Associate Director, New Student Transition Programs

Orientation and New Student Transitions advances the University of Arizona's commitment to Success for Every Student by creating transformative entry experiences for undergraduate students. Serving students, families, academic units, and campus partners, the department designs and delivers orientation and transition programs that foster belonging, academic readiness, and confidence in navigating the university's academic and support systems. Through innovation, collaboration, and service excellence, the department strives to create seamless transition experiences that connect students to the people, resources, and opportunities that define the Arizona experience. With clarity and connection, students develop the confidence to navigate their university journey and establish their pathway to success.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Transition Program Strategy and Experience Design

• Leads the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of undergraduate transition programs and initiatives.
• Develops transformative experiences that support student belonging, engagement, academic readiness, and successful navigation of the university.
• Collaborates with staff and campus partners to design cohesive transition experiences that support students throughout their entry to the university.
• Evaluates student needs, emerging trends, and program outcomes to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of transition programs.
• Recommends and implements innovative approaches that enhance student learning, engagement, and transition outcomes.

Staff Leadership, Program Operations, and Campus Partnerships

• Supervises professional staff responsible for transition programs and initiatives.
• Provides leadership, coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to staff.
• Communicates departmental leadership direction, priorities, and expectations to staff, ensuring alignment and clarity across assigned programs and initiatives.
• Accountable for program operations, implementation timelines, resource coordination, and project management activities to ensure effective program delivery.
• Provides oversight of student leadership and student employment structures within assigned program areas.
• Accountable for the successful delivery of department-wide orientation, transition, and onboarding experiences through shared operational leadership and collaboration across program areas.
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with academic colleges, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, advising units, and other campus stakeholders.
• Collaborates with campus partners to design and deliver coordinated transition experiences and strengthen alignment with broader student success efforts.

Budget and Administrative Oversight

• Assists with budget planning, resource allocation, and fiscal stewardship for assigned programs and initiatives.
• Monitors program expenditures and operational resources.
• Supports procurement, contract management, and administrative processes as needed.
• Ensures compliance with university policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.

Program Assessment, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement

• Implements departmental assessment strategies and evaluation processes to measure program effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Utilizes assessment findings, student feedback, and institutional data to inform program enhancements and operational improvements.
• Evaluates program effectiveness and recommends improvements that support student success and departmental priorities.
• Supports departmental assessment and reporting efforts through the collection, analysis, and communication of program results.

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 special assignments that support student success and institutional priorities.
• Engages with professional associations, emerging trends, and best practices to inform the development and continuous improvement of transition programs and initiatives.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships that support effective program delivery, student success, and organizational effectiveness.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Conceptual knowledge and expertise of concepts, principles, and practices with new student transition programs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of related work experience, including 2 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
  
• Experience overseeing orientation, transition, bridge, first-year experience, or student engagement programs.
  
• Experience supervising professional staff and student employees.
  
• Experience leading complex programs, initiatives, or functional areas.
  
• Experience managing multiple priorities, projects, budgets, and stakeholder relationships.
  
• Experience utilizing assessment and data to improve programs and student outcomes.
  
• Experience building collaborative partnerships across academic and administrative units.
  
• Active involvement in regional or national professional organizations related to orientation, transition, student affairs, or student success.