Associate Director – Family Programs

George Mason University 
Associate Director – Family Programs 

The George Mason University Division of University Life invites applicants for the position of Associate Director for Family Programs within the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services (OFPS). George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment. 

George Mason University is an innovative, public, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. Located in the heart of northern Virginia’s technology corridor near Washington, D.C., the university attracts a diverse and talented student body of over 35,000. The university—its enrollment, academic programs, facilities and services—is expanding, as is its reputation. George Mason is an institution providing tremendous opportunity for students, faculty and staff. 

Responsibilities: 

Reporting to the Director, the Associate Director provides strategic and active management of all programming and outreach for family members, guests and siblings. The position is comprised of six main components: (1) planning and implementing the annual Family Weekend program; (2) designing and overseeing family programs during summer and winter Orientations; (3) supporting and leading welcome programming, including Move-In, the Preamble and Welcome2Mason; (4) overseeing the implementation of Siblings Weekend; (5) overseeing the development of a comprehensive communication and outreach plan for families; and (6) managing the Parent and Family Council, an advisory group dedicated to representing the interests of and supporting families during their student’s matriculation at Mason. Working together with the Associate Director for Orientation, the OFPS professional staff, and a dynamic team of student orientation leaders, this position will assist in implementing new student Orientation for over 7,000 new students and 8,000 family members annually. 

Required Qualifications: 

Master’s degree in higher education, student personnel, counseling or a related field; professional experience in a higher education environment that shows advancement into progressive leadership positions; strong working knowledge of new student and family programs, and student and family transitional issues; and experience designing, developing and executing large-scale programming initiatives. It is vital that candidates possess exceptional interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and have experience in creating and managing print, electronic and Web publications. Applicants must demonstrate experience designing and executing large-scale program assessment, and be able to analyze data and create meaningful reports. A qualified candidate will have highly developed organizational management and problem-solving skills, and must work accurately and efficiently in order to meet a multitude of deadlines and responsibilities. Candidates will have demonstrated leadership abilities, and must have a commitment to diversity and be comfortable working within diverse populations. Flexibility to work evening hours and weekends, particularly during summer months, is also a position requirement. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Three to five years of professional experience in a higher education environment that shows advancement into progressive leadership positions; and 
• Full-time staff supervisory experience and possess the ability to create a staff development plan that encompasses full- and part-time professional staff, paraprofessional staff, graduate students and undergraduate student leaders. 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number FA386z at http://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information. The anticipated start date for the position is November 1, 2017. A complete position description is available upon request. Review of applications will begin on September 29, 2017, and will continue until the position is filled. 

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.