Senior Coordinator for Orientation Programs

Clay Today; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University seeks a Senior Coordinator for Orientation Programs to lead graduate staff recruitment, training, supervision, and assessment within the Orientation and Transition Programs team. You will collaborate with campus partners to design and evaluate comprehensive orientation initiatives for incoming students and families.

The role also supports Admissions recruitment, operations, and yield efforts, and involves planning large-scale events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Professional experience in higher education.
• Knowledge of student development theory and leadership theory.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, training, and supervision to student employees.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment, selection, and onboarding for Orientation Leaders and graduate staff.
• Design and implement leadership training and evaluation for student staff.
• Oversee scheduling, timekeeping, and staff assignments for Orientation programs.
• Plan and execute large-scale orientation and transition events.
• Support Admissions recruitment, operations, and yield efforts.

Skills

Graduate staff leadership

Public speaking

Leadership

Time management

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Conflict resolution

Team supervision

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in higher education or related field

Job description

Senior Coordinator for Orientation Programs

Virginia Commonwealth University

Unit: Office of Strategic Enrollment Management

Department: Orientation and Transition Programs

Duties & Responsibilities:

As an integral member of the Orientation and Transition Programs (OTP) team within the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Global Initiatives, the Senior Coordinator for Orientation Programs supports the office's mission to successfully transition new students and establish a foundation for their academic success. This position leads the recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and assessment of graduate staff and student Orientation Leaders. Additionally, the Senior Coordinator collaborates with campus partners to design, execute, and evaluate comprehensive orientation and transition initiatives for incoming students and their families. As a member of the Strategic Enrollment and Admissions team, this position also directly supports Admissions recruitment, operations, and yield efforts.

Student Staff Leadership

Oversee the recruitment, selection, and onboarding process for new and returning Orientation Leaders, Senior Orientation Leaders, and graduate student staff. Directly supervise, mentor, and evaluate the student team leader team of up to 50 students (new, returning, and leadership roles) and graduate interns/assistant. Develop student leader outcomes in line with office, division, and university goals and oversee the evaluation of student leaders. Design and implement a comprehensive student leader training curriculum focused on leadership development, group facilitation, conflict resolution, key campus resources, and emergency response. Manage student staff scheduling for Orientation programs and events, ensure appropriate staff assignments that meet program needs, and oversee accurate timekeeping in RealTime.

Student Program Operations

Support the planning of the overall orientation experience for new students, including first-year and transfer students. Collaborate with campus partners and student leaders to create engaging and innovative student programming that aligns with office, division, and university goals. Assign student groups during Orientation sessions and ensure room reservations that meet space needs for small groups. Present at and facilitate the student Orientation program. Assist with the selection of Orientation materials and giveaways and maintain inventory to ensure sufficient materials are in the needed locations. Assist with the planning and execution of large-scale transition events for students including Summer Send-Offs, New Student Convocation, Weeks of Welcome events, and new initiatives related to new student transition and retention efforts. Provide on-call support for overnight Orientation programs, student leader conferences, and events or trips related to orientation and transition programming. Develop content for web and other office communications and platforms related to Orientation Leader recruitment, team updates, and orientation and transition programs. Serve as a Social Media Administrator for the office, assist with the office's social media accounts, and ensure adherence to relevant policies and brand standards with the support of a student intern.

Program Assessment and Evaluation

Assess and evaluate the student staff training and the student staff experience and present findings and recommendations to department leadership and key stakeholders. Develop the data collection methods to evaluate the student Orientation program effectiveness based on determined student learning outcomes and office, division, and university goals.

Admissions Support

Support recruitment, operations, and yield efforts, as needed. This includes, but is not limited to, staffing Open House and Preview Day events, other recruitment and yield events, processing applications, and presenting for campus visits. Teach a section of a one-credit student success course or equivalent educational opportunity Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Position Details:

This position is primarily in-person but does have the opportunity to create a flexible work arrangement (up to 40% working from home) to allow for a hybrid work schedule during the Orientation off-season. This position does require some evenings and weekend work in support of student staff training, Orientation and transition programs, and enrollment and yield events.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Professional experience in higher education.
• Relevant Graduate Assistant experience may be considered.
• Knowledge of student development theory, student identity development theory and leadership theory.
• Has a valid Driver's License.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Strong interpersonal skills and professional judgment and demeanor.
• Ability to stay focused, be efficient, overcome obstacles, and manage multiple priorities to achieve deadlines.
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify solutions to problems.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, training, and supervision to student employees.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling or other related field.
• Three or more years of experience in higher education.
• Professional experience in a functional area(s) that support the transition and retention of students and families (e.g. Orientation and Transition programs, First-Year Experience, Orientation Access and Opportunity Programs, Multicultural Affairs, Residence Life, Student Activities, Academic Advising, Leadership Development, etc.).
• Previous experience planning, implementing and assessing large-scale university programs.
• Experience with Slate or other similar Orientation or event registration systems.

Salary Range:

Up to $55,000

Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Hours per Week:

40

Restricted Position:

No

ORP Eligible:

No

Flexible Work Arrangement:

Hybrid

University Job Title:

35114N - Sr Coordinator SS 1

Posting Closes:

October 5th at 11:55PM