Assistant Director, Student Leadership Development

Department: Student Transition Experiences
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

The Office of Student Transition Experiences (OSTE) supports undergraduate students in navigating their unique transition to and through Northwestern by providing intentional learning experiences and fostering connection through timely community partnerships. Focused on student-centered design, OSTE's professional staff and student leaders work together to develop programs and initiatives for undergraduate students from the time they confirm enrollment through the end of their third year, including orientation programs, communication strategies, and transition-related initiatives. Learn more about the Office of Student Transition Experiences here: https://www.northwestern.edu/newstudent/about/

Job Summary:

The Assistant Director of Student Leadership Development supports the development and success of the student leadership roles of the office through recruitment, selection, and training of 230 student leaders who support Northwestern's orientation programs.

The Assistant Director of Student Leadership Development supports the OSTE's efforts by overseeing the advising, recruitment, selection, and training processes for 230+ student leaders responsible for executing the University's undergraduate new student orientation programs. The role oversees the development and delivery of orientation and transition programs for approximately 2,200 first-year students and 250 transfer students each year, partnering with units across the Division of Student Affairs, undergraduate schools, Athletics, and external community constituents.

The Assistant Director:

• Assess and addresses the learning and development of 230+ student leadership positions, implementing strategies to increase knowledge in facilitation, supporting students in transition, and navigation of university resources.
• Advances student transition, learning, belonging, and engagement through lenses of access and community-centered approaches.
• Develops and supports co-curricular student programming that aligns with broader University goals and efforts.
• Builds strong, collaborative relationships with campus partners across the Division of Student Affairs, Undergraduate education, students, and faculty/staff in support of building an extraordinary academic and student experience.

Pay Range: $59,000 to $62,667 depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.

Principal Accountabilities:

Student Support 35%

• Manages recruitment, application evaluation, interview, selection and notification of students or participants.
• Implements an advising system to support all students, including working directly with prospective and enrolled students on issues ranging from qualifications for enrollment, course and placement planning, as well as career planning.
• Implements a department strategy for structure, process, and staff support of students.

Program Development 15%

• Supervises creation of components, including curriculum development,
• Oversee development and implementation of new program/project initiatives.
• Manages relationships with partners, foundations, etc. and coordinates logistical support
• Continually assesses and innovates program/project to achieve educational goals.
• Develops strategy for program/project growth and expansion.

Events 15%

• Manages programming, student, alumni, workshops, meetings, etc. including speakers, agendas, etc
• Manages planning and arrangement of meetings, workshops, events, etc. designed to exchange information, promote research objectives, and to build internal and external relationships within NU.
• Manages event details including communication, venues, presenters, travel arrangements, materials, refreshments and technology are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.

Evaluation 10%

• Manages development and maintenance of evaluation processes including associated metrics and key performance indicators.
• Reviews and analyzes outcome measurements and recommends changes and enhancements to improve program/project.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners to implement changes designed to improve/increase program/project goals/objectives.

Communication, Outreach, Recruitment 10%

• Identifies opportunities and strategies for short- and long-term growth and expansion.
• Creates and implements program/project brand identity and marketing and advertising strategy.
• Oversees marketing of new and current programs, working with partner institutions and media to ensure marketing plan effectively targets applicants, sponsors, etc.
• Ensures that all advertising and marketing materials accurately represent programs.

Strategic Planning 5%

• Manages and implements strategic plans.
• Provides advice and counsel and recommends changes and improvements to functional operations to better meet organizational needs and objectives.

Administration 5%

• Oversees and ensures that day-to-day operations are appropriately managed, efficient and effective.
• Develops, maintains and reports on quantitative and qualitative performance measures.

Budgets and Financials 5%

• Oversees accurate, efficient and compliant workflow of all transactional processes across areas/units.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2 years program/project administration or other relevant experience.

Minimum Competencies:

• Supervisory and training experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in higher education administration, adult education, events management, or related degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, organization, and administrative skills.
• Experience working with a broad range of populations in a college setting.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Competencies:

• Knowledge of higher education trends, federal and state laws and regulations, and the ability to interpret those to a broad range of audiences.
• Ability to maintain a working environment characterized by effective teamwork and collaboration with peers.
• A deep appreciation of and respect for academic values and culture and an understanding of the critical role that student transition, engagement, and development serves in sustaining and broadening belonging and affinity at the University.
• Ability to excel in a team environment.

Working Conditions:

• Assigned to work evenings and/or weekends; Evening and weekend hours most concentrated in January, February, August, and September.
• Will work in a shared workspace. May be reassigned to an alternative workspace based on seasonal department needs.

Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness: Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth and Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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