Senior Associate Director of First-Year Admissions (Hybrid)

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.

The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers.

In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Director of First-Year Admissions, the Senior Associate Director of First-Year Admissions provides leadership over the first-year, undergraduate admission evaluation and selection process.

This position works collaboratively with colleagues across the division of Enrollment Management to recruit, review, select, and yield an undergraduate first-year class.

Essential Functions

• Leads collaborative efforts to develop, implement, and maintain all aspects of the undergraduate first-year application process, review, and selection strategy.
• Collaborates with the Vice Provost, Director and other leadership team colleagues on data-informed strategies for continued and increased success of the undergraduate admission effort and other admissions-related initiatives for meeting overall enrollment goals.
• Interviews, selects, hires, and supervises a team of 50+ staff including admissions / recruitment staff, seasonal staff (readers), and application processing / review staff.

Assigns tasks, monitors progress, conducts performance evaluations and works with Business Manager to administer necessary HR policies and procedures.

Designs, implements and manages the operational processes for reviewing first-year applicants, including reading assignments through Slate Technolutions CRM.

Utilizes CRM data to track and analyze application review progress and release admissions decisions.

• Oversees development of Undergraduate Admissions processing solutions, including first-year application reading, decision notification and matriculation processing processes.
• Provides admissions decision support services to the Director and Vice Provost. Provides pertinent information in effective formats, proposes selection alternatives, and validates and implements decisions.
• Administers first-year admissions quality assurance efforts. Maintains the quality and security of admissions data. Ensures data is complete and accurate.
• Analyzes application data and other complex functional processes to help optimize admissions decisions and perform quality control checks prior to admissions decision release.

Specifies and documents systems requirements and prepares analysis of alternative solutions.

• Leads and directs the Undergraduate Admissions Services area, which supports the recruitment, application material management, and business processes for First-Year, Transfer, and International Admissions.
• Provides leadership, direction and training to team members, including the development of user training materials.
• Manages the implementation of a recruitment strategy for a specific territory, including building relationships with and visiting high schools, representing the university at college fairs, community events and giving formal presentations.

Other Functions

• In the absence of the Director, oversees the Office of First Year Admissions, which includes leading all-staff meetings, consulting with the Vice Provost on time-sensitive decisions / matters, coordinating projects with Associate Directors and other admissions leadership, representing First-Year Admissions on division and campus-wide committees / initiatives.
• Reviews and evaluates first-year applications. Determines eligibility by evaluating the academic and non-academic credentials based upon established criteria.
• Leads and participates on internal special and / or standing teams and / or committees.
• Serves as liaison with designated university or external program / department / college / organization.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of trends in the field of admissions, developments at the University and in higher education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in undergraduate student recruitment including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience with staff (or four (4) years of supervisory experience with student / para-professional staff).
• Experience mentoring people who are new to the admissions field.
• Sensitivity to multicultural and socioeconomic issues.
• Ability to speak and write clearly and persuasively.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills and the ability to manage multiple projects while exhibiting professionalism and a commitment to teamwork.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the undergraduate experience at a major research university.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the academic year, and the flexibility to work on weekends and evenings as needed.
• Confident in the use of data and technology including social media.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master's Degree in Higher Education or related field.
• Proficiency in Slate CRM.
• Bilingual ability.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday-Friday, 8 : 30 am - 5 : 00 pm
• Required to work some evenings and weekends.
• Willingness and ability to travel as much as 10-12 weeks throughout the year.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week.

As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Level 29.

PSU Hiring Ranges.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.

To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.

It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.