Executive Director of Enrollment Strategy and Admissions

SUMMARY

Cornerstone University seeks a dynamic, mission-driven leader to serve as Executive Director of Enrollment Strategy and Admissions for the traditional undergraduate (on-campus) enrollment team. This senior leader will provide direction for undergraduate recruitment strategies, enrollment operations, and campus visit experiences while fostering a Christ-centered culture of excellence, collaboration, and student care.

Reporting to the AVP for Enrollment Management, the Executive Director will lead and develop the on-campus undergraduate admissions team, driving enrollment growth through data-informed recruitment strategies, staff development, and cross-campus partnerships. This leader will provide oversight and accountability for recruitment initiatives, enrollment outcomes, campus visit and event strategy, and innovative student engagement efforts while helping advance the university's enrollment goals and mission impact. This leader will also serve as a highly visible ambassador for Cornerstone University, cultivating relationships with high schools, homeschool communities, churches, youth organizations, and other key influencers to strengthen enrollment pipelines and expand the university's reach throughout West Michigan and beyond.

The core of Cornerstone University is defined and driven by its Christ-centered mission and Biblical confession.

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time, Salaried

REPORTS TO: Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management

DEPT: Enrollment

LOCATION: Grand Rapids, MI

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent Cornerstone University in a Christ-like, professional manner to many different internal and external constituencies, consistently exhibit enthusiasm toward the institution and the opportunities available to future students

• Develop and strengthen strategic relationships with key high schools, counselors, administrators, homeschool networks, churches, youth groups, and community organizations to expand awareness of Cornerstone University and increase enrollment opportunities

• Serve as a visible ambassador for Cornerstone University by actively engaging with prospective students, families, educators, pastors, coaches, and community leaders, representing the university at events, meetings, and networking opportunities throughout West Michigan and other priority markets.

• Identify and cultivate new enrollment pipelines and partnership opportunities that support long-term undergraduate enrollment growth, with particular attention to feeder schools, homeschool communities, church networks, and student organizations

• Coordinate and manage portions of the on-campus admissions budget

• Analyze market trends, demographic shifts, and enrollment data to identify growth opportunities and develop and execute innovative, data-informed recruitment strategies that achieve and exceed traditional undergraduate enrollment goals

• Monitor and evaluate enrollment funnel performance, conversion rates, and yield strategies to identify barriers, improve student progression, and strengthen enrollment outcomes

• Champion the effective use of the university's CRM, enrollment technologies, and recruitment analytics to strengthen enrollment outcomes and operational efficiency

• Support the AVP for Enrollment Management by providing admissions leadership and perspective to enhance recruitment messaging, digital engagement, and prospective student communication strategies

• Recruit, hire, onboard, coach, and develop the campus visit team while providing leadership and professional development to the Assistant Director of Admissions, who supervises admissions counselors, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and student care

• Build and strengthen partnerships with academic departments and key campus stakeholders, including athletics, student development, financial aid, and marketing, to support enrollment success

• All Cornerstone University employees will regularly interact with students in a variety of projects, activities, and settings. As such all employees are expected to serve as Christian leaders and mentors by effectively living a gospel-centered lifestyle, ministering and discipling through a biblical worldview.?

• Other duties may be assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in admissions, enrollment management, higher education, or a related field

• Demonstrated ability to build meaningful relationships with prospective students, families, educators, pastors, community leaders, and other key influencers to advance enrollment goals and strengthen enrollment pipelines

• Strong leadership, administrative, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives effectively

• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills with the ability to utilize enrollment data to drive decision-making

• Excellent public speaking, interpersonal, and written/verbal communication skills

• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners

• Experience recruiting, supervising, coaching, and developing high-performing teams

• Experience leveraging CRM systems and enrollment technologies preferred

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment

• Passion for student development and Christian higher education

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.