Director for New Student Programs

Job Code: 7506 | Grade: J | Status: Full-time, exempt, continuing | Location: Hybrid (at least 4 days on campus each week); fully onsite in the summer and while programs run

Reports to: Associate Dean for New Student and Co-Curricular Programs

Heralded as a hub of undergraduate innovation, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) creates and sustains meaningful interactions between students and faculty both within and outside the classroom. As a team member of VPUE, you have a unique opportunity to advance and support programs that touch and enhance the lives of every undergraduate student at Stanford.

The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) is seeking a Director for New Student Programs within the Office of Academic Advising. Reporting to the Associate Dean for New Student and Co-Curricular Programs, the Director has primary responsibility for directing freshman and new transfer transition programming on behalf of the University. University high profile programs, new student requirements, and communications overseen by the Director, in close collaboration with many senior administrators and key campus partners across Stanford, include Approaching Stanford, New Student Move-In, and New Student Orientation (one of Stanford’s “Big 5” events). The Director will also oversee the onboarding and orientation for mid-year and off-cycle enrollees. Additionally, the Director is responsible for establishing the University’s relationship with new students’ parents and family members. This position serves as a content expert in new student onboarding, orientation, and transition and will serve as a campus leader and key partner in developing class community and belonging to Stanford for new undergraduate students. The Director will manage three professional and administrative staff members who will be responsible for supervising a team of six paid student staff members and approximately 60 student orientation volunteers. The Director will have direct budgetary responsibility for approximately $1.25 million.

In this role, you will:

• Manage professional staff: Assistant Director, Systems Administrator, and Program Associate, make hiring decisions, provide coaching and mentoring, and manage performance and staffing levels.
• Lead university programming by directing the processes and programs for onboarding, orienting, and guiding the transition of all incoming undergraduate first-year and new transfer students to Stanford through Approaching Stanford and New Student Orientation.
• Identify and establish collaborative working relationships and shared learning outcomes with key campus partners such as Undergraduate Admission, Academic Advising, Summer Bridge, Residential Education, Stanford Introductory Studies, Housing Assignments, Office of Accessible Education, the Bechtel International Center, and Athletics, as well as with external partners such as vendors, apps, and other institutions.
• Interpret, implement and ensure compliance of new student programs and processes with university, academic and administrative policies. Recommend new internal policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Manage the implementation of technology in new student programming to enhance effectiveness, compliance, and business processes, specifically the Approaching Stanford Forms, weekly e-Newsletters, digital Handbook, Canvas online course and new student requirements, Cvent, and general website strategy and management.
• Using advanced technical and professional knowledge regarding residential college life, the undergraduate experience at large research universities, and new student transition, identify, clarify, and resolve program issues and concerns with substantial significance related to new student requirements in accordance with established policies and procedures spanning multiple areas. Use independent judgment and advanced knowledge to mediate complex and sensitive issues, particularly for individual new student situations.
• Independently make decisions regarding projects and initiatives within confines established by management. Represent the New Student & Co-Curricular Programs Team, Academic Advising, VPUE, and Stanford to incoming students and their families, campus partners, and external partners and schools.
• Respond to inquiries related to new students regarding university policies/procedures and academic rules/regulations requiring interpretation; provide recommendations for correction.
• Develop long range planning and policy development for new student programming. Manage, develop, and forecast program budgets taking into account class size.
• Some nights and weekend work will be required for event implementation.
• Frequently sit, perform desk-based computer tasks. Occasionally stand, walk, twist, use fine manipulation, grasp, use a telephone, write by hand, sort and file paperwork, lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• * - Other duties may also be assigned*

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, including new students, student leaders, parental contacts, faculty, campus partners, and all levels of management.
• Advanced computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite, as well as relevant computer systems/technology experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to review and analyze complex information, including financial information.
• Strong leadership and strategic management skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing people.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse student body.

In addition, preferred qualifications include:

• Experience in higher education setting.
• Experience with onboarding and transition programs and processes at Stanford (Approaching Stanford, New Student Orientation, mid-year process).

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.*

About the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE)

For undergraduates, VPUE is the nexus for programs and initiatives that help students define and achieve their intellectual ambitions at Stanford. These include investigative introductory courses taught by esteemed faculty, targeted classes in writing and rhetoric, undergraduate research support, academic advising and mentoring, overseas and off-campus study programs, and undergraduate scholarships and fellowships. For faculty, VPUE serves as a principal conduit for furthering interaction with undergraduates and discovering ways in which working with students can enrich one’s research agenda. VPUE advocates for undergraduate education in collaboration with faculty, departments and schools across Stanford. All VPUE resources are dedicated to involving faculty with the undergraduate experience, connecting students with phenomenal opportunities and fully realizing a liberal education at Stanford.

https://undergrad.stanford.edu/

The expected pay range for this position is $126,271 - $159,445 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to work for an organization that nurtures diversity, respect, professional development and a comfortable work-life fit, we invite you to explore this opportunity and apply online. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume along with your online application. Your one-page cover letter should briefly describe your background and experience in working with undergraduate students as they explore academic and co-curricular choices.

Completed applications will be reviewed on 2/10/26

http://stanfordcareers.stanford.edu