Assistant Director, Orientation and Leadership Programs - Student Affairs

Location: Albany, NY Category: Promotional Posted On: Thu Apr 9 2026 Job Description:

This position reports to the Associate Director of Orientation and Leadership within the Department of Student Engagement & Belonging. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with departmental staff to aid the Director in developing and managing a comprehensive Orientation program at the University at Albany.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Orientation Programming

• Oversee orientation programs including New Student Connection Days and Orientation Programs for First Year, Transfer Students, and Family Members throughout the year.

• Coordinate program logistics, including scheduling, space reservations, dining services, and purchasing.

• Oversee the formation, vetting, and coordination of presentation materials for all programs.

• Participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of program activities; identify problems and implement improvements.

• Serve as a primary resource to students, staff, and others on programmatic policies and procedures.

• Collaborate with internal and external departments to develop partnerships and joint projects.

• Make budget recommendations and monitor approved expenditures.

• Lead a team of university and community stakeholders to plan and coordinate the 17 Rooms of Service initiative during Welcome Week.

• Orientation Student Staff Management

• Design and oversee the recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of student staff, including graduate level staff, interns, and orientation leaders.

• Manage the hiring and onboarding processes and supervise student staff, including graduate level staff, interns, and orientation leaders.

• Create and deliver training curricula for student staff on leadership, community development, conflict resolution, group facilitation, and crisis management.

• Orientation Technology

• Manage communications and orientation registration processes through Slate platform.

• Assess Orientation Program efficiency using Qualtrics, develop reports, and provide insight to consider adjusting the program accordingly.

• Develop virtual orientation content when necessary, using videoconferencing and learning management software.

• Assist the Associate Director to update Orientation website content.

• Leadership Development

• Assist the Associate Director with the development and implementation of group and individual leadership programs and sessions.

• Student Engagement & Belonging Events

• Support Welcome Week, Student Leadership Awards, and other large-scale events managed by Student Engagement and Belonging.

• Departmental Support

• Assists in establishing and implementing goals and objectives.

• Assists in creating the department's strategic plan.

• Interacts with Director and staff members regarding topics to help identify opportunities for improvement.

• Work with all Student Engagement & Belonging professional staff members to actively communicate and market all programs through print media, electronic media, social media, special events and any other efforts deemed appropriate to effectively reach the University Community.

• Maintains a positive relationship with other personnel and departments that assist in the development of Student Engagement & Belonging programs, services, and facilities.

• Represents the department and The University at Albany on various committees, boards, and associations.

• Interact with students, faculty, and staff for the benefit of carrying out the mission of the department.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

• Reports to the Associate Director of Orientation & Leadership, Student Engagement & Belonging

• Supervises Graduate level staff assigned to Orientation

• Supervises Student staff assigned to Orientation

• Supervises Interns assigned to Orientation

Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong technical skills with platforms regularly used in higher education orientation such as Slate, Canva, and Campus Labs, etc.

• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.

• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.

• Two or more years of professional experience working in a higher education setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, and/or related field.

• Direct experience working with a college or university Orientation program.

Working Environment:

• A majority of this job includes a typical office environment; however, candidate must be willing to sometimes be outdoors.

• May require evening and weekend hours on occasion.

Additional Information:

This is a promotional opportunity for current UAlbany employees.

Eligibility for Consideration:

• You must be employed at the University at Albany campus.

• You must be in a State-funded UUP professional position (MC employees are not eligible).

• You must have a permanent, term, or probationary appointment. Only temporary employees employed by UAlbany for three or more consecutive years can be considered eligible.

For details concerning the University's Promotion Policy for Professional Employees, please see HR Memorandum 88-4 ( .

Professional Rank and Salary Grade: Senior Staff Assistant, SL3, $57,151-60,000.

Special Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that UAlbany is not an E-Verify employer.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link (

Pursuant to NYS Labor Law 194-A, no State entity, as defined by the Law, is permitted to rely on, orally or in writing seek, request, or require in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current wage, or salary history as a condition to be interviewed, or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation, and for the purpose of verifying information, may such requests be made. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected].

THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY IS AN EO/AA/IRCA/ADA EMPLOYER

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