Assistant Director for Orientation & Academic Engagement
Westchester, IL - USA
Job Summary
This position reports to the Assistant Vice Provost for Orientation Transitions and Academic Engagement. Serving as a bridge between Admissions Student Affairs and Academic Affairs the Assistant Director ensures that enrollment and orientation processes are operationally sound mission-aligned and designed to support students academic transition to the university.
Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities
Supervision & Staffing Leadership
- Recruit interview train supervise and evaluate student staff and orientation leaders who provide critical peer support for new students.
- Develop and deploy a comprehensive engaging student staff training program that prepares them for a multi-faceted detail-oriented and relational job.
- Oversee student staff scheduling to strategically manage student talent and maximize campus impact.
- Manage student staff hiring processes and approve timesheets in Workday.
- Manage the student staff communication plan ensuring student staff receive a warm guided onboarding process and remain motivated to contribute to the success of the program and new students on campus.
- Ensure staff are well-trained in institutional messaging customer service and FERPA-compliant practices.
Orientation & Operational Planning
- Assist in the planning and execution of orientation and academic engagement programs that support students in building relationships and making a successful start at the university.
- Support operations and planning for large-scale orientation programming for 2000 new students including managing space reservations supervising external vendor set-ups monitoring catering arrangements and submitting requests for required campus services.
- Manage student and guest accessibility requests.
- Support parents and families during students onboarding process by coordinating information resources and services related to orientation and academic engagement.
- Track student attendance and participation for strategic assessment and outcome purposes.
- Develop and deliver innovative thoughtful make-up orientation programming for students who miss the required new student events.
Enrollment Strategy Registration & Yield Support
- Manage new student enrollment communication and processes ensuring clarity accessibility and timely completion.
- Collaborate closely with Admissions and Enrollment Management to support recruitment-to-matriculation strategies.
- Support targeted outreach to deposited students to encourage engagement and reduce melt.
- Serve as a subject-matter expert on new student registration systems and enrollment timelines.
Student Outreach
- Support onboarding communication planning efforts in collaboration with Admissions and Marketing and Communications.
- Ensure messaging aligns with recruitment yield and onboarding timelines.
- Develop content that drives student action and engagement with university enrollment and matriculation tasks.
- Support segmented and targeted communication strategies based on student status demographics and engagement levels.
- Maintain accurate and accessible web and digital content related to onboarding and orientation programs.
Retention & Student Success Collaboration
- Partner with Academic Advisors the Office of the Registrar and Student Affairs to support early institutional connections and academic preparedness.
- Identify early indicators of risk (e.g. non-registration) and coordinate interventions such as call campaigns and personalized outreach.
- Support retention-focused initiatives that connect enrollment processes to long-term student success.
Assessment Data & Continuous Improvement
- Collect and analyze data related to yield registration completion program participation and retention.
- Coordinate and conduct focus groups on a regular basis.
- Prepare dashboards and reports for Enrollment Management leadership.
- Use assessment results to recommend operational and strategic improvements.
Loyola Marymount University Expectations
Exhibit behavior that supports the mission vision and values of the university. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional responsible accountable and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.
Requisite Qualifications
- Bachelors degree
- Minimum of 25 years of experience in enrollment services admissions operations orientation new student programs academic advising event planning university operations or related field.
- Typically a Masters degree in Higher Education Administration Student Affairs Educational Leadership Counseling Psychology Project Management Marketing or a related field or equivalent experience. Incumbent will be expected to continue upgrading knowledge skills and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy changes.
- Demonstrated experience working with large-scale programming complex processes and multi-faceted projects.
- Strong analytical organizational and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Masters degree in Higher Education Administration Enrollment Management Student Affairs Educational Leadership Counseling Psychology Project Management or a related field.
- Experience working within Enrollment Management or Admissions offices.
- Experience managing institutional peer mentorship programs.
- Familiarity with Slate CRM system and event management tools.
- Experience using data to support enrollment and student success initiatives.
Working Conditions & Expectations
- Evening and weekend work required during peak enrollment and orientation periods.
- High level of collaboration with Admissions and Enrollment Management teams expected.
- This role is a campus-based position that works on the Loyola Marymount University Westchester campus in Los Angeles California.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required of this position.
#HERC# #HEJ#
Staff RegularSalary range
$71100.00 - $88900.00 Salary commensurate with education and experience.Please note that this position may not be eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Loyola Marymount University a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence the education of the whole person and the building of a just society. LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal state and local law. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being life experience and beliefs to apply. (Visit for more information.)Required Experience:
Director
Key Skills
About Company
LMU is a top-ranked Catholic university rooted in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions. We offer a rigorous academic experience to ambitious students committed to lives of meaning and purpose.