Director of Admissions
Full-time 12 months
JOB SUMMARY:
The Director of Admissions is a strategic leader with responsibility for developing and executing a comprehensive student recruitment strategy to meet the College’s enrollment goals. In a tuition-dependent environment, this position is critical to the institution. The Director provides hands-on leadership to a team of six admission professionals and ensures data-driven, goal-oriented recruitment practices.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership & Team Management
- Supervise, train, and evaluate six admission professionals.
- Set daily, weekly, and seasonal priorities and goals for recruitment outreach and territory management.
- Lead regular staff meetings to ensure alignment on goals, timelines, and messaging.
- Create a collaborative, accountable team culture focused on measurable results.
Recruitment Strategy & Execution
- In partnership with the VP for Enrollment, develop and implement a student recruitment plan aligned with institutional enrollment and revenue goals.
- Establish annual goals for inquiries, applications, admits, and enrollments by counselor and territory.
- Ensure effective use of data and CRM tools (Slate) to track prospective students and funnel performance.
- Coordinate participation in high school visits, college fairs, and community events.
- Promote best practices in lead generation, name purchases, inquiry cultivation, application review, and yield strategies.
- In partnership with the VP for Enrollment and Chief Marketing Officer, lead social media strategies.
Budget-Conscious Operations
- Prioritize cost-effective recruitment strategies that deliver strong ROI.
- Optimize use of travel budgets, print/mail campaigns, and digital marketing efforts in collaboration with the VP for Enrollment and Marketing Office.
- Seek creative, low-cost outreach opportunities to expand the College’s visibility in key markets.
Collaboration & Communication
- Collaborate closely with the Office of Financial Aid to ensure cohesive messaging and strategy regarding affordability and scholarships.
- With the VP for Enrollment, coordinate with Marketing to ensure branding and communication materials align with recruitment goals.
Application Review & Admission Decisions
- Oversee application review procedures and ensure consistent, mission-aligned admissions decisions.
- Train staff in holistic admissions review practices appropriate for a nonselective institution.
- Monitor application and decision timelines to avoid bottlenecks in the process.
Data Analysis & Reporting
- Regularly analyze recruitment funnel metrics and report trends to the VP for Enrollment.
- Use data to inform strategy adjustments throughout the admissions cycle.
- Monitor and report on counselor performance and territory outcomes.
Campus Visits & Events
- Oversee the planning and execution of on-campus and virtual visit experiences.
- Lead the team in executing Open Houses and Admitted Student Days.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in college admissions, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
- Demonstrated success in achieving enrollment goals in a tuition-driven environment.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Experience with SLATE. Able to create queries and reports as well as teach these skills to staff.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Public speaking will be required in this position.
- Willingness and ability to travel, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience working at a small, liberal arts or nonselective college.
- Familiarity with financial aid processes and leveraging aid in the recruitment process.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
- Meeting or exceeding annual enrollment targets.
- Effective utilization of budget and resources.
- Timely and accurate reporting of key metrics.
- Improved recruitment-to-yield conversion rates.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references.
LINK TO APPLY:
