Executive Director of Orientation and Family Engagement

University of Texas at Austin

98d • $135,000

About The Position

The Executive Director of Orientation and Family Engagement will lead the university’s comprehensive onboarding experience for new students and their families. Housed within the Office of the Dean of Students, this role ensures a seamless transition from admission to active student life, aligning Orientation efforts with student involvement, leadership development, and wrap-around support services. The Executive Director will directly supervise the Associate Director of Orientation and the Associate Director of Texas Parents, collaborate closely with First-Year Experience and other DOS units, and serve as the primary liaison for academic units at the University in relation to Orientation.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in student affairs, higher education, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of progressive experience in Orientation or related programs, including experience at a leadership level.
• Experience supervising professional staff.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, and University policy.
• Experience conducting planning and assessment activities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to acquire information/ideas from others.
• Ability to collaborate and share resources based on programmatic needs.
• Demonstrated ability to factor functional concerns/needs into strategy.
• Capability to delegate functional tasks to direct reports and engages others in achieving strategic initiatives.
• Experience managing a budget or advising on finances.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, administration, and external stakeholders.
• Professional demeanor and ability to maintain sensitive information.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills including presentations, written correspondence, and reports.
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

• 10 years or more experience in Orientation or related programs.
• Experience creating and implementing a vision for transition programs.
• Experience with parent and family engagement.
• Experience at a large, public institution.
• Demonstrated work with and understanding of reputational and financial risks.
• Experience building partnerships and collaborating across departments, particularly academic units and enrollment management.
• Experience supervising Associate Director or Director level staff.
• Proven ability to assess program and learning outcomes qualitatively and quantitatively.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive Orientation program that reflects the mission of the University, focusing on preparing for academics at UT, fostering involvement, and creating a welcoming environment for all Longhorns.
• Integrate Orientation experiences across academic units and with key involvement opportunities, such as student organizations, leadership programs, and family engagement initiatives to create a holistic onboarding experience.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management, University Events and Experience, and academic units to ensure alignment with institutional goals and enrollment trends.
• Provide direct supervision and strategic guidance to the Associate Director of Orientation and the Director of Texas Parents and oversee the entire Orientation and Texas Parents staff portfolios.
• Support cross-functional collaboration among DOS units, including First-Year Experience, Student Outreach and Support, Student Organizations, and major departmental initiatives.
• Partner with Enrollment Management and CSUs to maintain continuity in messaging and planning across the student lifecycle.
• Serve as the primary liaison for University Events and Experience to create a uniform experience for all students and families attending Orientation.
• Direct university outreach to families, ensuring transparent and timely communication about University resources and events.
• Represent DOS in and lead campus-wide committees and initiatives related to student transition and engagement.
• Ensure consistency in the student experience by scaffolding support and involvement towards other DOS initiatives and unit programs.
• Lead logistical planning for Orientation sessions, including scheduling, registration, and data tracking.
• Manage departmental budgets and staffing resources, ensuring efficient operations and strategic investment.
• Conduct regular assessments and national environmental scans to evaluate program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.
• Remain informed and up-to-date regarding national and state laws, national trends, and University policies that may impact Orientation efforts and family engagement.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Full benefits
• Extensive support network
• Collaborative working community

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Master's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees