Associate Director **Internal Only**


Position Overview

The Center for Orientation and Transition Programs (OTP) is responsible for providing orientation, onboarding, and programs to aid in student transition at the University of Kansas. OTP is a unit within Academic Success, a division of Academic Affairs. OTP provides new student orientation programs for all incoming domestic undergraduate students, leads transfer onboarding efforts, hosts welcome programs such as Hawk Week and other programs meant to ease the transition to college in the first year, and provides online student orientation and onboarding support.

The Associate Director of the Center for Orientation and Transition Programs reports to the Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Success. This position provides leadership for a coordinated set of programs that offer new and continuing undergraduate students clear pathways to campus information and resources, individual connections to staff and faculty, and shared experiences to enhance community and support collaborative learning.

The Associate Director supervises the day-to-day operations of the Center for Orientation Transition Programs, which includes six full-time staff and a team of undergraduate and graduate student staff. This position must work collaboratively and intentionally to develop and cultivate relationships across the university. This position ensures that KU’s Orientation and Transition Programs remain in line with best practices and innovate to contribute to a positive student experience.

Job Description

50% - Leadership and Management:

  • Responsible for the planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of all programs for the Center for Orientation and Transition Programs. Utilizes best practices, research, and theory to establish collaborative, proactive, student-centered initiatives and services.
  • Establishes and maintains a culture of assessment and data analysis to ensure programs, initiatives, and processes align with established student learning outcomes, Academic Success priorities, and institutional mission and priorities.
  • Prepares semester and yearly reports for the Assistant Vice Provost.
  • Fosters highly collaborative and communicative partnerships with campus and community partners, including Academic Success units, Academic units, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Academic Affairs, to bring greater coherence to the welcome and transition experience for all students at the University of Kansas.
  • Works with Information Technology (IT), Student Information Systems, Public Affairs, and Academic Success Operations to leverage technology solutions to strengthen communication with students and their families as they transition to KU and support efficient data collection, management, and outreach to students.
  • Actively participates in professional development to remain current on student orientation, melt-reduction, and engagement and retention strategies.

30% -Supervision & Resource Management:

  • Manages the overall professional staff of OTP, including the Assistant Director and coordinator levels. Oversees the hiring and training of varying staff levels, including an Orientation Assistant student team.
  • Directs the activities of and evaluates the performance of professional staff.
  • Provides guidance and coordination of professional development opportunities and mentoring for professional and student staff to enhance program quality.
  • Contributes to OTP budget. Make budgetary recommendations and manage resources efficiently and effectively.
  • Utilizes data and learning outcomes to help inform how resources are aligned to best support and advance program, division, and institutional priorities.

15% - Program Planning and Implementation

  • Leads planning and implementation for New Student Orientation programs for on-ground and online undergraduate and graduate students, Transfer Onboarding programs, Hawk Week, Winter Welcome and other transition programs. Ensure programs are designed and delivered for appropriate student audiences, including online and in-person programs.
  • Collaborates with key campus constituencies to ensure orientation programs meet their needs.
  • Establishes and implements Orientation programming for parents and families of incoming students.
  • In collaboration with marketing and other campus programs, oversee the development of publications, communication plans, social media, and websites to market and recruit prospective KU students.
  • Collaborates with Jayhawk Academic Advising, Enrollment Management, and other key constituents to ensure new students are advised and enroll in classes as a component of their Orientation experience.

5% - Other related duties:

  • Represents the Center for Orientation and Transition Programs on various campus committees and working groups.
  • Serves as a member of the Academic Success Leadership Team.
  • Assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant Vice Provost.

Required Qualifications

  1. Master’s degree in college student personnel, higher education administration, education, counseling, or a related field.
  2. A minimum of three years’ full-time professional experience leading programs focused on first-year students, student retention/success, orientation programs, or related experience.
  3. A minimum of three years experience providing supervision to staff.
  4. Demonstrated experience in program assessment, evaluation, and the use of data to inform program modifications based on application materials.
  5. Previous experience working collaboratively across a wide range of styles at all levels of the organization.
  6. Strong written and verbal communication skills, as demonstrated by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

  1. Direct experience leading orientation, onboarding and transition programs for undergraduate students.
  2. Knowledge and working understanding of principles, practices, and procedures involved in orientation program development including student development theory, best practices, emerging trends, and current issues.
  3. Experience working with student recruitment and admissions processes.
  4. Demonstrated history of working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to improve the student experience.
  5. Previous experience managing university budgets.
  6. Previous experience using Slate or other orientation event management software.

Additional Candidate Instructions

A complete application includes:
  1. Resume or curriculum vitae
  2. Cover letter addressing how the required and, if applicable, preferred qualifications are met.
  3. Contact information of 3 professional references.
Application review begins September 30, 2024. To ensure consideration, please apply before this date.

Contact Information to Applicants

Abby Coffin
acoffin@ku.edu

Advertised Salary Range

Starts at $71,000-73,000

Work Schedule

40 hours/week

Application Review Begins

Monday September 30, 2024

Anticipated Start Date

Monday October 21, 2024

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Posting Information

  • Posting ID:  29067BR
  • Department:  Ctr Orientation Transition Prg
  • Primary Campus:  University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
  • Assignment:  Hybrid
  • Reg/Temp:  Regular
  • Employee Class:  U-Unclassified Professional Staff
  • Review Begins:  30-Sep-2024

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