Assistant Director of Orientation and First Year Experience

Job Description:

Berklee is seeking an energetic, student-centric, and innovative Assistant Director of Orientation and First Year Experience (OFYE). This full-time, 12-month, live-in position is designed for an administrative leader with a passion for creative students and a drive to craft a vibrant, inclusive campus environment. You will translate long-term vision into a dynamic, unforgettable onboarding journey that directly shapes student satisfaction, community acculturation, and retention. At Berklee, your work directly supports the next generation of creative leaders.

The Role & Impact

Reporting to the Director of OFYE, you will have primary responsibility for operationalizing orientation strategies and managing programs that support new and transfer undergraduate students.

Key Responsibilities:

• Orientation Program Management: Plan, implement, and assess all undergraduate orientation programs, collaborating with campus partners to emphasize academic success and student development.
• First-Year Residential Curriculum: Partner closely with Housing and Residence Education to build a comprehensive residential curriculum tailored for first-year student growth.
• Pre-Orientation & Digital Resources: Design, implement, and update digital and print materials, including online modules, websites, mobile applications, and handbooks for incoming students and families.
• Student Staff Supervision: In partnership with the Associate Director, recruit, train, evaluate, and manage the student orientation staff.
• Student Leadership & Advising: Advise the "Caf Shows" student organization, supporting their programming, event planning, and leadership development.
• Family Engagement: Plan resources and major milestones like Family Weekend, while providing timely support to family members via phone, email, and social media networks.
• Crisis Response: Serve on-call as a member of the Primary Response Team, partnering with Public Safety and the Counseling Center to handle student incidents and develop support plans.

What You'll Bring

• Education: Master’s degree required in Higher Education Administration, Education, or a related field.
• Experience: 1–3 years of experience in Higher Education or a related field; extensive experience in a university setting is preferred.
• Core Competencies: Proven experience or strong capability in project management, budget management, staff supervision, and assessment.
• Skills & Attributes: A positive attitude, exceptional oral/written communication, and the fiscal planning skills necessary to work effectively within financial constraints.
• Interpersonal Maturity: The ability to establish trusting relationships with a highly diverse population of students, faculty, and the public.

Live-In Perks & Contract Information

• Housing: A provided, unfurnished on-campus living space (spouses/partners welcome).
• Meals: A full meal plan is provided for yourself and your live-in spouse/partner.
• Pets: Negotiable depending on breed and size.
• Supervisory Scope: Direct supervision and mentorship of student employees.

Why Berklee?

Berklee is the world’s leading institution for music, dance, and theater. We offer:

• Mission-Driven Culture: Work in a supportive environment that celebrates multiple perspectives, creative expression, and entrepreneurial spirits.
• Cultural Access: Enjoy nightly access to world-class music, theater, and dance performances right on campus.
• Top-Tier Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental coverage, an institutional 403(b) plan with matching contributions, and tuition benefits for you and your family.
• Time Off: Generous PTO plus a paid winter break to recharge.

Join us in designing the ultimate welcome for the world's most inspired artists!

Hiring Range: $57,000 to $62,000; salary dependent on experience and education.

Please visit the Total Rewards page to learn more about our benefits.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee: 

We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.  Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at [email protected] or call 617-747-2375.

*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*