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Director of Orientation & Transition Programs

Washington State University

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Director of Orientation & Transition Programs

Washington State University

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Salary: $91,000 - $100,000
 
Employment Term: Full time
 

The Director of Orientation and Transition Programs for Enrollment at Washington State University will provide strategic leadership and oversight for WSU Pullman’s comprehensive orientation and transition initiatives. And will guide the vision and direction for spring orientation, population-specific orientation programs, summer and fall programs, Week of Welcome, and other key transition experiences that support new students and their families. Through extensive collaboration with academic and student service units, the Director will help design and deliver welcoming, cohesive, and effective orientation experiences that promote student success from the very beginning.

 The Director will work closely with the Assistant Directors of Orientation, providing strategic direction while they oversee day‑of implementation and operations. Together, ensuring seamless delivery of programs that reflect institutional priorities and best practices in student onboarding and transition.

In partnership with the AVP, will lead the development of new initiatives and the enhancement of existing programs that directly support the university’s enrollment, retention, and student success goals. The Director will also play a key role in shaping components of the recruitment cycle by overseeing aspects of new‑student onboarding and engagement.

 

The Director will manage fiscal planning and resource allocation, including developing and overseeing orientation-related budgets, approving travel and expenditures, and ensuring responsible stewardship of resources. In addition, will strengthen and expand partnerships both on and off campus, lead the development and execution of targeted communication strategies, establish measurable goals, and use data and assessment to inform continuous improvement.

 As a leader, will directly supervise Assistant Directors and other support staff, providing coaching, guidance, and professional development. Also, will support the Assistant Directors in their supervision of up to 50 student staff members, helping to shape robust training programs and contributing to the development of students, staff, and any associated university leadership or training courses.

 Will collaborate closely with Enrollment Management leadership to build and expand cross‑unit partnerships and identify new opportunities that enhance the university’s overall onboarding process. Through this collaboration, will help ensure alignment with institutional enrollment objectives and create a coordinated, student‑centered experience from recruitment through transition and beyond.


Required Qualifications:

  • Positions require a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and six (6) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment.
  • Experience supervising professional staff.
  • Budgetary experience.
  • Experience with data, CRM technology and systematic reporting.
  • Experience with program planning and execution.
  • Experience presenting to large groups.
  • Proficient in Microsoft office.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree, preferably in student development, higher education administration, or related field.
  • Increasing levels of responsibility in higher education student facing roles.
  • Experience leading orientation and transition programs.
  • Experience with program assessment .
  • Experience with PeopleSoft and Slate CRM.

 Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Posting Closing Date: Applicants must submit their completed application by February 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

This is a full (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime exempt.
 Monthly Salary: $6,733 - $10,533 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications 

Application Instructions: application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application. You are encouraged to upload PDFs if possible.  Please review the full posting and apply for this position at: https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WSU_Jobs/details/Director--Orientation-and-Transition-Programs_R-14434?q=R-14434

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

 Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

 

 

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