Careers

Job
Summary:

The Director of Orientation and Transitions Programs will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing a comprehensive, developmental curriculum that supports students at key transition points in their college journey. With a primary focus on first-year students, commuter students, and transfer students, this role will oversee the development of structured programs that foster student success, belonging, and engagement from the moment they enter the institution. The Director will plan and implement fall and spring orientation programs and will have significant responsibility for the peer mentor program, part of the Rollins College Conference (RCC). As a long-term goal, the Director will provide key vision and leadership in creating a sophomore-year experience.

Reporting to the AVP & Dean of Students, the Director will lead, supervise, and mentor a department comprised of a graduate assistant/part-time employee, 4 undergraduate student coordinators, and 40 peer mentors. The Director will have the opportunity to design and teach RCC 300, a leadership course for the peer mentors.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape an intentional, research, and best-practice-based approach to student transitions - one that recognizes the unique needs of students at different stages and ensures they are equipped with the skills, support, and experiences necessary for personal and academic success. 

• Student Success Initiatives and Curriculum Development
  • Design and implement a developmental curriculum that supports student learning, engagement, and retention at key transition points that also fosters academic success, social belonging, leadership development, and well-being.
  • Partner with faculty and campus partners to integrate academic and co-curricular experiences into the student transition framework.
    
    
• Orientation & Peer Mentor Leadership
  • Oversee the planning and execution of new student orientation, and commuter and transfer student programming.
  • Develop a robust peer mentorship program, including the recruitment, training, and supervision of student coordinators and peer mentors who also serve as orientation leaders.
  • Ensure that orientation and transition programs are engaging and responsive to the needs of all student populations.
    
    
• Collaboration & Campus Partnerships
  • Work closely with Student Affairs colleagues, faculty, and institutional leadership to align transition programming with institutional priorities.
  • Work in collaboration with Admissions in the development of effective communication strategies for engaging new students and their families.
  • Collaborate with the Associate Dean of CLA in the process of course registration for new students
  • Establish partnerships with academic departments, student affairs departments, and student organizations to enrich the student experience beyond the first year.
  • Leverage data and student feedback to continuously improve programs and measure impact.
    
    
• Administration & Assessment
  • Develop and manage budgets related to orientation, the peer mentor program, and transition programming.
  • Implement assessment strategies to evaluate program effectiveness and student learning outcomes.
  • Stay current on best practices and research in student transitions and retention and integrate findings into program development.
    
    
• Other Duties and Responsibilities
  
  • Serve on divisional or college-wide committees, task forces, and search committees.
  • Help the college research, design, and implement future sophomore-year experiences and initiatives.
  • Support Rollins events, including but not limited to: Convocations, Graduation, Family Weekend, Fox Day etc.
  • Mentor and engage with students during formal and informal occasions, while also being a leading supporter and advocate for student development.
  • Maintain key campus partnerships.

Minimum Qualifications & Education:

• Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, College Student Development, Counseling, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in student success, transition programming, orientation, or academic support.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Teaching experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience in curriculum design, student development theory, strategic planning, and program assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop student-centered programming that meets the needs of all populations.
  Strong skills in collaboration, communication, and project management.
• Demonstrated leadership of student programs.
• Desire and ability to inspire new programs that create pathways for new students to develop meaningful relationships, have common experiences, and reflect on who they are as part of their orientation and integration into college life.
• Understanding and ability to frame and communicate programs through the lens of student development theory and higher education best practices.
• Ability to engage a wide variety of constituents, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents/families.
• Skill and experience in promoting dialogue among people with different and sometimes conflicting perspectives.
• A flexible management style, excellent skill in eliciting institution-wide buy-in, and eagerness to collaborate, cooperate, and consult with departments across the campus.
• Ability to plan and organize, execute strategic initiatives, and meet project objectives on time.

Work Environment:

• Campus-based, front-facing position, working in an office environment. 
• Work requires visual strain and the use of a computer.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as appropriate for business needs.

Instructions to Applicants:

To apply, please submit an application and upload the following materials:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

**Priority will be given to those who apply by March 28th and review of applicants will continue until the position is closed.**

Benefits & Perks:

• 25 Days - Paid Time Off (vacation, sick and personal time)
• 10 Days - Paid Holidays
• 5 Days - Paid College Closure Days
• Eligible for Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurances (within 30 days of hire)
• 100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account ($125+/month)
• 100% Employer-Paid Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Domestic Partner Benefits
• 11.5% Employer Retirement Contributions
• Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
• Free On-Campus Parking
• Free Access to Campus Amenities (gyms, pools, library, sporting events and more)
• Free Full Tuition for Employees and their Families
• Pet Insurance
• 100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Award-Winning Wellbeing Programs
• Plus More!

Additional Perks:

• Rollins College is conveniently located on multiple Lynx Bus Routes (Winter Park/Rosemont-9 &  Winter Park/Springs Village-23) and within walking distance from the Winter Park SunRail Station
• Local & National Discount Programs, including Winter Park Locations (i.e. shops, restaurants, gift cards, and more)
• Free E-Training Courses & Professional Development Opportunities
• IT Software & Laptop Discounts (Apple, Lenovo, and more)
• College Bookstore Discounts 
• Annual Service Awards & Recognition Programs
• Discover what it's like to live in Orlando: Live, Work, Play and Learn
• Plus More!

Rollins offers a competitive salary, along with our generous full-time benefits package. Click here to review our full benefits package.

Our Service 
Excellence Philosophy:

At Rollins, we strive to be responsive, respectful, collaborative, competent, and inclusive in all that we do. Whether serving prospective or current students, alumni, local residents, or our fellow faculty and staff colleagues, these standards define the Rollins service experience.

Click here to learn more about our commitment to Service Excellence at Rollins College!

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Rollins College is an equal opportunity institution. Rollins does not discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, age, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical characteristics, or any other category protected by College policy or federal, state, or local law for employment and in our educational programs and activities. To learn more about our commitments, visit click here. Any applicant who requires reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or hiring process may contact us by phone or in writing to humanresources@rollins.edu | 407.646.2102.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Service Months:

12