership to the coordinator to support their responsibilities including the recruitment, training, and supervision of a student staff team who support the basic functions of the office such as providing exceptional customer service to new students, guests, and campus departments through email, phone, walk-in, social media and other.

Qualifications:

Required:
- Bachelor's degree
- One year of experience planning large events
- Experience learning new and using technical system(s)
- A record of collaboration across multiple stakeholders
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Experience supervising student or professional staff members
- A record of commitment to creating a welcoming environment

Preferred:
- Master's degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education, Counseling, or related field
- Two+ years of professional experience planning large scale programs in a higher education setting particularly in student affairs, especially in orientation and/or transition programs
- Experience managing and using technical systems such as Visual Zen, Salesforce, PeopleSoft, and Adobe
- A record of collaboration across campus with faculty and staff to implement programs
- Experience utilizing student development theory to develop student staff and new students
- Experience supervising professional and student staff

Additional Posting Information:

JMU's Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: [phone].

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.