"Director, Orientation and Transition"

Position Information

Position Title: Director, Orientation and Transition

Department: Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs

Posting Link: https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/61345

Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Division of Student Life invites applications for the Director of Orientation and Transition position. The Director works closely with partners across Undergraduate Education, Student Life, Enrollment Management, Student Retention, and the Office of Institutional Analysis to design coordinated, data-informed strategies that improve student success and close equity gaps across academic, social, financial, career and well-being aspects of their first year at the university. The role requires a leader who can translate student success and retention goals into actionable programming, build meaningful partnerships across the university, and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.

As Director, your responsibilities include:

• Partnership with Student Retention to facilitate the implementation and design of a comprehensive first-year experience strategy for the Division of Student Life aligned with the UB First Year Experience and institutional goals for student success and retention.
• Cultivates strong partnerships with Undergraduate Education, Enrollment Management, Student Retention, Advising, Student Engagement and Success, Parent and Family Programs, and other campus stakeholders to provide collaborative support for new students.
• Builds campus-wide awareness of first-year needs and coordinates divisional on-boarding strategies for students.
• Models inclusive leadership practices and trains staff to embed equity principles in their daily work.
• Promotes comprehensive and equitable programming that addresses diverse student needs and experiences including transfer and international student populations.
• Integrates student, faculty, and staff voices and feedback into program design and continuous improvement processes.
• Partners with Student Retention, Undergraduate Education, Assessment and Research, and Institutional Research teams to analyze retention and success data, engagement trends, and predictive analytics.
• Develop the annual budget plans in accordance with the Broad Base Fee process and manage and monitor financial resources regularly.

Our team recognizes the advantages diverse perspectives and backgrounds bring to the workplace. We are particularly interested in candidates who share this value and will work to achieve the universitys goals of inclusive excellence.

About Student Life

Student Life is dedicated to creating a student-centered environment that fosters engagement, well-being, and success. Guided by four strategic priorities-student engagement, health and wellness, personalized support, and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice-we provide transformative experiences that empower students to grow, lead, and thrive. As a member of Student Life, youll join a team of passionate professionals united by shared values and a commitment to student success. We think big, act boldly, and pursue excellence with purpose. Together, we build inclusive communities, champion discovery, and celebrate the achievements that shape the UB experience.

Learn more:

• Our benefits, where we prioritize your well-being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.
• Being a part of the University at Buffalo community.

About The University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of Americas leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home, UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others every day. Visit our website to learn more about University at Buffalo.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree with a minimum of 5 years of experience or masters degree or professional certification with a minimum of 3 years of experience
• Experience in student life or other professional setting with progressively increasing responsibilities in scope of supervision, student success and retention, or related areas.
• Primary experience in developing and delivering at least one programmatic function of a orientation or transition program
• Experience supervising full-time higher education professionals.
• Experience cultivating collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, parents and community members.
• Organizational skills to set goals, prioritize assignments, monitor performance, and exceed set expectations and deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in an academic or professional setting. Knowledge of and shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience working at multiple large public or private college/university setting.
• Direct experience with leading large complex university programs and initiatives
• Demonstrated successful collaboration with campus and community stakeholders
• Experience leading organizational change
• Experience with a variety of student onboarding models
• Active involvement in NODA or other national professional organization

Salary Range $105,000 - $125,000

Contact Information

Contact's Name: Trung Nguyen
Contact's Title: Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Success
Contact's Email: trungqng@buffalo.edu
Contact's Phone: 716-645-6026

Posting Dates
Posted: 02/27/2026
Date to be filled: 07/02/2026