Director, Orientation and New Student Transitions

Student Transition Framework and Continuous Improvement Establishes, plans and directs the strategic vision and priorities for undergraduate orientation and transition initiatives in alignment with university strategic imperatives and the Success for Every Student framework. Creates and implements a coordinated transition framework and strategy that provides students with the right information, resources, and experiences at the right time throughout their entry to the university. Develops and maintains a comprehensive framework of learning outcomes for orientation and transition experiences that support student success, belonging, academic readiness, and navigation of university systems. Ensures orientation and transition frameworks, learning outcomes, and program strategies are informed by evidence-based practices, student development principles, and emerging trends in higher education. Leads assessment efforts to measure student learning, program effectiveness, engagement, and contribution to student success outcomes. Uses assessment findings, student feedback, institutional data, and emerging best practices to inform decision-making, continuous improvement, and innovation. Identifies evolving student needs and institutional priorities and ensures programs remain relevant, effective, and impactful. Establishes departmental goals, benchmarks, and performance indicators to evaluate success and inform strategic decision-making. Student Success Strategy, Partnerships and Experience Design Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with academic colleges, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, advising units, faculty, and campus partners to create seamless transition experiences. Serves as a thought partner and institutional leader in advancing strategies that support student engagement, persistence, and degree completion. Promotes alignment between orientation and transition initiatives and broader university student success efforts. Identifies opportunities to integrate services, reduce barriers, and improve the student experience. Collaborates across functional areas to ensure students experience a coordinated and connected transition into the university. Provides strategic oversight for undergraduate orientation, transition, onboarding, and related student success programs and initiatives. Ensures programs are intentionally designed around learning outcomes, student development principles, and institutional priorities. Guides program development and experience design to foster belonging, academic readiness, engagement, and connection to the Arizona community. Evaluates emerging practices, technologies, and delivery models to enhance program effectiveness and student outcomes. Champions innovative approaches that improve the student transition experience and support institutional goals. Department Leadership and Administration Provides leadership and direction for Orientation and New Student Transitions, including organizational planning, resource management, policy development, and operational effectiveness. Supervises professional staff and fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional growth, innovation, and service excellence. Establishes performance expectations and evaluates departmental effectiveness through measurable goals and outcomes. Oversees departmental budget planning, resource allocation, and fiscal stewardship to support the effective delivery of orientation and transition programs. Leads strategic workforce planning, organizational development, and succession planning efforts. Ensures compliance with university policies, procedures, and applicable regulations. Establishes a comprehensive staffing, training, and development framework that supports a large student employee workforce and ensures the effective delivery of orientation and transition programs. Promotes a student employment model that fosters leadership development, professional growth, belonging, and meaningful engagement among student employees. Ensures professional staff have the tools, resources, training, and support necessary to effectively recruit, supervise, mentor, and develop student employees. Champions a culture of learning, recognition, accountability, and service excellence across both professional and student staff teams. Collaboration and Professional Engagement Performs other duties as assigned in support of Orientation and New Student Transitions, Enrollment Management, and university initiatives. Participates in committees, workgroups, project teams, and strategic initiatives that support student success and institutional priorities. Builds and maintains collaborative relationships across the university community and with external partners to advance student success and organizational effectiveness. Cultivates partnerships with colleagues across higher education and maintains awareness of emerging trends and best practices. Represents the University of Arizona through engagement in regional and national professional organizations related to orientation, transition, enrollment management, and student success. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Active involvement in regional or national professional organizations related to orientation, transition, enrollment management, student affairs, or student success.