Executive Director for New Student, Transitions and Family Programs

Excel Campus Activities

Posting Details

Position Information

Posting Number S06849P Position Title Executive Director for New Student, Transitions and Family Programs Department Student Orientation Location Arlington Position Status Full-time Work Schedule

Monday- Friday; 8:00am-5:00pm

Salary Salary is commensurate based on qualifications and relevant experience. Pay Basis Monthly Job Summary

The Executive Director for New Student, Transition, and Family Programs serves on the Division of Student Affairs Leadership Team and reports to the Assistant Vice President for Student Success and Transition. The Executive Director is responsible for the development, planning, and implementation of a high-profile, dynamic, and student-centered New Maverick Orientation for all new students and their families, as well as other programs that serve special populations in the UTA community. The Executive Director collaborates with Student Affairs departments and a broad array of Academic Affairs administrative units, including Admissions, Student Success, and academic college leadership, to develop programs and services that provide students a seamless transition to the University and promote student engagement, success, and retention.

The annual salary for this position ranges from $80,000 to $100,000. The final offer will be based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and overall fit for the role.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

  • Develop, plan, and implement a high-profile, dynamic, and student-centered orientation program (including 1-day, 2-day, and virtual options) for all new first-year, transfer, and international undergraduate students and their families, serving more than 14,000 incoming students and their 2,000 family members annually. This position will also further develop our graduate orientation programs.
  • Oversee the daily management of the New Student, Transition, and Family Programs within Student Affairs, directly supervising multiple professional staff members and paraprofessionals, including the Director of Transition Programs and Services, the Director of Parent and Family Engagement, the Program Assistant Director of Orientation Programs, the Program Assistant Director of Leadership and Development Programs, and an Administrative Assistant.
  • Leads the implementation and facilitation of new student programming, including, but not limited to New Maverick Orientation, Blaze Camp, Early Arrival Move-In Orientation, Maverick Kickoff, Convocation, and other related Student Affairs initiatives.
  • Create and advance a strategic vision and priorities for New Student, Transition, and Family Programs that support the successful transition and retention of new students, with particular attention to populations served by the department.
  • Lead the development and implementation of short- and long-term goals, initiatives, and assessment plans to evaluate program effectiveness, learning outcomes, and overall impact of orientation and transition services.
  • Manage and serve as the primary campus administrator for orientation and transition technology platforms, including Visual Zen, Advantage Design Group Online Orientation, and Canvas orientation modules, ensuring functionality, compliance, and effective user experience.
  • Support the development and implementation of family programming and communication, including Friends and Family Weekend, guest orientation and welcome events, and First Generation, Transfer, and Off-campus initiatives to cultivate strong partnerships with families of all UTA students.
  • Direct the development and management of orientation registration processes in Visual Zen in coordination with Admissions.
  • Serve on and coordinate with the university-wide Yield, Onboarding, and Retention (YORC) Committee and other campus stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition for new, transfer, international, and graduate students into the university.
  • Serve as a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team to develop an orientation schedule and capacities, as well as address registration issues.
  • Oversee the recruitment, selection, and training of a large and diverse undergraduate student orientation leader team.
  • Oversee the communication planning process as well as the management of departmental website, publications, and electronic messaging, in collaboration with Student Affairs.
  • Marketing and Communications and Enrollment Management as appropriate.
  • Oversee and manage a variety of annual revenue budget of approximately $1.3 million.
  • Manage fiscal strategy and conduct regular budget analysis, including expenditure projections and year-end balance management.
  • Serve on a variety of university committees as requested and directed.
  • Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in higher education administration, counseling, college student personnel, or a related field.
  • Five (5) years of student affairs or related professional work experience.
  • Prior experience in new student orientation and first-year experience programs is required.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Seven (7) or more years of professional experience, with significant experience in orientation/first-year programs, as well as familiarity with programs and services for family members, first-generation students, former transfer students, and other student communities who receive support from the departments overseen by the role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Excellent program planning and implementation skills.
  • Demonstrated understanding of academia to achieve results in cross-functional environment.
  • Demonstrated skills in supervision 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 their concerns.
  • Strategic planning, budget preparation and management skills.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking (presentation skills), negotiation and conflict resolution.
  • Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying backgrounds.
  • Committed to fostering a equitable workplace culture.
  • Ability to achieve goals; establish unit priorities; develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range unit goals; formulate policy and organize/manage resources; and examine and re-engineer operations and procedures.

Other Requirements Workplace and Eligibility Conditions Benefits Eligible Yes Benefits at UTA

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

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

Benefits

To help you understand the full value of these benefits, we have created a tool that calculates the total worth of your compensation package. This tool takes into account all of the benefits that you are eligible for, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. To access this tool and learn more about the total value of your benefits, please click on the following link:

https://resources.uta.edu/hr/services/records/compensation-tools.php

CBC Requirement

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a criminal background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.

This position may have access to critical infrastructure as defined by Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If so, to be hired for and continue to be employed in this position you must maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure as set forth in Texas Executive Order GA-48. By assuming this position, and if you have access to critical infrastructure, you authorize the University to conduct routine background checks.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University’s compliance with this policy.

University Information

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution, UTA is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of more than 42,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution and nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and service. It ranks No. 5 in Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges” and is the top university in North Texas for its graduates’ salaries (The Wall Street Journal). UTA is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and is No. 6 for undergraduate ethnic diversity in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). With a global alumni network of approximately 280,000 – including leaders at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas – UTA contributes an estimated $29 billion annually to the Texas economy.

UTA is expanding its regional footprint by building a regional campus, called UTA West, in Parker County on the far west side of Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open in fall 2028. This initiative aligns with the university’s strategic growth and commitment to serving the broader community. Furthermore, UTA has launched the RISE 100 initiative, aiming to recruit 100 new tenure-system faculty to strengthen its research enterprise and leadership in key academic areas. Learn more at https://www.uta.edu/administration/president/strategic-plan/rise100.

This is an exciting time to join UTA and contribute to its bold vision for the future.

ADA Accommodations

The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email [email protected].

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1 Open Until Filled Minimum Number of References Required 3 Maximum Number of References Accepted 3 Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must include in their online resume the following information: 1) Employment history: name of company, period employed (from month/year to month/year), job title, summary of job duties and 2) Education: school name, degree type, and major.

Requirement Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  • * What is the highest level of education attained?
    • GED
    • High School Diploma
    • Associate's Degree
    • Bachelor's Degree
    • Master's Degree
    • PhD or equivalent
  • * How many years of experience do you have with advising, student development and supervision, peer mentor programs, teaching, tutoring, supplemental instruction, first year seminars, first year programming, or equivalent student success initiatives?
    • None/less than 3 years.
    • 3 to 4 years
    • 5 to 6 years
    • 7 years or more
  • * How many years of experience do you have in leadership, project management or management?
    • None/less than 2 years
    • 2 to 3 years
    • 4 to 5 years
    • 6 years or more
  • * How many years of supervisory experience do you have?
    • None/less than 1 year
    • 1 to 2 years
    • 3 to 4 years
    • 5 years or more
  • * Please indicate whether you have completed any UTA Leadership Development programs.
    • Aspiring Leaders Program
    • MavsSupervisor Success Program
    • MavsManager Foundations Program
    • Leading People Credential (completion grants supervisory experience credit for internal entry-level supervisory roles)
    • None of the above

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

  • Resume or CV
  • Cover/Interest Letter

Optional Documents

How to apply

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