Assistant Director of First-Year Orientation & Family Engagement - Division of Student Affairs

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is pleased to announce a national search for the Assistant Director of First-Year Orientation and Family Engagement within the Division of Student Affairs. The Assistant Director is responsible for a broad range of activities designed to develop and enhance the university’s relationship with incoming undergraduate students and their families. The Assistant Director will coordinate transition programming that includes the university’s nine day First-Year Orientation program which provides support for students’ intellectual, social, emotional, and cultural transition to campus. The Assistant Director will also work on various aspects of family engagement programs that cultivate deep and meaningful engagement of parents and family members with the university community.

Core responsibilities include:

This position reports to and works under the strategic direction of the Associate Dean for First-Year Orientation and Family Engagement. The Assistant Director is responsible for the following duties:

Program Planning

- Works with university stakeholders and partners to design and implement the First-Year Orientation program, focusing on curriculum design, student learning, and assessment.
- Works with university stakeholders and administrative support staff on program logistics such as space reservations and allocation, dining, campus facilities, media and AV.
- Assists with the planning and implementation of family engagement programs and initiatives, including Family Weekend and the Tartan Family Webinar Series.
- Develops and stewards an annual programmatic budget under the direction of the Associate Dean.

Supervision

- Provides leadership for the recruitment and supervision for a team of 150+ student leaders including Head Orientation Counselors, Orientation Leaders, and Orientation Counselors.
- Designs and implements a comprehensive training and development program for First-Year Orientation student leaders focused on leadership, teamwork, college transition, small group facilitation, and conflict resolution.
- Assists with the recruitment and training of family student ambassadors to assist with signature family engagement programs.

Communications

- Works with University Marketing and Communications and third-party vendors in the development of marketing and branding materials for the department, including program logos, signage, apparel, and mobile app.
- Partners with University Marketing and Communications and Student Affairs Marketing and Communications teams to create a regular schedule of social media coverage highlighting First-Year Orientation and Family Engagement programs.
- Provides leadership for distance education for incoming undergraduate students, including websites, webinars, event livestreaming, social networking, and other emerging technologies.

Assessment

- Develops and implements a robust assessment agenda for the First-Year Orientation program and First-Year Orientation student leader learning, under the direction of the Associate Dean of Family Engagement and First-Year Orientation and the Director of Institutional Research and Analysis.

Professional Development

- Stays current on best practices in higher education, student development, management of student orientation and transition programs, and family engagement, through professional associations, relevant research, and publications.
- Other duties as assigned

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

About Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is a highly selective global research university with a diverse student body of nearly 7,000 undergraduate students. Recognized for its world-class arts and technology programs, collaboration across disciplines, and innovative leadership in the fields of Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Public Policy & Information Systems, and Science, Carnegie Mellon is consistently ranked among the top 25 universities in the United States. Carnegie Mellon University is situated in the heart of Pittsburgh, a city that has reinvented itself as a hub of innovation and information and life sciences technology. The city boasts nine colleges and universities, museums, opera, a world-class symphony, and several professional sports teams. Pittsburgh is known for its diverse neighborhoods, top schools and hospitals, affordable housing, eclectic restaurant scene, lively arts and music communities, and recreation opportunities that abound in the city’s more than 2000 acres of city parks and on its three rivers. Pittsburgh offers a quality of life that has been internationally recognized, prompting the city’s ranking as America’s most livable city in recent years.

Minimum Qualifications

- Earned a master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or related field
- 3-5 years of experience working in higher education post master’s degree
- A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience working in Orientation, Transition, and Retention (OTR) programs in a college or university setting
- Experience in programmatic assessment, research methodologies, and data driven decision making
- Experience providing supervision or advisement to student leaders or employees
- Strong fiscal management skills and experience managing programmatic budgets

Requirements:

- Successful completion of a pre-employment background check
- Child Protection Clearances (Act 153)

Additional Information:

- Sponsorship : Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.  Carnegie Mellon is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Carnegie Mellon.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits , take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays , and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access , and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page .

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Student Programs
Position Type
Staff – Regular
Full Time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
Salary
More Information:

- Please visit “ Why Carnegie Mellon ” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
- Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
- Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran .
- Statement of Assurance