Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment Initiatives

The experience expected from applicants, as well as additional skills and qualifications needed for this job are listed below.

Position Title : Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment Initiatives

Department : 2050 Dean of Graduate School

Responsibilities :

The Director of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment Initiatives will lead and enhance the graduate admissions process, supporting both centralized and decentralized application review and recruitment efforts.

This role focuses on increasing graduate enrollment through streamlined and innovative admissions practices and ensuring the accessibility of high-quality graduate education.

Reporting to the Dean of the Graduate School, the Director will collaborate with academic and administrative leaders, manage a dedicated admissions team, and utilize data-driven strategies to optimize recruitment, application and admission processes, and enrollment outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage the Graduate Application for Admission Process :

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the graduate admissions, ensuring high-quality execution that impacts both internal and external relations positively.
• Develop and optimize admissions systems and processes using data and technology to enhance efficiency and customer service.
• Coordinate and enhance the capabilities of the customer relationship management system (CRM) and application systems to streamline communications and application processing.
• Implement and monitor quality control measures across all admissions processes.
• Conduct continuous assessments to improve systems and reduce barriers to application and enrollment, ensuring updates to databases and communication plans are timely and effective.
• Continue serving as an active provider of admissions services and recruitment initiatives.

Maintain a thorough understanding to implement admissions policies :

• Deeply understand and navigate the complexities of multiple graduate program admission requirements, maintaining knowledge of trends and program requirements.
• Develop, interpret, and consistently apply University, System, and Graduate School admissions policies and procedures. Ensure alignment of policies and procedures with holistic admission best practices.
• Serve as a key liaison for graduate admissions, coordinating with graduate program leadership and other University stakeholders to enhance service levels and compliance.

Lead and supervise the graduate recruitment and admissions operations :

• Foster a dynamic environment that invests in team development and promotes innovation.
• Manage effective staff operations, including training, performance management, and professional development.
• Understand budgetary opportunities, aligning financial resources (e.g., fellowships, assistantships, tuition support programs) with strategic enrollment objectives.
• In partnership with varying stakeholders, design and execute targeted recruitment and communication campaigns to attract high-caliber graduate students, both domestically and internationally, that are tailored to the capacity and opportunities of individual, distinct graduate programs.

Provide leadership for strategic planning :

• Drive the planning and execution of recruitment and enrollment goals, leveraging technology to enhance the admissions experience.
• Develop robust data reports to inform strategic decision-making and refine admissions processes and improve yield.
• Utilize analytics and market data to inform recruitment strategies, measure effectiveness of recruitment initiatives and admissions processes, and make data-driven decisions to optimize impact.
• Communicate enrollment trends and data insights to academic leadership and stakeholders.

Build Collaborative Relationships with Campus Partners :

• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with academic deans, graduate program leadership, and other key stakeholders.
• Lead and participate in committees and task forces to address and solve key business and service challenges.
• Ensure consistent and effective communication across all stakeholder groups to facilitate smooth admissions operations.

Qualifications :

Required Qualifications :

• Master’s degree
• OR a Bachelor's degree with 2 years of directly related experience may be substituted for the Master's requirement
• Minimum of 3 years in higher education experience with a proven track record in admissions; preference for experience in graduate education.

Skills and Competencies :

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working collaboratively across departments and with diverse populations.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent strategic planning and organizational abilities.
• Proficient in data analysis and decision-making based on metrics.
• Demonstrated understanding of the graduate education landscape and market trends.

Personal Attributes :

• Commitment to advancing accessible and high-quality graduate education.
• Innovative mindset with the ability to develop creative solutions to meet the needs of diverse graduate programs and multiple delivery options.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in a dynamic and evolving academic environment.
• Passion for supporting potential students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Job Ad# (req4019)

J-18808-Ljbffr