Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid

Department

Crown Administrative Office

About the Department

The Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice (Crown Family School) builds upon a legacy of more than a century of scholarship, education and leadership in social work and social welfare, blending a distinctive interdisciplinary tradition with applied problem-solving to foster innovative solutions to some of society’s most pressing social problems.

For more information about the Crown School, please visit our website at : .

Job Summary

The Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid leads all aspects of the admissions process from recruitment and application review to enrollment.

The Assistant Dean plays a critical role in attracting top-tier students who align with the school's mission and values.

The Assistant Dean will lead efforts to expand awareness of degree programs and lead generation that improves enrollment yield, diversity, selectivity, and student quality.

The Assistant Dean will develop and implement a comprehensive enrollment management plan. This position will identify growth targets and leverage best practices and recruitment analytics to improve conversion and yield.

The Assistant Dean collaborates with various leaders to ensure that admissions policies and procedures align with School goals and standards.

Additionally, the Assistant Dean works closely with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to promote the graduate programs and attract a diverse pool of highly qualified applicants.

A successful candidate will help the School expand diversity, exceed our application targets, and net tuition goals.

The Assistant Dean will perform predictive analysis on student growth, tuition revenue, and financial aid expenses, to deliver a directionally accurate net tuition estimate to leadership.

The Assistant Dean will lead team efforts to identify new audiences for degree offerings likely to achieve targeted financial outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic recruitment plans to attract talented and diverse students.
• Manage the admissions process from application review to enrollment, ensuring efficiency and adherence to established timelines.
• Collaborate with faculty and program directors to establish admissions criteria and standards for each graduate program.
• Create and grow strategic partnerships with key partners.
• Oversee the evaluation of graduate applications, including review of academic credentials, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
• Work closely with the marketing and communications team to develop promotional materials and strategies to enhance the visibility of graduate programs.
• Analyze data related to admissions trends, applicant demographics, and enrollment patterns to inform decision-making and identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as Graduate Financial Aid and the Dean of Students office, to ensure a seamless transition for admitted students.
• Stay abreast of federal and state regulations governing admissions practices.
• Develop operational plans to develop and execute admissions strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Represent the admissions office at meetings with university leadership and external stakeholdersManages the planning and implementation of public presentations, special events, and other recruitment activities.
• Maintains relationships with all organizations and individuals involved in the admissions process. Develops and monitors the admissions budget.
• Manages managers and professional staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education :

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience :

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications :

Preferred Qualifications

Education :

Master’s degree in higher education administration, counseling, or a related field.

Experience :

• Strong background in university admissions with at least 7 years of relevant experience.
• Graduate admissions, preferably in a leadership or supervisory role, strongly preferred.

Technical Skills or Knowledge :

• Strong understanding of admissions processes and best practices in graduate education.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines related to admissions in higher education.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting to inform decision-making.

Preferred Competencies

• Proven track record of success in developing and implementing recruitment strategies.
• Deep understanding of higher education and current admissions trends.
• Commitment to ethical and fair admissions practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic recruitment initiatives.
• Work collaboratively in a team environment and foster positive relationships with faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in graduate admissions and enrollment.
• Proactively anticipate problems and devise solutions.

Working Conditions

• Regular attendance.
• Problem-solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills.
• Some periods of high stress; constant interruptions with work environment.
• Assimilate and incorporate newly acquired information on time.
• Relatively sedentary position.
• Extended time working at a computer.
• Frequent keyboarding and reading on-screen and printed text.
• Periodic travel to sites around Chicago.

Application Documents

• Resume / CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

People Manager

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

Benefits Eligible

Drug Test Required

Health Screen Required

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity / Disabled / Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.

For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.

Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information.

The Report can be accessed online at : . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E.

61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.