Director of Admissions

ESSENTIAL POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of Admissions & Enrollment Strategy provides strategic leadership and oversight of the University's recruitment and admissions functions, serving as the primary architect of enrollment pipeline development from prospect through matriculation. This role is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive, data-informed admissions strategy aligned with institutional goals and net tuition revenue targets.

Reporting to the Chief Enrollment Management Officer and working in close partnership with the Director of Financial Aid, this position leads efforts to optimize recruitment, application conversion, and yield through effective use of technology, analytics, and cross-functional collaboration. The Director ensures a seamless and engaging experience for prospective and admitted students while driving continuous improvement in enrollment outcomes.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

This position works closely with Admissions staff, Registrar, Student Accounts, Marketing, Finance, Faculty, Athletics, and external vendors/partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of admissions and recruitment functions, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and enrollment goals.
• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive admissions strategy, including pipeline development, conversion optimization, and data-informed recruitment initiatives.
• Establish performance expectations and key performance indicators (KPIs) for recruitment and admissions operations, monitoring outcomes and driving continuous improvement.
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement in admissions processes, systems, and outreach strategies to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.

Budgetary and Fiduciary Responsibility

• In coordination with the Chief Enrollment and Financial Aid Director, develop, manage, and monitor the admissions and recruitment budget, ensuring resources are aligned with strategic priorities and enrollment outcomes.
• Evaluate return on investment (ROI) for recruitment initiatives, events, and vendor partnerships to inform resource allocation decisions.

Communication and Collaboration

• Partner with the Chief Enrollment and Financial Aid Director to align recruitment strategies with financial aid leveraging, packaging approaches, and yield optimization efforts.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (faculty, academic leadership, athletics, student affairs, alumni, and others) to support coordinated, multi-unit recruitment initiatives.
• Partner with Marketing to develop and execute integrated, multi-channel recruitment campaigns aligned with enrollment strategy and target audiences.
• Communicate enrollment strategies, progress, and outcomes to institutional leadership and key stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment.

Personnel Management

• Provide leadership and supervision of admissions and recruitment staff, including hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and professional development.
• Design and structure team roles and responsibilities to align with enrollment goals and optimize team performance.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and results-oriented team culture.

Student Experience

• Ensure a seamless, engaging, and student-centered experience from prospect through enrollment, including application processing, communication, and onboarding.
• Design and oversee high-impact recruitment events and outreach initiatives that drive prospect engagement, application growth, and conversion.
• Monitor and improve responsiveness and service delivery throughout the admissions process (e.g., speed to lead, communication effectiveness).

Policy, Accreditation, Compliance, and Quality Assurance

• Oversee admissions systems and processes to ensure data integrity, accuracy, and compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations.
• Ensure admissions practices align with institutional standards, accreditation expectations, and ethical recruitment practices.
• Establish and maintain consistent processes and documentation to support quality assurance and operational effectiveness.

Community Engagement

• Represent the University in external recruitment and outreach efforts, including partnerships with schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners and vendors supporting recruitment efforts.
• Identify opportunities to expand outreach and strengthen the University's presence in key markets.

Professional Development

• Stay current with trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in enrollment management and higher education.
• Participate in professional development opportunities and relevant associations to enhance knowledge and leadership effectiveness.
• Encourage and support ongoing development of admissions staff to build capacity and expertise.

ESSENTIAL POSITION COMPETENCIES AND REQUIREMENTS

Education

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

Experience

• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in admissions, recruitment, or enrollment management.

• Three (3) or more years of supervisory or leadership experience, including staff development and performance management.
• Experience with admissions CRM systems and enrollment technologies, including workflow optimization, data management, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience using data, analytics, and dashboards to inform strategy and drive measurable enrollment outcomes.
• Experience developing and executing recruitment or enrollment strategies aligned with institutional goals.