Assistant Director of Orientation and Student Advancement

Posting Summary

The Assistant Director of Orientation and Student Advancement at the University of Vermont plays a vital role in advancing the university's goals for student belonging, engagement, and retention from orientation through graduation. This position leads the recruitment, selection, training, and supervision of over 200 undergraduate Orientation Leaders (OLs) and Team Leads (TLs), who serve as mentors and ambassadors for new students and their families. A core responsibility is the strategic design and execution of a multi-day training program that prepares student leaders to deliver inclusive, peer-led support during orientation and beyond. The Assistant Director also oversees the university-wide Traditions Challenge program, fostering school spirit and campus connection through the celebration of UVM traditions. Reporting to the Director of Orientation and Student Advancement, this role collaborates with campus partners and contributes to departmental communications, assessment, and post-orientation programming. In alignment with institutional retention priorities, the Assistant Director supports targeted outreach and student success initiatives aimed at strengthening belonging and persistence.

Minimum Qualifications (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with two to three years of experience in a higher education setting with student leadership development or student activities.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising student staff or peer leaders.
• Proven ability to plan and implement large-scale programs or training events, including logistics and stakeholder coordination.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create content for diverse audiences such as students, families, and campus partners.
• Commitment to fostering inclusion and belonging in all aspects of work and student engagement.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong working relationships with students and campus stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to deliver high-quality, responsive, and empathetic customer service to students and families.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), and comfort learning new systems and technology tools.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, or a related field.
• Experience using Slate, Navigate360, or other CRM platforms for student communication and data tracking.
• Experience developing and implementing social media campaigns for student engagement.
• Knowledge of best practices in student onboarding, orientation, and retention.
• Familiarity with assessment practices and using data to inform programming decisions and improve student success outcomes.
• Understanding of the experiences and needs of first-generation, transfer, or other underrepresented student populations.
• Experience implementing tradition-based programming or campus spirit initiatives as a tool for student engagement and retention.
• Graphic design or content creation skills (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) for outreach and promotional materials.

Anticipated Pay Range

$57,000 to $59,345

Other Information

Special Conditions: External candidates must complete a 4-month probationary period, Bargaining unit position, Occasional evening and/or weekends required (if non-exempt position, may result in overtime), Background Check required for this position

FLSA: Exempt

Union Position: Yes, UVMSU

Job Location: Burlington, Vermont, United States

Job Close Date: 7/3/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Department: Orientation/30215

For full job description and to apply, visit https://www.uvmjobs.com/postings/81703