Director, University Orientation and Visit Experience

NODA; Kent (OH); On-site; USD 86,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent State University in Kent, Ohio seeks a Director, University Orientation and Visit Experience to lead development, implementation, and evaluation of new student orientation and visit programs for first-year and transfer students and their families.

The role oversees a staff team, coordinates with the AVP/Executive Director of Admissions, leverages the SLATE CRM, and collaborates across campus to ensure data‑driven planning and a seamless recruitment and transition to campus life.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education or a relevant field.
• Six years progressively responsible experience in admissions or new student orientation.
• Experience leading large-scale events and implementing data-driven strategies.

Responsibilities

• Create a strategic vision for on- and off-campus events and new student orientation to provide a seamless recruitment and orientation experience.
• Create assessment plan to evaluate effectiveness of visit and orientation programs.
• Collaborate with colleges to make data-driven decisions on visitor events, orientation scheduling, advisor appointments, program content, and logistics.
• Implement best practices of integrating technology into visit and orientation experience to maximize recruitment and student transition.
• Participate in professional development opportunities, including presenting workshops and seminars for units on campus related to orientation and transition issues.
• Coordinate with regional or national organizations related to campus visit experience (CIVSA) and orientation and/or first-year transitions (NODA).
• Coordinate with CRM SLATE to support visit and orientation experience.
• Establish and maintain exchange of information with Kent State offices and campuses to share best practices.
• Provide supervision of staff, including graduate assistants.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Event management

Written communication

Interpersonal communication

Data analysis

Project management

Education

Master’s degree in higher education or relevant field

Tools

SLATE CRM

Job description

Job Title:

Director, University Orientation and Visit Experience

Physical Location:

This position is based on the Kent Campus and is an in-person role.

Salary:

$86,249 - $90,000

Basic Function:

Responsible for the leadership, strategic visioning, and evaluation of orientation and visit programs for new and prospective first year and transfer students as well as their parents and families. The director works with a team of staff members. Reports to Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Admissions.

Additional Basic Function – if applicable:

Not applicable.

Examples of Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Work directly with the AVP/Executive Director of Admissions to create a strategic vision for on- and off-campus events and new student orientation and provide a seamless recruitment and orientation experience.
• Create assessment plan to evaluate effectiveness of visit and orientation programs.
• Collaborate with colleges to make data-driven decisions on visitor events, orientation scheduling, advisor appointments, program content, and program logistics.
• Implement best practices of integrating technology into visit and orientation experience to maximize recruitment and student transition to campus.
• Participate in professional development opportunities, including presenting workshops and seminars for units on campus related to orientation and transition issues.
• Participate in regional or national organizations related to campus visit experience (CIVSA) and orientation and/or first-year transitions (NODA).
• Coordinate with departmental leadership to optimize use of CRM system (SLATE) to support visit and orientation experience.
• Establish and maintain the collaborative exchange of information and data with other Kent State administrative and academic offices and campuses, including sharing visit and orientation best practices.
• Provide direct supervision of unclassified and classified staff, including graduate assistants.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Additional Examples of Duties – if applicable:

Not applicable.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree in higher education or a relevant field. Six years progressively responsible experience in admissions or new student orientation.

License/Certification:

None.

Knowledge Of:

• Academic programs
• Effective recruitment strategies and techniques
• Effective execution of a CRM system

Skill In:

• Written and interpersonal communication
• Analysis, problem solving and project management
• Managing large-scale events
• Making data driven decisions regarding programmatic efforts

Ability To:

• Understand and stay current on research and best practices related to orientation, first-year student, and general student development research to support the transition of first-year, transfer, and international students into post-secondary education
• Understand and advocate for the needs of diverse student populations within visit and orientation programming
• Work closely with and demonstrate sensitivity to individuals with diverse backgrounds
• Provide leadership and direction to the department
• Support goals and initiatives of the department
• Stay current with ongoing and emerging trends nationwide regarding campus visits and transition programs
• Work with individuals at all organizational levels, particularly peers, other departments, and students
• Travel from building to building frequently and off campus occasionally

Preferred Qualifications – if applicable:

None.

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which require assessments

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

None.

Working Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM, or otherwise discussed with your leadership.

Additional Information:

The priority application deadline is October 16, and the position will remain open through October 30.

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.

Must pass a security check.

For official job descriptions, visit www.kent.edu/hr.

Kent State University is a Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free University effective July 1, 2017. Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on any of Kent State’s campuses or other locations and properties that are owned, operated, or leased by Kent State, both domestic and international. For additional details, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free.