Assistant Director for Orientation & Student Programming

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Assistant Director provides leadership in the development of strategies, programs, and initiatives to help the office of Orientation and New Student Transitions meet goals. Specifically, the assistant director works in support of key elements identified within the mission and goals of the orientation office as it relates to the university’s strategic plan. This position will interact broadly and with minimal supervision with faculty, staff, students, and administrators across campus, as well as the parents and families of Case Western Reserve University students.

The assistant director will be both a strategist and hands‑on practitioner with a level of expertise in orientation, first‑year experience, parent and family programs, retention and student success. The assistant director brings skills and vision to help carry out the needs of the office in collaboration with Student Affairs, Undergraduate Advising, Residence Life, and internal and external campus partners. This staff member represents all facets of undergraduate education and student life at Case Western Reserve University to incoming students and their parents with friendliness, enthusiasm, patience and respect.

All incoming students should be treated equally, without regard to race, religion, age, sex, color, disability, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. This position is eligible for hybrid/remote work arrangements.

• Provide direct leadership in the planning, organizing and implementation of the orientation and transition process, which takes place from May through October and focuses specifically on the logistics and implementation of Discover Week (a week‑long series of transition‑based programming for new students and their families as well as Discover Days in January). Oversee the Case Western Reserve University Orientation Large Group Committee and all orientation leader staffing for the in‑person orientation programs.
  
  (30%)
• Provide primary leadership for the recruitment and selection of the orientation executive board and over 150 orientation leaders. Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications on outreach materials and social media posts, organizing and facilitating the required information sessions for all interested students, and coordinating the application and interview process. This involves staying on top of nominations, applications, organizing the review process and coordinating all interview activities.
  
  (30%)
• Assist in coordinating training for the orientation executive board and the general orientation leaders for both the spring training course as well as the week of training in August prior Discover Week. Lead training sessions when needed. Outreach to campus partners to build a training schedule in collaboration with the professional staff and orientation executive board. Take the lead in sending out regular communications to campus partners, coordinating all space and room reservations for Discover Week, Discover Days, and training.
  
  (20%)
• Work closely with the director to administer and use discretion over the events budget/plan budget needs; analyze program plans on both a short‑ and long‑range basis by considering past requirements, expenditures, current programs, and future goals. Work closely with vendors and on‑campus partners to negotiate/ manage costs for each event. Independently make decisions on best allocation of resources to achieve events strategic goals.
  
  Monitor program expenses for the department, authorize routine expenditures, arrange for payment or reimbursement procedures, and maintain accurate records and oversight of financial expenditures within the budget. Perform generalized administrative tasks to support the orientation office. (10%)

• Work with the departments in enrollment management and student affairs in leveraging student employees to best service the needs of the division. (2.5%)
• Monitor national trends in orientation, higher education and students in transition, provide best practices to inform the office of orientation and new student transitions and be involved in professional associations.…