Director, Orientation and Transition Programs

Director, Orientation and Transition Programs

Business Title: Director, Orientation and Transition Programs

Employee Type: Admin. Professional

The Opportunity:

As the Director of Orientation and Transition Programs for Enrollment at Washington State University, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight for WSU Pullman's comprehensive orientation and transition initiatives. You will guide the vision and direction for spring orientation, population-specific orientation programs, summer and fall programs, Week of Welcome, and other key transition experiences that support new students and their families. Through extensive collaboration with academic and student service units, you will help design and deliver welcoming, cohesive, and effective orientation experiences that promote student success from the very beginning.

You will work closely with the Assistant Directors of Orientation, providing strategic direction while they oversee day-of implementation and operations. Together, you will ensure seamless delivery of programs that reflect institutional priorities and best practices in student onboarding and transition.

In partnership with the AVP, you will lead the development of new initiatives and the enhancement of existing programs that directly support the university's enrollment, retention, and student success goals. You will also play a key role in shaping components of the recruitment cycle by overseeing aspects of new-student onboarding and engagement.

You will manage fiscal planning and resource allocation, including developing and overseeing orientation-related budgets, approving travel and expenditures, and ensuring responsible stewardship of resources. In addition, you will strengthen and expand partnerships both on and off campus, lead the development and execution of targeted communication strategies, establish measurable goals, and use data and assessment to inform continuous improvement.

As a leader, you will directly supervise Assistant Directors and other support staff, providing coaching, guidance, and professional development. You will also support the Assistant Directors in their supervision of up to 50 student staff members, helping to shape robust training programs and contributing to the development of students, staff, and any associated university leadership or training courses.

Finally, you will collaborate closely with Enrollment Management leadership to build and expand cross-unit partnerships and identify new opportunities that enhance the university's overall onboarding process. Through this collaboration, you will help ensure alignment with institutional enrollment objectives and create a coordinated, student-centered experience from recruitment through transition and beyond.

Director will work with system orientation staff as needed.

Additional Information:

Posting Closing Date: Applicants must submit their completed application by February 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

This is a full (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime exempt.

Monthly Salary: $6,733 - $10,533 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• Positions require a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and six (6) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. A Master's degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment.
• Experience supervising professional staff.
• Budgetary experience.
• Experience with data, CRM technology and systematic reporting.
• Experience with program planning and execution.
• Experience presenting to large groups.
• Proficient in Microsoft office.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree, preferably in student development, higher education administration, or related field.
• Increasing levels of responsibility in higher education student facing roles.
• Experience leading orientation and transition programs.
• Experience with program assessment.
• Experience with PeopleSoft and Slate CRM.

Area/College: Enrollment

Department Name: Orientation and Transition Programs

Location: Pullman

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the 'Application Document' section of your application.

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the 'Resume/Cover Letter' section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.