What are the responsibilities and job description for the Undergraduate Academic Onboarding Program Director - 529726 position at Inside Higher Ed?
Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $74,200 - Midpoint: $100,200 (Salaried E12)
Department/Organization: 200022 - Undergraduate Education
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Job Summary: The Undergraduate Academic Onboarding Program Director provides strategic leadership and institutional oversight for the University’s comprehensive undergraduate academic onboarding initiative (Legends) and associated efforts, serving approximately 9,000 first-year and transfer students annually across all colleges. Develops and implements multi-year strategic plans to ensure sustainability, scalability, and continuous improvement. Advises senior leadership on structural, policy, and resource decisions affecting first-year academic experience.
Additional Department Summary: Leads the design, governance, implementation, and long-term sustainability of the University’s academic transition infrastructure. Ensures instructional quality, institutional alignment, assessment integrity, and scalable operational systems supporting student success and retention. Serves as a senior advisor to Academic Affairs leadership on first-year academic strategy, policy alignment, and institutional initiatives impacting undergraduate student retention and associated outcomes.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and six (6) years of higher education experience; OR master's degree and four (4) years of higher education experience.
Skills and Knowledge: Strong leadership skills. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Budget management and resource allocation skills. Commitment to student success. Knowledge of current trends and best practices in FYE programming and student success. Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students. Ability to motivate and inspire others. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
Preferred Qualifications: Ph.D. or terminal degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or related field and five (5) years of higher education experience with a focus on program development, implementation, and assessment.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.
Department/Organization: 200022 - Undergraduate Education
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Job Summary: The Undergraduate Academic Onboarding Program Director provides strategic leadership and institutional oversight for the University’s comprehensive undergraduate academic onboarding initiative (Legends) and associated efforts, serving approximately 9,000 first-year and transfer students annually across all colleges. Develops and implements multi-year strategic plans to ensure sustainability, scalability, and continuous improvement. Advises senior leadership on structural, policy, and resource decisions affecting first-year academic experience.
Additional Department Summary: Leads the design, governance, implementation, and long-term sustainability of the University’s academic transition infrastructure. Ensures instructional quality, institutional alignment, assessment integrity, and scalable operational systems supporting student success and retention. Serves as a senior advisor to Academic Affairs leadership on first-year academic strategy, policy alignment, and institutional initiatives impacting undergraduate student retention and associated outcomes.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and six (6) years of higher education experience; OR master's degree and four (4) years of higher education experience.
Skills and Knowledge: Strong leadership skills. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Budget management and resource allocation skills. Commitment to student success. Knowledge of current trends and best practices in FYE programming and student success. Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students. Ability to motivate and inspire others. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
Preferred Qualifications: Ph.D. or terminal degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or related field and five (5) years of higher education experience with a focus on program development, implementation, and assessment.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.
Salary : $74,200 - $100,200