William Paterson University invites application for the full-time position of Director of Parent and Family Relations.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Student Development, the Director of Parent and Family Relations serves as a critical connecting point for parents and families of our diverse undergraduate student body and will develop and implement strategies to increase and enhance parent and family engagement and communication, implement a multi-platform communication plan, maintain website and social media, create targeted programs and services and manage successful one-on-one relationships.

For more information visit https://www.wpunj.edu/enrolled/student-development/

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Collaborates with Enrollment Management and Marketing and Public Relations, creates and implements communication plans and timelines. Fosters timely and proactive communications with parents through various communication methods.
• Serves as the initial point of contact for parent and family members when they have questions or need assistance. Interprets and explains University policies in response to parent questions and tracks questions and concerns in order to communicate proactively on topics of interest and need.
• Partners with Campus Activities, Service and Leadership to develop, market, implement, and assess parent and family engagement and orientation programs.
• Assists with planning, as appropriate, and fully participates in events hosted by campus partners designed to engage parents and families. Events include but are not limited to New Student Orientation, Parent and Family Day, Welcome Day, Admissions recruitment and yield events, Commencement, specified athletic events and tailgates, and other events as assigned.
• Hires, trains and supervises student assistants.
• Conducts typical and routine functions appropriate for the office and position including but not limited to office and project management, budget development and oversight, reporting and assessment activities, hiring, training and evaluating personnel.
• Perform other duties and assists with projects as assigned.
• Remote hybrid work available depending upon institutional needs.                                                                                                         

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited university.
• Five (5) years relevant experience in an educational setting,
• Demonstrated experience working with multiple levels of leadership and various stakeholder groups.
• Experience in parent/family program development, communication, and assessment.
• Experience and competency with remote learning and engagement technology.
• Must be available for some evening and/or weekend work.

Additional, preferred qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Access, and Excel) and ability to learn new technologies.
• Demonstrated marketing and social media experience and the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Knowledge of customer relationship management software (i.e. Salesforce), university admission platforms (i.e. Slate), university administrative platforms (i.e. Banner, Navigate), and website design programs.
• Demonstrated cultural competency, understanding of unconscious bias and commitment to inclusive and equitable systems, policies and practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of student development theory, the needs of families (and students) in transition, FERPA and the core elements of successful programming, budget planning, fundraising strategies and family advising techniques.
• Record of successful program development and management, experience hiring, training, and supervising college students.
• Experience developing and conducting assessment and utilizing results to inform decisions.
• Personal attributes and traits
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service.
• Capable of prioritizing tasks in order to meet agreed upon deadlines.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, along with the ability to tailor communication to specific audiences.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality/discretion.

Invitation to apply

Interested candidates will be prompted to: Complete an application and submit a cover letter

Submission of all documents listed is required for consideration.

General questions related to this application process, please contact talent@wpunj.edu

About William Paterson University

William Paterson University is the third most diverse public university in New Jersey. As a longstanding member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), we have been designated by the US Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. William Paterson University is also proud to be designated as a NASA MSI (Minority Serving Institution). The University offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate academic programs that range from liberal arts and sciences to pre-professional and professional programs; it enrolls over 9,000 students from across the country and from over 40 nations. The University is situated on a beautiful, 380-acre suburban campus in Wayne, New Jersey, just twenty miles west of New York City.