Santa Clara University · 4 months ago
Senior Assistant Director for New Student and Parent Programs
Santa Clara, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$71K/yr - $85K/yr
3+ years expSanta Clara University is seeking a Senior Assistant Director for New Student and Parent Programs. This role involves providing leadership and support for New Student Orientation and Parent Programs, including the planning and implementation of various orientation activities and collaboration with campus partners to ensure a successful transition for new students and their families.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Lead, develop, and implement the content and structure of Orientation for first year students and transfer students as well as their parents including – but not limited to – in-person engagement, parent and student webinars, virtual student events, and online learning modules
Support programmatic efforts during Orientation including but not limited to setting up, leading Orientation Staff debrief meetings, providing effective customer service to all participants, and overseeing facilitation of schedules and sessions
Assist with the assembly of program materials (e.g. schedule of events, handouts, evaluations, promotional material, etc.)
Evaluate existing programs and related activities to determine effectiveness in meeting the goal of a seamless transition into the University
Provide content and input during the editorial process for Orientation publications (print and online)
Collaborate with and support the Undergraduate Admission Office with any initiatives focusing on prospective and admitted students and their parents to ensure a successful transition to the University
Collaborate with the Registrar Office, Bursar Office, One Stop Enrollment Services Center, Drahmann Academic Advising Center, Residential Learning Communities, and other campus partners to maintain the Orientation database, manage new student information, and communicate with new students between deposit and enrollment
Collaborate with campus partners to brainstorm, develop, implement, and evaluate new programs and initiatives that support new students during their transition to college and during their first year at the University
Counsel students, parents, faculty, and staff regarding programs, services, and initiatives for new students
Serve on University committees to represent the Center for Student Involvement in building relationships with campus colleagues who assist with Orientation
Serve as a member of the New Student Programming Group
Serve as a liaison to campus partners and non-affiliates of the University regarding issues related to new students
Coordinate the maintenance of and updates to the Orientation website and mobile application
Administer the Orientation budget ensuring that expenses do not exceed expected revenues
Lead, develop, implement, and evaluate Welcome Weekend
Collaborate with campus partners to host and promote Welcome Weekend events
Provide content and input during the editorial process for Welcome Weekend publications (print and online)
Lead, develop, implement, and evaluate Family Weekend
Collaborate with campus partners to host and promote Family Weekend events
Provide content and input during the editorial process for Family Weekend publications (print and online)
Work with the Director of Parent and Family Communication & Engagement to ensure Parent and Family Orientation runs concurrently and is aligned with New Student Orientation
Coordinate the maintenance of and updates to the Family Weekend website and mobile application
Collaborate with the Director for Parent & Family Communication and Engagement to brainstorm, develop, implement, and evaluate new programs, services, and initiatives that support parents and families
Recruit, select, train, and deploy student staff who support the Senior Assistant Director with developing and implementing New Student and Parent Orientation, Welcome Weekend, and Family Weekend
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate student staff
Design and facilitate the ASCI 26: Orientation Student Leadership course, Orientation Leader Retreat, and Orientation Leader Final Training in collaboration with the Associate Director
Provide leadership, direction, and support to those directly supervised on a consistent basis which may include – but not limited to – one-on-one meetings and student staff team meetings
Support department staff to answer phone calls and respond to emails
Provide advice, consultation, and support for CSI strategic planning, assessment, programming, and responses to issues and trends
Interpret for students and enforce University and departmental policies
Act as a liaison to other departments and offices within the University and related outside groups as appropriate to areas of responsibility
Promote and encourage collaboration between CSI and other University departments and offices
Confer with, counsel, and advise students, faculty, staff, and parents regarding programs, services, and opportunities offered by CSI
Serve on University committees as assigned
Perform other duties as assigned by the CSI Director and CSI Associate Director
Attend and represent the University at the National Orientation Directors Association meetings
Assess new professional organization engagement opportunities appropriate to job responsibilities
Research and present information on best practices in orientation, transition, retention, and the first year experience
Qualification
Required
Bachelor' degree required
3-5 years of progressively responsible work in a student services-related field or commensurate experience required
Understanding and support of the Jesuit tradition of education and a commitment to the fundamental values of service to others, community, and diversity as well as commitment to and demonstration of skills, knowledge, and awareness to serve the unique needs of the diverse campus community of Santa Clara University
Demonstrated ability to successfully build strategic and sustainable cross-organizational partnerships, including collaboration skills to work with multiple stakeholders, internal and external to the university
Knowledge of the processes, trends and best practices in new student orientation
Ability to understand how orientation programs support the University's commitment to student success and belonging
Ability to involve others in the decision-making processes
Demonstrated experience working effectively with students, parents, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds, in support of an inclusive and welcoming environment
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
Effective communication and interpersonal skills to effectively work with diverse students, faculty, staff and parents
Sufficient understanding of student development theories and best practices related to orientation and student transitions
Strong organization and time management skills
Ability to design and evaluate services by using needs and program assessments
Experience with supervision of students
Ability to have a high tolerance for ambiguity and extensive consultation to build consensus and to earn student, faculty and administrative support
Demonstrated experience working with young adults
Enthusiasm in working with students and families
Preferred
Advanced degree in Higher Education, Advising, Counseling or related area preferred
Demonstrated experience with planning and implementing programming related to Orientation for new students, parents, and families as well as to Welcome Weekend and Family Weekend in a college or university setting preferred
Company
Santa Clara University
Jesuit University in Silicon Valley
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Santa Clara University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2021 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$100MKey Investors
National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing BiopharmaceuticalsKnight Foundation
2024-04-09Grant
2022-04-07Grant
2017-01-22Grant· $100M
Leadership Team
T
Tim Harris
Dean’s Executive Professor, Coord Contemporary Business
Recent News
2025-11-05
Morningstar.com
2025-10-24
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