Program Director for New Student and Family Engagement

University of Notre Dame•Notre Dame, IN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Notre Dame is seeking a mission-centered, collaborative, innovative, and highly organized Program Director. This role will lead the University's efforts to welcome and engage incoming undergraduate students, parents, and families. The Program Director will provide strategic leadership for welcome and orientation programs for first-year and transfer students throughout the academic year, including those matriculating in January, June, and August. A key responsibility will be serving as the champion for the University's welcome initiatives, stewarding the vision, coordination, communication, and execution of these experiences, with a particular focus on Welcome Weekend and related pre- and post-Welcome Weekend activities. Additionally, the Program Director will develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for parent and family engagement, from the initial transition to Notre Dame through the entirety of the student's academic journey. This includes establishing a coordinated approach to outreach and engagement, creating meaningful opportunities for parent and family involvement, and assisting University leaders and campus partners in effectively addressing parent and family questions, concerns, and needs. The successful candidate will be adept at leading complex and highly visible initiatives, fostering strong partnerships across the Division of Student Affairs and the wider University, inspiring campus-wide investment and engagement, and translating a compelling vision into well-executed programs and processes. This role is crucial in establishing a strong foundation for students and their families as they begin their educational journey at Notre Dame, creating experiences that foster belonging, community, and formation, while reflecting the University's Catholic, Holy Cross identity.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required.
3-4 years of experience developing and implementing complex programs, initiatives, or processes in a higher education or similarly complex organizational environment.
Experience coordinating across departments or organizational units and building collaborative relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication.
Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise initiative, manage competing priorities, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
A demonstrated commitment to the University’s Catholic and Holy Cross mission and the ability to implement policies, programs, services, and initiatives that are consistent with the University’s mission and values.
Mission-centered leadership: a deep appreciation for and understanding of Notre Dame's Catholic, Holy Cross mission and the role of Student Affairs in the formation of the whole person.
Ability to translate the University's mission into thoughtful programs, communications, and experiences for students and families.
Vision and strategic thinking: The ability to see the larger institutional picture, articulate a compelling vision, identify strategic opportunities, and move from ideas to implementation.
Exceptional communication: outstanding written and verbal communication skills and the ability to serve as a clear, credible, and engaging representative for the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Project management and execution: exceptional organization, attention to detail, follow-through, and proactive planning.
The candidate must be able to manage multiple complex and time-sensitive projects simultaneously while maintaining focus on long-term priorities.
Collaboration and relationship-building: The ability to cultivate trust, invite meaningful participation, build campus-wide ownership, and move diverse stakeholders toward a shared goal, particularly in a highly collaborative environment without direct supervisory authority.
Creativity and innovation: A willingness to question established approaches, identify new possibilities, and creatively leverage partnerships and institutional resources to improve programs and processes.
Assessment and continuous improvement: The ability to use evidence, feedback, and thoughtful stakeholder engagement to evaluate programs, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions.
Team orientation and humility: A commitment to shared work and collective success, with a willingness to contribute to and elevate the work of colleagues and the broader Division rather than pursue individual accomplishments.
Professionalism and judgment: The maturity, discretion, adaptability, and interpersonal skills necessary to represent the Division and University effectively in a wide range of settings and with a wide range of constituents.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, education, communications, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for welcome and orientation programs for first-year and transfer students.
Serve as champion for the University’s welcome of new students and families.
Steward the vision, coordination, communication, and execution of welcome experiences, with particular responsibility for Welcome Weekend and related initiatives.
Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for parent and family engagement throughout the student experience.
Establish a coordinated approach to parent and family outreach and engagement.
Develop opportunities for meaningful parent and family engagement.
Help University leaders and campus partners respond thoughtfully and effectively to parent and family questions, concerns, and needs.
Lead complex and highly visible initiatives.
Build strong partnerships throughout the Division of Student Affairs and the wider University.
Inspire campus-wide investment and engagement.
Translate a compelling vision into thoughtful and well-executed programs and processes.
Help establish a strong foundation for students and their families as they begin their journey of education in mind and heart at Notre Dame.
Create experiences for all students that foster belonging, community, and formation.
Reflect and bring to life the University's Catholic, Holy Cross identity.