Executive Director of New Student Transition and Family Programs

The University of Texas at Arlington; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Arlington seeks an Executive Director for New Student, Transition, and Family Programs to provide strategic leadership for orientation, transition, and family engagement initiatives. You will oversee major programs and collaborate with Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to ensure a seamless transition for new students and their families.

Responsibilities include directing program development, supervising staff, managing budgets, and implementing innovative online and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, counseling, college student personnel, or related field with five years of relevant experience in new student orientation.
• Seven years of professional experience in orientation/first‑year programs.
• Familiarity with programs and services for family members, first‑generation students, and other student communities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for orientation, transition, and family programs and supervise staff.
• Lead implementation of major new student programs and campus initiatives.
• Direct orientation registration, onboarding, and retention coordination with campus partners.
• Oversee department budgets, assessment plans, and strategic planning.
• Coordinate outreach and family engagement activities and communications.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Program planning

Staff supervision

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Change management

Education

Master’s degree in higher education administration, counseling, college student personnel, or related field

Tools

Visual Zen

Slate

Canvas

CampusESP

Advantage Design Group Online Orientation

Job description

Purpose of Position

The Executive Director for New Student, Transition, and Family Programs provides strategic leadership for orientation, transition, and family engagement initiatives that support new student success, engagement, and retention. The role oversees major programs, collaborates with Student Affairs and Academic Affairs partners, and ensures a seamless transition experience for new students and their families.

Essential Functions

• Develop, plan, implement, and assess comprehensive orientation and transition programs for new first-year, transfer, international, and graduate students and their families, including in-person and virtual orientation options and related transition experiences.
• Provide strategic leadership and daily management for New Student, Transition, and Family Programs, including supervising professional staff, paraprofessionals, and student leaders; setting priorities; and advancing short- and long-term goals.
• Lead the implementation and facilitation of major new student programs and Student Affairs initiatives, including New Maverick Orientation, Blaze Camp, Early Arrival Move-In Orientation, Maverick Kickoff, Convocation, and related events.
• Direct orientation registration, onboarding, and retention coordination with Admissions, the Yield, Onboarding, and Retention Committee, Student Affairs leadership, and campus stakeholders to support a seamless transition experience.
• Oversee orientation and transition technology platforms, including Visual Zen, Slate, Advantage Design Group Online Orientation, CampusESP, and Canvas orientation modules, ensuring effective functionality, compliance, registration processes, and user experience.
• Develop and manage family engagement, communication, and outreach initiatives, including Friends and Family Weekend, guest orientation and welcome events, First Generation, Transfer, and Off-Campus initiatives, and departmental website, publications, and electronic messaging.
• Manage the department’s annual revenue budget, fiscal strategy, expenditure projections, year-end balances, assessment plans, and committee participation to support program effectiveness and departmental priorities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, counseling, college student personnel, or a related field and five (5) years of relevant experience to include experience in new student orientation and first‑year experience programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of professional experience with significant experience in orientation/first‑year programs.
• Familiarity with programs and services for family members, first‑generation students, former transfer students, and other student communities who receive support from departments.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to achieve goals.
• Ability to establish unit priorities.
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short‑and‑long‑range unit goals.
• Ability to formulate policy and organize/manage resources.
• Ability to examine and re‑engineer operations and procedures.
• Excellent program planning and implementation skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of academia to achieve results in a cross‑functional environment.
• Demonstrated supervision skills, including management practices and principles.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive work and educational environment for all UTA students and staff.
• Ability to assist students and parents with concerns.
• Strategic planning, budget preparation, and budget management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking, presentation, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying backgrounds.
• Commitment to fostering an equitable workplace culture.

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday; 8:00am through 5:00pm
• Available to work evenings and weekends as needed, particularly during orientation season

Benefits Information

Position is benefit eligible: Yes

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees at the University.

https://www.uta.edu/hr/employee-benefits