Director OF Admissions

Job Details Job Location: Bridgeport, CT - Bridgeport, CT 06604 The mission of The University of Bridgeport is to promote academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world. Position Description Summary/Purpose: Reporting to the AVP of Enrollment Management, the Assistant Director of Admissions, Campus Events and Visitor Experience leads the planning, execution, assessment, and continuous improvement of undergraduate and graduate admissions events for domestic and international prospective students and their families. This position is responsible for creating high-quality, on-brand prospective-student experiences across in-person, virtual, and hybrid programming. The Assistant Director manages event budgets, vendors, logistics, staffing, registration processes, event technology, and performance reporting. The role works closely with Admissions, Marketing and Communications, Financial Aid, academic departments, student ambassadors, and campus partners to ensure events support recruitment, conversion, yield, and enrollment goals. Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities: Develop and manage a comprehensive annual admissions event calendar for undergraduate and graduate recruitment, conversion, and yield programming. Plan, coordinate, and execute on-campus, off-campus, virtual, and hybrid events for prospective students, applicants, admitted students, families, counselors, community partners, and other external audiences. Oversee event formats that may include open houses, admitted-student days, preview days, information sessions, campus tours, graduate program events, virtual webinars, accepted-student receptions, counselor programs, and special recruitment events. Create detailed event project plans, timelines, run-of-show documents, staffing plans, checklists, floor plans, registration procedures, and post-event follow-up plans. Manage all event logistics, including room reservations, catering, audiovisual needs, signage, transportation, accessibility needs, parking, furniture, security, housekeeping, facilities coordination, and technology support. Develop and manage event budgets in partnership with the Dean of Admissions; monitor expenditures, reconcile invoices, forecast costs, and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising the visitor experience. Source, evaluate, and coordinate vendors for catering, entertainment, printing, photography, giveaways, décor, rentals, transportation, and other event-related services in accordance with university purchasing procedures. Recommend and manage branded swag, printed materials, event signage, and visitor-experience materials in collaboration with Admissions and Marketing and Communications. Work with the communications team to establish event marketing plans, including audience segmentation, invitation schedules, registration communications, reminder campaigns, social media assets, and post-event follow-up. Establish event goals and key performance indicators, including registrations, attendance, show rates, event cost per attendee, satisfaction, application conversion, deposit conversion, and enrollment outcomes. Use Slate and other relevant technology platforms to build, manage, and monitor event registrations, communications, attendance tracking, surveys, check-in processes, and event reporting. Maintain accurate records and dashboards related to event participation, yield outcomes, budget performance, and return on investment. Analyze event data and survey feedback to identify trends, assess effectiveness, and recommend changes to improve future programming. Coordinate training, schedules, and assignments for admissions staff, student ambassadors, faculty, staff, alumni, and campus partners participating in events. Partner with academic departments and graduate program leadership to develop program-specific event experiences that accurately represent academic offerings and advance graduate enrollment objectives. Ensure that all events reflect University values, provide an inclusive and accessible experience, and support the needs of diverse prospective-student populations. Serve as a visible host and representative of the Office of Admissions during events, including occasional evening and weekend responsibilities. Supervise assigned staff, student employees, interns, and/or student ambassadors, as applicable. Perform other related duties as assigned. Conducts all work in a safe manner and all work safety practices are followed. Other Functions: Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates. Continues professional development and training; keeps current with trends. Assists other department staff as needed to promote a team effort. Knowledge, Ability and Skill: Demonstrated commitment to developing and fostering best practices and policies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and build an environment in which all members of the University community are treated with respect and dignity. Strong knowledge of event planning, project management, vendor coordination, and budget administration. Ability to manage multiple complex events and deadlines simultaneously while maintaining high service standards. Demonstrated ability to create engaging prospective-student and family experiences. Experience using CRM, event-registration, survey, and reporting systems; Slate experience strongly preferred. Strong data literacy and ability to use event data to evaluate effectiveness and recommend improvements. Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills. Ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, vendors, and senior leaders. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and respectful service. QualificationsMinimum Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in event planning, admissions, enrollment management, marketing, hospitality, student services, or a related field. Demonstrated experience managing event budgets, vendors, logistics, and event performance metrics. Experience with CRM or event-management software required; Slate experience preferred. Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by the admissions event calendar. Physical and Mental Requirements: Outdoor Weather Conditions Work with fumes or airborne particles Work near moving mechanical parts Risk of electrical shock Vibration Physical Activity: Standing Walking Sitting Talking & Hearing Using hands/fingers to handle/feel Climbing or balancing Bending, pulling, pushing Driving Lifting Requirements: Up to 10 pounds Up to 25 pounds Up to 50 pounds Up to 75 pounds Up to 100 pounds Over 100 pounds Full-Time Employee Benefits: Medical Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Pet Insurance 401k employer match Employee & dependent life insurance Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents PTO program Flexible work schedules / work from home opportunities (This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the University as the needs of the University and requirements of the job change.) The University of Bridgeport provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The University of Bridgeport complies with applicable state and local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. #J-18808-Ljbffr