Admissions Director

Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions

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IRD for this job is 10/26/2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions (UA) plays a vital role in the university’s functions by reaching out to students and families to encourage applications, evaluating applications, and hosting events for prospective and admitted students. Every fall and spring, UA employees visit high schools and community colleges throughout California, the U.S., and the world, promoting the university and fostering relationships of trust with students, families, and school counselors. Our outreach work results in about 90,000 applications for each year’s entering fall class, and UA staff personally read and evaluate each application. UA also manages our year-round Campus Tours program, which sees thousands of visitors per year.

Undergraduate Admissions is part of Enrollment Management, which includes Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Office of the Registrar, and the Degree Progress Unit. Undergraduate Admissions and Enrollment Management work closely with Academic Senate committees to ensure that our outreach and recruitment activities align with the university’s enrollment goals.

Part of the prestigious 10-campus University of California system, UC Santa Cruz is a vibrant, multifaceted campus with a total enrollment of over 20,000 students and 70+ undergraduate majors. Known for its impactful research and its dedication to teaching and public service, UCSC leads at the intersection of innovation, social justice, and sustainability. Our campus is also a catalyst for social mobility, with approximately one-third of our undergraduates becoming the first in their family to graduate from a four-year university. At the core of the undergraduate experience are UC Santa Cruz’s 10 distinctive residential colleges, which support belonging, academic exploration, and learning beyond the classroom.

We are excited that you’re interested in joining our team of dedicated, student-centered professionals in Undergraduate Admissions, and we encourage you to find out more about us at admissions.ucsc.edu.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Undergraduate Admissions is a key campus enrollment management leader providing strategic planning and direction, resource management, systems effectiveness and integration, staff development, and continuity planning for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Amidst a constantly changing and complex environment, the Director leads efforts to identify, recruit, select, and enroll new first year and transfer populations, locally and globally, who will enhance our community of scholars and ultimately become our future alumni.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management, the Director provides vision, collaboration, and coordination of undergraduate admissions programs and processes serving diverse and academically prepared students and their families and supporters. The position operates with significant autonomy and exercises independent judgment in interpreting and implementing policy, ensuring regulatory compliance, mitigating institutional risk, and maintaining audit readiness. The role is responsible for developing and strengthening systems, controls, and operational practices that safeguard institutional resources while supporting the university's strategic enrollment objectives.

The Director ensures the development and effective implementation of a multichannel marketing and communication strategy intended to assist students and their influencers (including family, counselors, and teachers) to determine whether UC Santa Cruz is a fit to their educational and career goals, all within highly competitive markets.

The Director is continuously assessing and reviewing the effectiveness of strategies and technical systems, and collaborates with faculty and staff across our complex and decentralized campus to support recruitment and yield, and ensure timely and accurate review of applications and the granting of college credit. The Director will be responsible for reconciling both campus and system-wide priorities related to admissions and enrollment in cases where they might not be directly in concert with each other, as well as ensuring admissions policies and practices remain within the guidelines and expectations of professional and other governing bodies as well.

The Director will represent the campus locally, nationally and internationally on matters pertaining to admissions and enrollment management.

APPOINT