Guest Experience Specialist

Guest Experience Specialist

The Guest Experience Specialist supports the undergraduate admissions office by overseeing an outstanding campus visit program and coordinating positive first impressions for all guests. This position requires excellent interpersonal communication skills, outstanding attention to detail, project management organization, the ability to train and lead teams, and the desire to collaborate with additional department stakeholders within the university. The core of Cornerstone University is defined and driven by its Christ-centered mission and Biblical confession.

Classification: Full-time, Hourly

Reports To: Senior Executive Director of Enrollment Management

Department: Enrollment Services

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Duties and Responsibilities:

Campus Visit & Event Management

• Oversee and participate in on-campus recruiting events.
• Direct and coordinate the planning and execution of Visit Days and other campus events, including Golden Eagle Days, Accepted Student Day, New Student Orientation, Summer Sneak Peek, Arrival Day, Group Visits, Dual Enroll events, academic summer camps, and other events as needed.
• Oversee Arrival Days for new students twice annually, collaborating with multiple campus departments to facilitate successful events.
• Coordinate details for the annual NACCAP on-campus Christian College Fair each fall.
• Attain established attendance and guest experience goals for campus visits and events.

Strategic Planning

• Provide vision and direction to Enrollment Services staff regarding campus visit goals, expectations, and performance.
• Lead strategic planning efforts to expand and continually improve the campus visit program.
• Manage and develop an outstanding campus visit program that supports enrollment goals and delivers an exceptional guest experience.
• Work toward established attendance and guest experience goals for campus visits and events.
• Represent Cornerstone University in a Christ-like, professional manner to internal and external constituencies, consistently demonstrating enthusiasm for the university and the opportunities available to prospective students.

Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise the Guest Experience Coordinator.
• Recruit, lead, and train admissions event assistants and event volunteers to facilitate campus visits and events.
• Meet with student assistants and volunteers to provide training, feedback, encouragement, and opportunities for growth.
• Conduct formal written evaluations for adult staff and paid student event assistants.
• Adhere to established hospitality and promotional item budgets for ongoing campus visit orders and purchases.

Campus Collaboration & Communication

• Participate as an active member of the Enrollment Services Team.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with divisions and departments across campus to support the ongoing development of the campus visit program.
• Partner with the Guest Experience Coordinator and Admissions Office Coordinator to coordinate campus visits throughout the year.
• Collaborate with the Director of Enrollment Marketing & Communications to develop and implement a communication plan that effectively markets the campus visit program.
• Communicate and coordinate the Admissions Department's event schedule with departments across campus.
• Develop strategic connections with faculty, staff, and current students to support and enhance campus visits and events.

CRM & Event Systems Management

• Create large campus events and their associated event forms in the Admissions CRM.
• Maintain an up-to-date CRM Events Manual documenting procedures for building and maintaining campus events within the database.

Christian Leadership & Community Expectations

• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality when handling student records and other sensitive information.
• All Cornerstone University and WCSG employees regularly interact with students through a variety of projects, activities, and settings. Accordingly, all employees are expected to serve as Christian leaders and mentors by living a Gospel-centered lifestyle and ministering to and discipling students through a biblical worldview.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience in higher education (academic or administrative), admissions, public relations, or marketing required.
• Excellent skills in leadership, organization, interpersonal networking, and communication.
• Developed computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Publisher, and Excel.

Essential Qualifications:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an active Christian commitment.
• A theology that supports the values and mission of Cornerstone University core commitments evidenced by an ability to affirm and sign the university's doctrinal statement, "The Cornerstone Confession."
• Four other foundational pillars, along with the university's mission and confession, form Cornerstone's Core Commitments. The Cornerstone Christian World View, The Cornerstone Academic Vision, The Cornerstone Beautiful Christian Community, The Marriage and Human Sexuality Position Statement.

These core commitments convey who we are, what we believe and how we live and work together in community. Employees are expected to faithfully attend an evangelical and biblical church whose core beliefs and practices are consistent with Cornerstone's confession and core commitments.