Department: University Life

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax

Telework Friendly: Yes

Salary: Starting in the low 70k's; commensurate with education and experience

About the Department:

New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) is a centralized and comprehensive department, within the Division of University Life, whose primary purpose is to foster engagement, build community, establish a tradition, and affect retention through three coordinated initiatives: undergraduate orientation and new student programs, parent and family outreach, and leadership development. With special attention to transition and the first-year experience, the New Student and Family Programs office provides innovative programs and services that facilitate the social and academic acclimation process for George Mason University students and their families.

About the Position:

Reporting to the Director of NSFP, the Associate Director for Family Programs provides strategic and active management of various components of the department. The position is comprised of several components: (1) direct the development and implementation of a comprehensive family communication and outreach plan; (2) provide vision and leadership for comprehensive programming and service delivery specifically designed to engage families of Mason students; (3) develop and implement a comprehensive assessment plan for the Mason family experience and programs; (4) oversee the development and implementation of Family Weekend and Family Orientation as signature events at the university, as well as other university-wide events that involve families; and (5) supervision and management of professional staff and Student Family Programs team. The position also supports and provides leadership for various programs and functions of the unit. As an integral member of the NSFP leadership team, the Associate Director provides direction and support for a wide range of division initiatives and serves as an active ambassador for the George Mason community.

Responsibilities:

• Provide vision and leadership for comprehensive programming and service delivery specifically designed to engage families of Mason students:
  • Assist in fundraising efforts for the Parent and Family Fund, in collaboration with University Life (UL) Advancement; and
  • Participate in the request and allocation process for Parent and Family Fund grants. Support the Mason Parent and Family Council, including member recruitment and selection and facilitation of bi-annual meetings, volunteer activities, and other responsibilities. Manage Family Programs budget ($350,000), in coordination with Business Manager and Director. Serve as main contact for key unit stakeholders and develop partnerships for first-year experience programs and initiatives.

• Direct the creation of communication content and plans for Family Programs, including event emails and signage, newsletter posts, and internal processes and trainings. Lead a strategy for virtual outreach opportunities to engage families from a distance:
  • Coordinate the creation and dissemination of family survey content and program micro-assessments. Lead the coordination, development, and implementation of comprehensive family communication via Mason Family Connection and Family Support Series for multiple populations in the Fall and Spring;
  • Oversee development and production of print publications and all visual identity related to Family Programs, including collaboration on web and social media presence. Support additional departmental programming initiatives, including Orientation, Quill Camps, Preamble/Welcome2Mason, and other programs as assigned. Serve on university committees and other tasks identified by VP/AVP/D. Provide leadership and project management for the development and implementation of Family Weekend and Family Orientation as signature events at the university, as well as other university-wide events that involve families. Provide leadership and vision for the planning and implementation of Family Weekend annually; and
  • Develop and implement Family Orientation, in coordination with the New Student and Family Programs team. Identify and cultivate new partnerships internally and externally focused on increasing support and engagement for Mason families. Develop relationships with local vendors and campus stakeholders to secure sponsorship for programs, including Family Orientation, Family Weekend, Move-In/Commencement, and additional virtual and in-person initiatives.

• Supervision and management of professional staff and the Student Family Programs team:
  • Supervise one Assistant Director for Family Programs and their leadership of key initiatives. Develop professional staff and para-pro development program/opportunities;
  • Supervise additional undergraduate and graduate staff at the discretion of the Director. Participate in the training and development of the NSFP student leader teams, as appropriate;
  • Attend professional meetings and maintain active memberships in salient professional organizations; and
  • Serve on university committees and other tasks identified by Director and/or UL leadership. Responsible for setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with the university's plans and vision and communicate them to subordinates; organize workflow and ensure that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks; monitor employee productivity and provide constructive feedback and coaching; receive complaints and resolve problems; maintain timekeeping and personnel records; pass on information from upper management to employees and vice versa; prepare and submit performance evaluations; decide on rewards and promotions based on performance; hire and train new employees; ensure adherence to legal and university policies and procedures and undertaking disciplinary actions if the need arises.

• Develop and implement comprehensive assessment plan for the Mason family experience and programs:
  • Research best practices and emerging trends related to family programs and services in higher education and develop new initiatives that would benefit Mason families.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience typically obtained in three to five years in leadership working closely with staff, undergraduate students, and/or graduate students;
• Experience designing, developing, and executing large-scale programming initiatives;
• Demonstrated working knowledge of new student and family programs, student and family transitional issues, student leadership and training development, and mentoring and advising of student leaders;
• Highly developed organizational management and problem-solving skills and must work accurately and efficiently in order to meet a multitude of deadlines and responsibilities;
• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with a variety of constituents and departmental stakeholders;
• Ability to effectively interact with a culturally and ethnically diverse population of students, faculty, and staff;
• Ability to adapt and learn quickly in a fast-paced environment; and
• Ability to manage conflicting and competing situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience designing assessment plans, developing, executing, and analyzing data, and creating meaningful reports for distribution;
• Supervisory experience; various levels of supervision with professional staff, graduate level staff, and students;
• Highly developed organizational management and problem-solving skills;
• Demonstrated leadership abilities;
  Ability to make independent decisions on behalf of and in conjunction with departmental, divisional, and university missions and initiatives;
• Experience creating and managing both print and electronic web publications; and
• Strong commitment to customer service.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Associate Director for Family Programs at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and provide a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

Posting Open Date: November 13, 2023

For Full Consideration, Apply by: December 11, 2023

Open Until Filled?: Yes

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