Director of Admissions

Job Description

Job Description

Harris-Stowe State University is a historically Black institution (HBCU) located in the heart of vibrant mid-town St. Louis, Missouri. Harris-Stowe’s beautiful campus is minutes from the renown Gateway Arch, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art and History Museums, Forest Park and other cultural and educational institutions. Harris-Stowe’s diverse faculty and staff provide a wide range of academic programs to one of the most culturally diverse student bodies in the St. Louis region.

Job Summary

The Director of Admissions supports the vision, strategy, leadership, and management oversight for Harris-Stowe State University’s recruitment and enrollment of new undergraduate students, including freshmen, transfers, and non-traditional audiences. The Director provides strategic leadership in support of the Vice President of Enrollment Management by guiding market research, enrollment planning, and the development and execution of comprehensive recruitment, marketing, and outreach strategies. This role is accountable for achieving annual undergraduate enrollment goals through oversight of recruitment and yield initiatives, representation of the University to prospective students and families, and leadership of the undergraduate admissions team. The Director manages the daily operations of the Admissions Office, supervises staff and student interns, evaluates enrollment outcomes, and ensures alignment of enrollment strategies with the University’s institutional priorities and long-term growth objectives.

Essential Functions

• Develop, implement, manage, and assess recruitment plans and efforts to increase undergraduate student enrollment and achieve the University's headcount and net revenue goals.
• Collaborate closely with deans, faculty, marketing, financial aid and other units to develop comprehensive enrollment plans and implement and assess recruitment strategies to meet/exceed the objectives of the plan.
• Build comprehensive program-specific recruitment plans that complement and support University marketing plans.
• Work collaboratively with enrollment , financial aid, CFO leveraging to develop and implement recruitment and aid strategies.
• Develop relationships with community leaders, educators, and community organizations to expand and enhance awareness of HSSU.
• Lead team operations and contribute to the development of processes, policies, and procedures related to recruitment and enrollment, such as data management, application processing, use of recruitment databases (Admission Pro) etc. Implements operational objectives in-line with organization goals and objectives.
• Select, hire, and manage admission staff and develop benchmarks and productivity indicators to assess performance.
• Routinely analyze and report ROI for strategies/initiatives and recruitment funnel key performance indicators; measure and monitor conversion rates, application rates, yield, etc.
• Manage web content related to recruitment and enrollment.
• Serve as a Designated School Official (PDSO) for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and manage compliance for the admission and enrollment of undergraduate international students.
• Perform other projects as assigned by the Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
• Supervises a staff of five Admissions professionals, and assigns counselor projects, assignments, and areas of responsibility. Projects include database management, campus visit experiences, educator relations, and special projects.
• Monitors recruitment budget for undergraduate admissions.
• Cultivates an environment of teamwork, commitment, and ownership among staff.
• Serves as liaison for secondary schools, organizations, and agencies, developing and maintaining long-term relationships.
• Assist in the transfer credit evaluation process.
• Participates in on and off-campus recruitment activities and events throughout the year, including some weekends and evenings.
• Assesses, enhances, and provides staff training, development, and mentorship.
• Assists with all aspects of the Admissions operations.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Five years of progressive professional admissions experience leading undergraduate recruitment efforts.
• A track record of growing undergraduate headcount and revenue in a competitive environment is essential.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, Master’s degree preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• An entrepreneurial spirit is necessary, and management experience required.
• Superior writing skills and experience creating effective marketing communications are essential.
• Strong analytic and reporting ability, creativity and organizational skills required.
• Ability to conduct thorough and meaningful research and data analysis, informing actionable goals.
• A positive attitude, a people-centric approach to work, and a good sense of humor.
• Understanding of technology, and how it informs and supports best business practices.
• Computer skills including proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, customer relationship management systems, student information systems, and the ability to learn new systems quickly and thoroughly.
• Capacity to work independently, to assess needs, and to provide creative solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking.
• Skilled at customized interactions, deeply connecting with individuals, and inspiring people to action.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and opinions.
• Flexibility and quick-responsiveness to new situations and changes.
• Interest in, and commitment to the goals of higher education.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, travel, with current driver’s license, and passport.
• Experience contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within higher education context
• Previous management experience is preferred

Supervisory Responsibility

• Yes

Physical Requirements

• Within the normal bounds of an office environment.

Working Conditions and Environment

• Work is routinely performed in a professional office environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines and other similar machines.

"Please No Phone Calls"

Due to the large number of applications submitted and the high volume of applicant inquiries we receive regarding the status of applications, we are unable to accept phone calls or walk-in inquiries regarding applicant status. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

EOE Statement

Harris-Stowe State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.