Manager of Orientation & Access

University of New Mexico; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A state flagship institution in Albuquerque is seeking a Manager of Orientation & Access to lead and improve New Student Orientation programs. This role requires a candidate with a strong passion for student success and experience in orientation and student transition programming. The successful applicant will oversee various orientation initiatives and a million-dollar budget, ensuring all incoming students feel supported during their transition to university life.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; at least 6 years of experience.
• 2 years of management experience related to specified duties.
• Preferred: 5 years experience in student affairs or orientation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate New Student Orientation programs.
• Ensure programs are engaging and accessible.
• Oversee a ~$1 million budget for orientation programs.
• Manage a team responsible for orientation activities.
• Collaborate with academic colleges for student success.

Skills

Passion for student success

Understanding of best practices in orientation

Program evaluation and improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Higher Education or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Division of Student Affairs at the University of New Mexico (UNM) is pleased to announce a newly created role within the College Enrichment and Outreach Programs focused on influencing positive student outcomes through comprehensive orientation and access initiatives. The Manager of Orientation & Access position will be pivotal in shaping the strategic direction of New Student Orientation programs and is an exciting opportunity for an innovative leader passionate about shaping student transition programming and advancing the institution's mission centered on equitable academic excellence and student success practices.

The Manager of Orientation & Access position is best suited for a student affairs professional whose passion for student success, strong understanding of best practices in orientation and student transition, and ability to implement empirically-based programs to drive student enrollment, retention, and degree attainment is prominent. This position will have primary oversight of the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of orientation programs that serve over 7,000 new students annually, including First-Year, Transfer, Branch Transition, Returning, and Online students.

Situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, UNM is the state's flagship institution and serves a diverse population of over 25,000 students, offering a unique blend of cultural richness, academic excellence, research, and transformative student engagement experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, execution, and evaluation of New Student Orientation programs, ensuring they are engaging, inclusive, and accessible to all incoming students.
• Incorporate current research and empirical best practices in Orientation, Transition, and Retention to continuously improve program delivery and effectiveness.
• Develop and implement programs that increase access to higher education for underrepresented, first-generation, and rural students, ensuring that all students feel supported as they transition to UNM.
• Oversee a ~$1 million annual budget, generated by Student Fees and Donor Designations, ensuring sustainable program funding and fiscal responsibility.
• Manage a team of professional and student staff members who are responsible for various aspects of New Student Orientation including hiring, performance evaluation, goal-setting, coaching, training, work allocation, and problem resolution.
• Lead collaborative efforts with academic colleges, student support units, and other key stakeholders to ensure orientation programs are aligned with institutional goals for student success and retention.
• Develop and manage effective and timely communication plans to ensure incoming students and their families are well-informed about orientation timelines, expectations, and processes.
• Contribute to cross-collaborative efforts with unit-level colleagues to ensure a seamless transition from orientation to ongoing student engagement programs, such as first-year experience (FYE) courses and peer mentoring.

Qualifications

High school diploma or GED; at least 6 years of experience 2 of which are management level experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Preferred qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, or a related field, and minimum of 5 years of experience in student affairs, orientation, or student transition programs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.