Director of Orientation and First Year Experience - Denison University

Opportunity to enhance and evolve established programs
• Deep collaboration with faculty and academic partners
• Lead and develop a dedicated team
• Chance to help build a new Sophomore Experience initiative

Another Source's client, Denison University, is recruiting a Director of Orientation and First-Year Experience to join their team in Granville, Ohio. This role plays a key part in shaping the student experience, working closely with faculty and campus partners to support student transition, engagement, and success.

Here's a little about Denison University and the position they are recruiting for:

Denison University is a private liberal arts college known for its rigorous academics, strong sense of community, and commitment to developing the whole student. Located in Granville, Ohio-just outside Columbus-Denison serves approximately 2,400 students and is recognized for its residential campus experience, personalized education, and focus on preparing students for lives of purpose and leadership.

With an emphasis on intellectual curiosity, global perspective, and student engagement, Denison fosters an environment where students are deeply connected to both academic and co-curricular experiences. The university continues to invest in student success initiatives that enhance belonging, retention, and overall student experience.

Your Impact

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to shape how students experience their transition into college-and beyond. As Director of Orientation and First-Year Experience, you will lead the strategy, design, and execution of programs that set the foundation for student success at Denison.

This role sits at the center of student life and academic collaboration, partnering across campus to create a cohesive and engaging experience for first-year and sophomore students. You'll have the opportunity to influence retention, belonging, and student development through innovative programming, data-informed decision-making, and strong cross-campus partnerships.

What you will be doing:

• Lead the vision, strategy, and execution of comprehensive orientation programs for first-year and transfer students

• Design and implement a year-long First-Year Experience (FYE) program that supports academic success, social integration, and personal development

• Partner with faculty, the Provost's Office, and campus stakeholders to integrate academic and co-curricular experiences into orientation and FYE programming

• Create inclusive, engaging programming that fosters belonging, curiosity, and community connection

• Oversee assessment strategies, using data to evaluate program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement

• Manage program budgets, timelines, and overall operations for orientation and transition initiatives

• Supervise and develop staff and student leaders supporting orientation and FYE efforts

• Support sophomore student engagement initiatives to sustain momentum beyond the first year

• Participate in an on-call rotation and support key campus events, including evenings and weekends as needed

What you will bring:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related field

• 5+ years of professional experience in higher education or student affairs

• Understanding of the first-year experience within a residential liberal arts college environment

• Knowledge of best practices supporting student transition, engagement, and retention

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and families

• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills

• Experience supervising professional or student staff

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and execute complex programs

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace tools

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in higher education or student affairs

• Experience developing and facilitating workshops or student programming

What's in it for you:

• Salary range: $88,000 - $93,000; relocation support available

• Opportunity to shape the student experience at a highly regarded liberal arts institution

• Collaborative campus culture with strong cross-functional partnerships

• Access to a vibrant residential campus community and professional development opportunities

• To learn more about benefits, please visit: https://denison.edu/campus/human-resources/benefits-programs

Application Process:
All applications must include a cover letter and contact information for at least three professional references at the time of submission. Applications received by May 5th will receive full consideration.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
Denison University is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis, to maximize the recruiting process. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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