The University of Texas at Austin
Executive Director of Orientation and Family Engagement
The University of Texas at Austin, Campus, Illinois, us, 60920
Overview
Executive Director of Orientation and Family Engagement. Hiring Department: Office of the Dean of Students. Position Open To: All Applicants. Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS. Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40. FLSA Status: Exempt. Earliest Start Date: Oct 23, 2025. Position Duration: Expected to Continue. Job Details
Purpose: 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. Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Program Integration: 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. Strategic Leadership & Program Integration: 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. Strategic Leadership & Program Integration: Collaborate with Enrollment Management, University Events and Experience, and academic units to ensure alignment with institutional goals and enrollment trends. Supervision & Team Development: 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. Supervision & Team Development: Support cross-functional collaboration among DOS units, including First-Year Experience, Student Outreach and Support, Student Organizations, and major departmental initiatives, such as Conversation Navigation and curricular and co-curricular alignment. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with Enrollment Management and CSUs to maintain continuity in messaging and planning across the student lifecycle. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison for University Events and Experience to create a uniform experience for all students and families attending Orientation. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Direct university outreach to families, ensuring transparent and timely communication about University resources and events. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Represent DOS in and lead campus-wide committees and initiatives related to student transition and engagement. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure consistency in the student experience by scaffolding support and involvement towards other DOS initiatives and unit programs. Operational Oversight & Assessment: Lead logistical planning for Orientation sessions, including scheduling, registration, and data tracking. Operational Oversight & Assessment: Manage departmental budgets and staffing resources, ensuring efficient operations and strategic investment. Operational Oversight & Assessment: Conduct regular assessments and national environmental scans to evaluate program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement. Operational Oversight & Assessment: Remain informed and up-to-date regarding national and state laws, national trends, and University policies that may impact Orientation efforts and family engagement. Operational Oversight & Assessment: Other duties as assigned. Qualifications
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. Preferred Qualifications
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. Salary
Salary Range: $135,000+, commensurate with experience. Work Details
Work Shift: May require weekend and/or evening work. Required Materials
Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest Important Notices
Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval. Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Pay Transparency: The University will not discharge or discriminate against employees or applicants for discussing pay. See policy for details. Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal I-9 form and present documents proving identity and work authorization by the third day of employment. E-Verify: The University uses E-Verify to check work authorization. For more information, refer to the E-Verify posters and Right to Work notices. Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Clery Act. If identified as a Campus Security Authority, you will be notified and provided resources for reporting.
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Executive Director of Orientation and Family Engagement. Hiring Department: Office of the Dean of Students. Position Open To: All Applicants. Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS. Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40. FLSA Status: Exempt. Earliest Start Date: Oct 23, 2025. Position Duration: Expected to Continue. Job Details
Purpose: 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. Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Program Integration: 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. Strategic Leadership & Program Integration: 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. Strategic Leadership & Program Integration: Collaborate with Enrollment Management, University Events and Experience, and academic units to ensure alignment with institutional goals and enrollment trends. Supervision & Team Development: 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. Supervision & Team Development: Support cross-functional collaboration among DOS units, including First-Year Experience, Student Outreach and Support, Student Organizations, and major departmental initiatives, such as Conversation Navigation and curricular and co-curricular alignment. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with Enrollment Management and CSUs to maintain continuity in messaging and planning across the student lifecycle. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison for University Events and Experience to create a uniform experience for all students and families attending Orientation. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Direct university outreach to families, ensuring transparent and timely communication about University resources and events. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Represent DOS in and lead campus-wide committees and initiatives related to student transition and engagement. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure consistency in the student experience by scaffolding support and involvement towards other DOS initiatives and unit programs. Operational Oversight & Assessment: Lead logistical planning for Orientation sessions, including scheduling, registration, and data tracking. Operational Oversight & Assessment: Manage departmental budgets and staffing resources, ensuring efficient operations and strategic investment. Operational Oversight & Assessment: Conduct regular assessments and national environmental scans to evaluate program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement. Operational Oversight & Assessment: Remain informed and up-to-date regarding national and state laws, national trends, and University policies that may impact Orientation efforts and family engagement. Operational Oversight & Assessment: Other duties as assigned. Qualifications
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. Preferred Qualifications
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. Salary
Salary Range: $135,000+, commensurate with experience. Work Details
Work Shift: May require weekend and/or evening work. Required Materials
Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest Important Notices
Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval. Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Pay Transparency: The University will not discharge or discriminate against employees or applicants for discussing pay. See policy for details. Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal I-9 form and present documents proving identity and work authorization by the third day of employment. E-Verify: The University uses E-Verify to check work authorization. For more information, refer to the E-Verify posters and Right to Work notices. Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Clery Act. If identified as a Campus Security Authority, you will be notified and provided resources for reporting.
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