Associate Director for Family Engagement

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition assistance

VT discounts

Job summary

Virginia Tech is seeking an Associate Director for Family Engagement to join the New Student and Family Programs team in Blacksburg, VA. This Regular twelve-month administrative role focuses on a lifecycle-based approach to family engagement to support student success and institutional goals.

You will lead program development, assessment and cross-campus collaboration to keep families informed and connected to resources that enhance student transition and retention.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in student personnel, higher education or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in family engagement, student affairs or orientation.
• Strong understanding of student development and the role families play in student transition.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for diverse audiences.
• Experience in program development, assessment and strategic planning.
• Ability to design programs reflecting diverse family experiences.
• Advising/supervision experience with staff leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation and assessment of family engagement programs and services.
• Serve as strategic leader aligning family engagement with Student Affairs priorities.
• Collaborate across campus to inform and connect families with resources.
• Provide leadership to one full-time professional and supervise 3-5 student employees.
• Grow into developmental opportunities within the department and division.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Advising/supervision

Program development

Assessment

Strategic planning

Staff leadership

Education

Master's degree in student personnel, higher education or related field

Job description

Job Description

We're currently searching for an Associate Director for Family Engagement to join our New Student and Family Programs team in Blacksburg, VA to help us in our mission of enhancing the student transition experience by fostering inclusive, supportive, and learning-centered experiences. So, if you're passionate about supporting student success, please keep reading.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ROLE

• You’ll be joining the New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) team; a department centered on enhancing the student transition experience by fostering inclusive, supportive, and learning-centered experiences.
• You’ll be reporting to the Director of New Student and Family Programs, in a Regular twelve-month, 100% administrative professional appointment.
• You’ll serve as a strategic leader within Student Affairs responsible for advancing a comprehensive, lifecycle-based approach to family engagement that supports student success and strengthens institutional alignment. This position plays a critical role in aligning family engagement efforts with broader Student Affairs priorities and institutional advancement goals.
• You’ll lead the development, implementation, and assessment of programs and services designed to engage families as partners in the student experience.
• You’ll work collaboratively across campus to ensure families are informed, supported, and connected to resources that contribute to student transition, retention, and overall success.
• You’ll provide leadership to one full-time professional and indirectly supervise 3-5 student employees.
• You’ll have the chance to grow and take advantage of a developmental plan with opportunities to advance within the Department and the Division.
• You’ll be offered a base compensation package between $75,000 - $80,000, along with a full comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, paid leave, retirement, tuition assistance, VT discounts, and so much more!

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING AT VIRGINIA TECH

• The UNIVERSITY: Virginia Tech as an employer is committed to developing well-rounded employees who are active members of the university community as well as the community at-large. From comprehensive insurance plans to tuition assistance, Virginia Tech offers employees a variety of benefits and perks to help team members build a fuller and more balanced life.
• The DIVISION: For our students and ourselves, the Division of Student Affairs believes that changing the world requires courageous leadership and commitment to curiosity, integrity, civility, and service to others. Our culture is defined by a commitment to our Aspirations for Student Learning.
• The TEAM: The team in New Student and Family Programs holds a deep passion for working with people, taking initiative (and following through), and we are genuinely excited to continuously learn and grow our knowledge of the college transition experience.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in student personnel, higher education or a related field and work experience in collegiate student affairs, student activities, orientation, transfer, and first-year programming.
• Demonstrated experience in family engagement, student affairs, orientation programs, or related areas.
• Strong understanding of student development and the role families play in student transition and success.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Experience in program development, assessment, and strategic planning.
• Ability to design programs that reflect and support a wide range of family experiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Advising/supervision experience with the ability to lead a staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of student and family learning, development theory, and practice.
• Working knowledge of family needs in the areas of orientation, transition, and retention.
• Demonstrated knowledge of transitional needs for families, including special populations such as transfer students, veteran students, international students, and other special-population students.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$75,000 - $80,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

12/01/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the Office for Civil Rights Compliance and Prevention Education at 540-231-2010 or Virginia Tech, 220 Gilbert Street, Suite 5200, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Luciana Monika at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.