Executive Director for Orientation and Transition Programs
The University of Texas at Arlington

Job Info

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Posting Number:

S05872P

Position Title:

Executive Director for Orientation and Transition Programs

UTSystem Title:

Executive Director

Department:

Student Orientation

Location:

Arlington

Job Family:

Student Services

Position Status:

Full-time

Work Hours:

Standard

Work Schedule:

Monday to Friday; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• During periods when Orientation occurs, schedule varies greatly including work during early mornings, weekday evenings and nights, and weekends as needed.

Open to:

External and Internal

Salary:

Salary is commensurate based on qualifications and relevant experience.

Duration:

Funding expected to continue

Pay Basis:

Monthly

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

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

University Information:

The University of Texas at Arlington 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. UTA is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. The University is committed to providing access and ensuring student success, and to a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization of discoveries by our community of scholars. With an enrollment of more than 40,000 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. UTA ranks No. 4 nationally in Military Times' annual "Best for Vets: Colleges" list and is among the top 30 performers nationwide for promoting social mobility of its graduates (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). UTA is designated by the U.S. Department of Education as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and it has one of the top 5 most ethnically diverse undergraduate student bodies in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). Its approximately 270,000 alumni, including some who occupy leadership positions at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas, contribute to UTA's $22.2 billion annual economic impact on Texas.

Furthermore, UTA is poised to experience widespread growth in the near future. The university recently launched the first phase of its RISE 100 initiative aimed at recruiting 100 new tenure-system faculty to amplify research standing and position UTA as a leader in key scholarly areas; more details are available at https://www.uta.edu/administration/president/strategic-plan/rise100. The successful candidate for this position will have the opportunity to join UTA during an exciting period of growth and contribute as the university broadens its impact.

Job Summary:

The Executive Director for Orientation and Transition Programs serves as a member of 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 which 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, plan, and implement a high profile, dynamic, and student-centered orientation program for all new first-year, transfer, and international undergraduate students and their families, serving over 6,000 incoming students along with their family members annually. This position will also explore graduate orientation programs.
• Direct the day-to-day administration of the New Maverick Orientation program within Student Affairs.
• Directly supervise several professional staff members (2 Assistant Directors and Coordinators) and one administrative (Administrative Assistant) staff member, and supervise the Director of Transition Programs and Services.
• Oversees several staff members for the programs in that department (a Program Manager for Emerging Mavericks, Assistant Directors for Transition Programs and for Parent and Family Services, and a Coordinator, as well one Administrative Assistant).
• Create strategic vision and priorities to advance the work of the department and support the transition and retention of new students, with special attention to the populations served directly by the department.
• Direct the implementation of short- and long-range goals and initiatives.
• Oversee the development of departmental assessment plans to determine programmatic learning outcomes and impact of orientation and transition programs and services.
• Support the development and implementation of family programming and communication which is led by Transition Programs and Services, including Friends and Family Weekend, guest orientation and welcome events, and other initiatives to cultivate strong partnerships with families of all UTA students.
• Direct the development and management of orientation registration processes in coordination with Admissions.
• Liaise with College's academic leadership to develop orientation schedule and capacities as well as address registration issues.
• Oversee the recruitment, selection, and training of a large and various background of undergraduate student orientation leader teams.
• 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 varied, complex annual 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 related field.
• At least five (5) years of Student Affairs or related professional experience, with prior direct work experience in Orientation/First-Year Experience programs required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Seven (7) or more years of professional experience, with significant experience in orientation/first-year programs.
• Working 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.
• 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.
• Ability to develop, plan, implement, and achieve short and long-range unit goals; establish unit priorities; formulate policy and organize/manage resources; and examine and re-engineer operations and procedures.

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.

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.

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 ADADocs@uta.edu.

Number of Vacancies:

1

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.

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