"Director Of Advising And Orientation"

Position Summary

Date application must be received for priority consideration by: January 2, 2026
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: February 23, 2026
Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled:
Job Family Group: Administrative and Professional
Division/Department: Academic and Student Affairs/Advising and Orientation
Compensation Range (commensurate with experience): $4,827.05-$5,548.33 monthly or $57,924.60-$66,580 annually 1.0 FTE
FLSA Status: Exempt
Appointment Basis: 12-month
Time Type: Full-time
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration/Temporary: Renewable
This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: Yes
This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes
Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes
Work Location Type: On-campus
Work Hours: M-F (8:00a - 5:00p) Hours are subject to change with notice, some weekend and after hours
Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship

Special Instructions to Applicant

• Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) a letter providing some detail of the applicant's qualifications and interest in the position; and (2) current resume/CV. - PLEASE NOTE - during the application process, you will be prompted to attach these documents in the area titled 'Resume.' Please either combine ALL documents into ONE attachment, OR upload each item separately in this section. Failure to upload ALL of the required documents may disqualify application from consideration.
• For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at hrs@sou.edu or by phone at (541)552-8553.
• To view SOU's very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit benefits overview.

Position Description

The Director of Advising and Orientation at Southern Oregon University (SOU) provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for programs and services that support the successful transition, retention, and academic success of new, transfer, and first-year students. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students (AVP/DOS), the Director serves as a key member of the AVP/DOS leadership team, contributing to the development and implementation of strategies to enhance student success and retention outcomes. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing comprehensive orientation programs and first-year advising services that foster student belonging, engagement, and academic achievement. The Director will collaborate across campus departments, including Academic Affairs, Enrollment Services, and Student Affairs to create a seamless, student-centered experience that aligns with the university's mission and commitment to every student thriving.

The Director will oversee the coordination of all onboarding events and initiatives, including pre-orientation communications, orientation sessions (summer and fall), academic advising and registration processes, Week of Welcome, and first-year engagement activities. A key priority is the integration of orientation with new student advising and academic success initiatives to ensure new students are informed, prepared, and connected to university resources. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, adaptable, and passionate about serving students and families in a constantly evolving higher education environment. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on students' academic journeys while shaping the future of first-year success at SOU.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Public Administration, or related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in Academic advising, student orientation, transition, retention programs, or related fields in higher education.
• Demonstrated success in personnel (professional or paraprofessional) supervision, fiscal management, and program administration.
• Experience planning and executing events

Preferred Requirements

• Experience with Banner and/or DegreeWorks Experience with one or more of the following platforms: EAB Navigate360, Workday Student, and Nuventive (assessment tool).
• Experience leading orientation or first-year advising programs.
• Knowledge of student retention and success best practices.
• Experience with data collection, assessment, and analysis to inform program improvement.

Essential Functions

(40%) Advising
- Oversee a holistic first-year and new transfer student advising model that supports students' academic, personal, and social transition to SOU.
- Supervise and support professional advisors (Student Success Coordinators) who provide direct services to first-year students.
- Develop advising curriculum and resources that help students explore academic pathways, set goals, and connect to campus resources. Ensure that first-year advising practices are inclusive, equity-minded, and responsive to the needs of diverse student populations.
- Collaborate with faculty, academic departments, and Student Success Coordinators to provide seamless advising experiences for students. Implement advising assessment tools to measure student learning outcomes, satisfaction, and retention rates.
- Offer faculty advisor training to ensure consistent and accurate academic advising practices.

(35%) New Student Orientation
- Oversee the design, implementation, and execution of comprehensive orientation programs (summer, Fall and mid-year) across multiple formats (in-person and online) to foster student belonging, academic preparedness, and connection to SOU's community and resources.
- Collaborate with campus partners, including Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Enrollment Services to align orientation with institutional priorities.
- Develop and implement assessment strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of orientation programs and ensure continuous improvement.
- Oversee the coordination of all onboarding events and initiatives, including pre-orientation communications, orientation sessions, advising and registration processes, welcome weekend, and first-year engagement activities.
- Create accessible and inclusive orientation materials to support diverse student populations

(20%) Leadership and Administration
- Develop and manage the department's budget, including funding for orientation programs, and advising services.
- Serve as a key leader in SOU's student retention and success initiatives.
- Chair or participate in university committees related to student success, retention, and transition.
- Develop and deliver training sessions, workshops, and advising guides to support faculty advisors Foster partnerships with external organizations to support student transition and retention efforts.
- Engage in ongoing professional development and maintain current knowledge of best practices in orientation, advising, and student success.
- Develop and implement communication plans to effectively engage students, families, and campus partners.
- Coordinate & Chair the advising committee made up of Advisors & Coordinators from Trio Programs, Veterans Resource Center, Care Coordinators, Disability Resource Coordinators, Bridge, University Seminar, and Student Success Coordinators to ensure consistent information is being shared with all advisors supporting students in their academic progress.
- Maintain relationships with Academic Program Chairs & Deans to ensure academic pathway updates are communicated to all Student Success Coordinators and the Advising Committee

(5%) Other duties as assigned

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.
• Expressed ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
• Great ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
• Takes initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters
• Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Willingness to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.
• Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to provide training and direction to student assistants.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment utilizing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.
• Proficiency in budget management and data analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects effectively.
• High level of customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Knowledge of student advising models and best practices in first-year student success.
• Ability to design and implement orientation programs that support student transition.
• Experience with assessment tools to evaluate student outcomes and program effectiveness.
• Familiarity with student information systems (e.g., Banner, DegreeWorks, or similar systems).
• Capacity to collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners to enhance student experiences.

Physical Demands

• Normal office activities such as sitting/standing at a desk, using a computer, answering phones, and communicating in person both in writing and via phone with others.
• Must be able to move/transport up to 50 pounds

Special Conditions

• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
• This position classification has been defined as exempt and is not subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• The person holding this position is considered a mandatory reporter under the Oregon Revised Statutes and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Human Services.