Director for Student Transitions & Family Engagement
We are seeking a student-focused, high-energy, outcomes-oriented Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement to lead our new student orientation and transition efforts. This individual will be critical in establishing a positive relationship and community culture for incoming undergraduate students and their families. The Director is responsible for the development and execution of programs designed to welcome students and families as key members of our Johns Hopkins University (JHU) community. In addition, the director will provide pathways for engagement and connection for JHU students in their first and second years at JHU in collaboration with divisional, student affairs, and student services partner offices. The director must demonstrate a student-centered and outcomes-oriented philosophy to their work and a demonstrated understanding and application of student development theory and effective implementation of best practices. The director supervises six full-time staff, graduate students, and a team of undergraduate employees and will serve as the convener of the undergraduate orientation committee and university collaborations.
The director reports to the Associate Vice Provost for Student Engagement and Dean of Students (AVPDoS). The Director serves on the AVP leadership team and coordinates university efforts designed to strengthen the academic, personal, and social success of undergraduate students and their families. STFE leverages its work to support student engagement and facilitate retention. This portfolio includes First Year Experience, Second Year Experience, First Year Mentor program, and Family Engagement. It is responsible for coordinating orientation efforts with the JHU Peabody Institute to enhance the transition experience of undergraduate students, including dual degree students.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership and Program Execution
- Lead the development and execution of New Student Transition and Family Engagement programs.
- Serve as a member of the AVPDoS Leadership Team.
- Provide oversight for pre-orientation and new student orientation programs, including, but not limited to, event planning, collaboration with university partners, assessment, and budget management.
- Oversee an operating and personnel budget of approximately $1M.
- Remain current in national trends and benchmark best practices regarding college student transition, onboarding students, and building and maintaining relationships with families.
- Supervise and mentor six full-time staff members, graduate assistants, and undergraduate student employees, providing ongoing evaluation and assessment of staff and identifying professional development opportunities.
- Lead and align strategies and resources with Division and University priorities. Recommend and monitor the use of budget, personnel, and facilities to ensure optimal student outcomes.
- Integrate enrollment management strategies to support student transition initiatives and programming.
- Serve as a member of the On-Call Student Expression Support Team.
- Other duties as assigned by the AVPDoS.
- The Director's responsibilities require evening and weekend hours.
Cross-Campus Collaboration
Coordinate and lead a cross-university New Student Orientation Steering Committee to develop and measure outcomes, guide program development, and execute programs and activities.Partner with divisions and schools as appropriate, specifically with the Whiting School of Engineering, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, and the Peabody Institute, to coordinate the successful academic onboarding of incoming students.Partner with the designated Admissions liaison to align the admissions cycle and the incoming new student experience.Coordinate and partner with Development and Alumni Relations, including Parent and Family Giving, to ensure the effective implementation of Summer Send-Offs in support of developing the JHU community.Lead campus partners in organizing and executing major undergraduate-focused programs, including Pre-Orientation, New Student Orientation, and Second-Year Programming, including the Student Conference, the Major Fair, and Family Weekend.Work with campus partners to implement best practices for supporting and enhancing belonging with first- and second-year students.Establish, build, and maintain collaborative working relationships with other student affairs offices, including Athletics and Recreation, Hopkins Dining, On-Campus Living, the Center for Student Success, the Center for Social Concern and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and university partners such as Mental Health Services, Medical Center, On-Campus Living, Transportation, Facilities, Life Design, school and division offices and others.Strategic Communication and Assessment
Support developing and implementing a comprehensive assessment plan for New Student Orientation, Student Transition, and Family Programs and services. Uses data and best practices to create and implement programs and services for the campus community and provides support, consultation, and training for faculty, staff, students, and families.Coordinate the direction, promotion, assessment, and internal and external communication for new student transition and orientation events in coordination with Admissions, On-Campus Living, Academic Advising, and others.Lead the development and implementation of Student Affairs proactive undergraduate student family communication plan.Coordinate and develop new student transition / orientation information, communications, and other publications for distribution to students and their supporters to support university student belonging, engagement, and success goals.Develop, implement, publicize, and promote new student programming.Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Successful candidates will bring the following experiences and demonstrate these characteristics.Successfully managing complex, multilayered programs, people, and budgets.Demonstrated ability to lead a team, work collaboratively with other areas, and successfully lead projects to completion.Demonstrated success in developing and maintaining strong, strategic partnerships with stakeholders in a higher education setting, including peer department leaders, faculty, and other administrators.Ability to execute strategic initiatives, meet project objectives, and achieve measurable outcomes.Demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizations, effectively and quickly build relationships across the University and its community partners, and to work effectively with a wide range of people, including those from diverse backgrounds.Demonstrated collaborative, consensus-building, and flexible leadership style.Proven track record of establishing strategic relationships to improve program and service delivery.Strong communication skills : interpersonal, oral, public speaking, writing, problem-solving, and listening skills.Demonstrated ability to advocate for and work effectively with diverse populations.Experience in event management, developing program goals, evaluating outcomes, and budgeting / monitoring expenditures.Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree required.Minimum of six years of progressive experience in student affairs, with experience in supervision, orientation, new student recruitment, or related fields.Additional related experience may substitute for required education, and additional education may substitute for required experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Educational Leadership, or a related field is strongly preferred.Classified Title : Director Student Transitions & Family Engagement
Job Posting Title (Working Title) : Director for Student Transitions & Family Engagement
Role / Level / Range : ACRP / 04 / MF
Starting Salary Range : $75,100 - $131,700 Annually (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group : Full Time
Schedule : Mon-Fri 8 : 30-5pm with evening and weekend hours as needed.
Exempt Status : Exempt
Location : Homewood Campus
Department name : Student Transitions & Family Engagement
Personnel area : University Student Services
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Salary : $75,100 - $131,700
