Career Center

Department: Student Engagement
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Student Transition Experiences supports the office’s efforts by organization and implementing timely programs and communications relevant to class cohorts as they transition through Northwestern. To assist in program development, the assistant director partners with units across the University and undergraduate students to engage students in ongoing learning and community building.

The Assistant Director of Student Transition Experiences:

• Develops and supports co-curricular student transition programming that meets the unique transition needs of each class cohort and aligns with broader University goals.
• Determines an involvement structure to engage undergraduate students in the development and implementation of ongoing transition programs. 
• Builds strong, collaborative relationships with campus partners across the Division of Student Affairs, Undergraduate education, students, and faculty/staff in support of building an extraordinary academic and student experience.
• Assesses program effectiveness and student need and determines strategies for addressing assessment data. 
• Advances student transition, learning, belonging, and engagement through lenses of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. 

The Division of Student Affairs offers alternative work strategies with options for remote work. This position is eligible to work up to two days from home each week.

Candidates are encouraged to submit materials for review by the preferred deadline of July 10, 2022.

Specific Responsibilities:

Program Development 25%

• Researches practices from peer institutions and leverages student development theory to develop and continually enhance program curricula and delivery to better meet goals and objectives.   
• Coordinates with office, campus partners, and students to develop programming objectives, coordinate event logistics, and review program evaluations.
• Supervises creation of all transition programming efforts occurring throughout the academic year.
• Continually assesses and innovates program/project to achieve educational goals. 

Events 25%

• Manages student programming including vendors, speakers, agendas, etc. Events and programming supporting approximately 6,000 undergraduate students from years one through three with topics such as community building, resource navigation, well-being, social justice and inclusion, building healthy relationships, and navigating academic expectations. 
• Manages planning and arrangement of meetings, workshops, events, etc. designed to exchange information, promote research objectives, and to build internal and external relationships within NU.  
• Manages event details including communication, venues, presenters, travel arrangements, materials, refreshments and technology are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.

Communication, Outreach & Recruitment 10%

• Identifies opportunities and strategies for short- and long-term growth & expansion of student transition programs that meet the unique needs of students in each undergraduate cohort.
• Creates & implements program/project brand identity and marketing & advertising strategy. 
• Oversees marketing of new and current programs.
• Ensures that all advertising and marketing materials accurately represent programs.  

Student Support 10%

• Manages recruitment, application evaluation, interview, selection and notification of student leaders and student workers associated with transition programs.
• Implements a department strategy for structure, process, & staff support of students in transition. 

Supervision 10%

• Supervises student leaders and student workers associated with related programming efforts.

Administration 5%

• Oversees & ensures that day-to-day operations are appropriately managed, efficient and effective.
• Develops, maintains & reports on quantitative and qualitative performance measures.
• Oversees documentation of agreements between NU and partner organizations, ensuring that agreements are completed, appropriately reviewed, approved, and adhered to by all parties.
• Ensures necessary hardware, software & network infrastructure services are appropriated from central or internal IT.

Strategic Planning 5%

• Manages & implements strategic plans related to the development of student transition programs.  
• Provides advice & counsel & recommends changes & improvements to functional operations to better meet organizational needs & objectives.

Evaluation 5%

• Manages development and maintenance of evaluation processes including associated metrics and key performance indicators.
• Reviews & analyzes outcome measurements and recommends changes & enhancements to improve program/project.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners to implement changes designed to improve/increase program/project goals/objectives. 

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2 years program/project administration or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent interpersonal communication, organization, and administrative skills. 
• Demonstrated experiences with diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice leadership.
• Knowledge college student transition trends.
• Ability to maintain a working environment characterized by effective teamwork and collaboration with peers.
• A deep appreciation of and respect for academic values and culture and an understanding of the critical role that student transition, engagement, and development serves in sustaining and broadening belonging and affinity at the University.
• Ability to excel in a team environment.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, adult education, events management, or related degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2 years of event management experience.
• 2 years of experience working with diverse populations in a college setting.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.