Associate Director, New Student Transition Programs

Arizona International; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 66,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition reduction for employee and a+

Job summary

The University of Arizona is seeking an Associate Director for New Student Transition Programs on the Tucson campus. This leadership role directs undergraduate transition initiatives, including New Start, Destination Arizona, and Wildcat Welcome, with responsibility for strategy, design, delivery, assessment, and continuous improvement of student experiences.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree, 5+ years of related work experience including 2 years of managerial experience, and a proven

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning; 5+ years related work experience including 2 years of managerial experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Leads planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of undergraduate transition programs and initiatives.
• Develops transformative experiences that support student belonging, engagement, and academic readiness.
• Supervises professional staff and provides leadership, coaching, and professional development.
• Ensures effective program delivery through clear timelines, resource coordination, and partnerships.

Skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Associate Director, New Student Transition Programs

Associate Director, New Student Transition Programs

Posting Number req27523

Department Orientation and NST

Department Website Link https://enrollmentmanagement.arizona.edu/

Location Tucson Campus

Address Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights The Associate Director for New Student Transition Programs serves as a member of the Orientation and New Student Transitions leadership team and provides strategic and operational leadership for the department's portfolio of undergraduate transition initiatives. The position is responsible for designing, implementing, and advancing programs including New Start, Destination Arizona, Wildcat Welcome, and future transition programs and initiatives. The Associate Director oversees the planning, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of high-impact transition experiences that effectively support student success and advance departmental learning outcomes. The position supervises professional staff, leads program operations, and fosters a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and service excellence.

Orientation and New Student Transitions advances the University of Arizona's commitment to Success for Every Student by creating transformative entry experiences for undergraduate students. Serving students, families, academic units, and campus partners, the department designs and delivers orientation and transition programs that foster belonging, academic readiness, and confidence in navigating the university's academic and support systems. Through innovation, collaboration, and service excellence, the department strives to create seamless transition experiences that connect students to the people, resources, and opportunities that define the Arizona experience. With clarity and connection, students develop the confidence to navigate their university journey and establish their pathway to success.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Duties & Responsibilities

Transition Program Strategy and Experience Design

• Leads the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of undergraduate transition programs and initiatives.
• Develops transformative experiences that support student belonging, engagement, academic readiness, and successful navigation of the university.
• Collaborates with staff and campus partners to design cohesive transition experiences that support students throughout their entry to the university.
• Evaluates student needs, emerging trends, and program outcomes to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of transition programs.
• Recommends and implements innovative approaches that enhance student learning, engagement, and transition outcomes.

Staff Leadership, Program Operations, and Campus Partnerships

• Supervises professional staff responsible for transition programs and initiatives.
• Provides leadership, coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to staff.
• Communicates departmental leadership direction, priorities, and expectations to staff, ensuring alignment and clarity across assigned programs and initiatives.
• Accountable for program operations, implementation timelines, resource coordination, and project management activities to ensure effective program delivery.
• Provides oversight of student leadership and student employment structures within assigned program areas.
• Accountable for the successful delivery of department-wide orientation, transition, and onboarding experiences through shared operational leadership and collaboration across program areas.
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with academic colleges, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, advising units, and other campus stakeholders.
• Collaborates with campus partners to design and deliver coordinated transition experiences and strengthen alignment with broader student success efforts.

Budget and Administrative Oversight

• Assists with budget planning, resource allocation, and fiscal stewardship for assigned programs and initiatives.
• Monitors program expenditures and operational resources.
• Supports procurement, contract management, and administrative processes as needed.
• Ensures compliance with university policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.

Program Assessment, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

• Implements departmental assessment strategies and evaluation processes to measure program effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Utilizes assessment findings, student feedback, and institutional data to inform program enhancements and operational improvements.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and recommends improvements that support student success and departmental priorities.
• Supports departmental assessment and reporting efforts through the collection, analysis, and communication of program results.

Collaboration and Professional Engagement

• Performs other duties as assigned in support of Orientation and New Student Transitions, Enrollment Management, and university initiatives.
• Participates in committees, workgroups, project teams, and special assignments that support student success and institutional priorities.
• Engages with professional associations, emerging trends, and best practices to inform the development and continuous improvement of transition programs and initiatives.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships that support effective program delivery, student success, and organizational effectiveness.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Conceptual knowledge and expertise of concepts, principles, and practices with new student transition programs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of related work experience, including 2 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Experience overseeing orientation, transition, bridge, first-year experience, or student engagement programs.
• Experience supervising professional staff and student employees.
• Experience leading complex programs, initiatives, or functional areas.
• Experience managing multiple priorities, projects, budgets, and stakeholder relationships.
• Experience utilizing assessment and data to improve programs and student outcomes.
• Experience building collaborative partnerships across academic and administrative units.
• Active involvement in regional or national professional organizations related to orientation, transition, student affairs, or student success.

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Student Services

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay $65,687 - $85,393

Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade 9

Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity. The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level M2

Job Family Student Support

Job Function Student Services

Type of criminal background check required Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 1

Target Hire Date 12/7/2026

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates Kris Peabody | [e-mail]

Open Date 11/2/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures. Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].