Assistant Director, Parent and Family Programs

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Assistant Director, Parent and Family Programs

Xavier University is seeking a dedicated and mission-driven Assistant Director for Parent & Family Programs. This role provides leadership, vision, and day-to-day coordination for initiatives that engage and support parents and family members as vital partners in student success. The Assistant Director plays an important role in advancing Xavier’s commitment to belonging, engagement, and student development by creating meaningful opportunities for families to connect with the University community during key transition points and throughout the student experience.

The Assistant Director reports to the Associate Director for Leadership & Transition Programs. The position serves as the primary point of contact for Xavier parents and family members, leads major family-facing initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Facilitate orientation programming for more than 2,000 parents and family members during Manresa New Student Orientation for more than 2,000 family members.
• Coordinate and execute family weekend programming serving more than 4,000 family members.
• Create a Parent Ambassador Program focused on parent volunteerism, engagement events, and community building.
• Seek innovative and creative programming initiatives to engage family members in the Xavier community, particularly during key transition moments.
• Collaborate with university marketing to create targeted family communications including a family calendar, newsletter, video/webinar series, and more.
• Serve as the main point of contact for questions and concerns through phone, email, and social media communications.
• Coordinate a referrals system to other Xavier departments or services.
• Collaborate effectively with student support services such as Residence Life, Care & Support, Counseling & Health Services, Campus Police, Office of Advising & Learning Support, etc.
• Serve as a campus-wide consultant on parent & family engagement, advising departments on best practices for working effectively with families.
• Advocate for family perspectives in institutional planning while maintaining professional boundaries and student-centered decision-making.
• Partner with Marketing & Communications and Advancement to create accurate and usable parent and family data access and management.
• Build partnerships with campus offices including Athletics, Center for International Education, Strategic Enrollment Management, and University Advancement to develop family-specific programming.
• Consult professional associations and cultivate relationships with other universities with strong parent & family programming.
• Promote and serve as representative of the Office of Student Involvement, Gallagher Student Center, Commuter Services, Student Affairs and Xavier University:
• Contribute to departmental and divisional programming, event planning, and assessment efforts.
• Support divisional teams, committees, and work groups.
• Serve on university-wide teams, committees, task forces, and work groups as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree required in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel or related field
• 1-3 years of relevant experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Depth of knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts and practices and ability to use in complex, difficult and/or unprecedented situations.
• Advanced communication (written and verbal) skills, analytical skills, project/process management skills, and computer/technical skills
• Basic office/administrative support skills
• Internal and external interaction/collaboration of the following:
  + Exchange routine, information and/or answering routine questions.
  + Exchange detailed information or resolve varied problems.
  + Access to and/or works with sensitive and/or confidential information.
  + Identify the needs/concerns of others, determine potential solutions, resolve or redirect appropriately.
  + Develop and maintain relationships to enhance workflow and work quality.
  + Resolve conflict, negotiate, or collaborate on major projects.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/OTHER DUTIES:

• Ability to perform other job-related duties as assigned
• Office Environment: Employees are protected from weather conditions and contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.
• Often it involves sitting, typing, listening, and talking.
• Occasionally involves standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, kneeling, squatting, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 30 pounds.

To ensure consideration, interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume on Xavier University's website. Review of applications will start on May 1, 2026 and will be accepted until the position closes at the University’s discretion.

Candidates selected for the final stages of the interview process will be asked to provide the names and contact information of three professional references.

Xavier University is part of the 500-year-old Jesuit Catholic tradition of academic excellence in the liberal arts. Guided by our mission and values, we welcome and support members from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. We unreservedly commit to open and free inquiry, deliberately seek out multiple perspectives, and create a campus where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Our campus is located in the vibrant and thriving city of Cincinnati, which has an array of neighborhoods and activities to suit many interests.

Benefits - applies only to full-time positions:

Xavier University offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and employment class:

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage.
• Tax advantaged accounts including health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care account.
• Financial security via life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave and holidays.
• Tuition remission for employees and their eligible dependents.