Assistant Director - Student Transitions and Family Engagement

Job Title

Assistant Director, Student Transitions and Family Engagement

Department

Student Life Orientation

Worker Type

Regular

Pay Type

Salary

Position Salary Minimum

$48,000

Position Salary Maximum

$52,000

Salary will be commensurate with the level of the position, education, and experience.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefit Eligible

Yes

Screening Date

2026-05-01

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Director for Student Transitions and Family Engagement plays an essential role in orientation and transition experiences of new Miami University students. The Assistant Director is responsible for supporting and contributing to the transition experiences for first-year and transfer students in collaboration with other University offices and departments.

The primary areas of responsibility for the Assistant Director are: new student orientation, transfer orientation, first-year programming, including contributing to the implementation and development of the first-year experience course, pre-semester programs and Welcome Weekend and First 50 Days activities. The Assistant Director will work in tandem with another assistant director to primarily support either orientation or transition initiatives, with secondary support for the adjacent area.

Job Description

Job Duties:

• Assist in the implementation of orientation programs for more than 4,000 first year students, 250 transfer students, and over 4,500 family members annually.

• Assist in the recruitment, selection, training, mentorship of, and evaluation of undergraduate student leaders.

• Support development and facilitation for pre-semester Miami Bound programs, Welcome Weekend and First 50 Days programming.

• Support the creation of print and electronic office communications throughout the year, including the office website, newsletters, social media, and printed resources for new students.

• Collaborate with university offices on their involvement in and representation at orientation and transition programs.

• Teach one-credit University 101 courses for new first-year and/or transfer students.

• Seek innovative and creative programming strategies to engage first-year students in their transition process by assessing current trends and best practices nationally.

Additional Duties

The Office of Student Transitions and Family Engagement operates with an integrated, collaborative model in which all Assistant Directors are cross-trained and actively support one another’s areas of focus. While each Assistant Director holds primary responsibility for a specific functional need (orientation, transition, family engagement), all contribute to the overall office mission, major office initiatives, and events. 

All assistant directors contribute to: 

• Creating individualized academic advising schedules for new students attending orientation.

• Assisting with the planning and execution of summer, August, and January orientation programs including check-in, session facilitation, logistics, and family programming. 

• Supporting orientation registration, communications, and presentation content. 

• Participating in orientation planning committees and campus partner meetings. 

• Providing day-of staffing for office-led events, including all orientation, Welcome Weekend, and Family Weekend programming. During large-scale programming, an evening rotation will be in place. 

• Assisting with recruitment, selection, training and development of student leaders (e.g. Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders and First-Year Experience Undergraduate Associates).

• Supporting Family Weekend and other family-focused events, including Parents Council meetings and logistics.

• Assisting with both student and family inquiries and relationship management, ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated communication.

• Serving on Division of Student Life committees and representing the Office of Student Transitions and Family Engagement at university and divisional events.

• Contributing to office assessment and planning conversations and reports. 

• Supporting the Director and Divisional Leadership with office initiatives.

• Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, completed by the position start date. 

• 1 year of full-time professional experience in an education or leadership-related field; experience may be cumulative (e.g. 2 years of half-time graduate assistantship work).
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in student development higher/adult education, student personnel, student affairs or related field, completed by the position start date. 

• Experience working directly with students in a college or university setting.

• Experience working directly with orientation, transition, or first-year experience programs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, set timelines, and ensure deadlines are met.

• Knowledge of and experience in coordinating large-scale events/programming.

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and/or weekends  (e.g. evening rotation during orientation programs, Welcome Weekend, Family Weekend) as necessary. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of student development theories.

• Experience working in databases and spreadsheets.

• Experience with technology, website development, and social media.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and work collaboratively with various constituencies.

• Ability to complete projects on a timely basis and manage multiple priorities.

• Experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting on data that contributes to continuous improvement and ongoing assessment efforts.

• Experience in a classroom setting as an instructor, co-instructor, teaching assistant or other similar role.

Additional Position Information (if applicable)

Required Application Documents

Resume and Cover Letter

Special Instructions (if applicable)

None

Additional Information

A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.

This organization participates in E-Verify.

Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

Reasonable Accommodations
Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [email protected] or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.

Miami University Values Statement
Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility.

For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [email protected] or 513-529-3560.

Clery Act
As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.

Labor Law Posters for Applicants

Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.