Director of Graduate Admissions

DESCRIPTION:

The Director of Graduate Admissions serves as a strategic architect for the College’s enrollment growth. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Director provides comprehensive leadership over the end-to-end admissions lifecycle from lead generation to matriculation. This role is pivotal in shaping the diverse student body of the future, leading a high-performing team, and cultivating the institutional partnerships necessary to achieve ambitious strategic enrollment priorities.

OUTCOME:

The Director of Graduate Admissions is expected to serve as a strategic architect who drives measurable enrollment growth and shapes a diverse student body across all graduate programs. Success in this role will be defined by the development and execution of data-informed recruitment plans, the expansion of partner networks, the seamless management of the admissions pipeline from lead generation to matriculation and meeting or exceeded enrollment goals. 

• Strategic Enrollment Leadership (25%)

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive recruitment and enrollment strategies for graduate student populations in alignment with institutional goals.
  • Co-Coordinate the Strategic Enrollment Management Recruitment sub-group with the Director of Admissions.
  • Analyze enrollment data and market trends to inform decision-making and report regularly on admissions performance, pipeline activity, and forecasting to senior leadership.
  • Partner with academic deans, graduate program directors, and faculty to maintain current and competitive admissions criteria, program information, and enrollment targets.
  • Lead the development and execution of the College's Strategic Enrollment Management plan as it relates to graduate admissions.
  • Partner with the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management to set strategic enrollment targets and tuition pricing models for recommendation to the Vice President for Enrollment Management.

• Recruitment & Outreach (30%)

  • Oversee recruitment travel, representing the College at college fairs, graduate programs, and partner institutions.
  • Design and execute targeted recruitment campaigns, virtual events, campus visit programs, and yield initiatives across multiple channels including email, phone, social media, and Slate CRM platforms.
  • Develop and maintain a robust communication plan for graduate students in coordination with Enrollment Marketing.
  • Manage existing tuition discount partnerships and develop new ones with businesses, agencies, and nonprofits. Connect regularly with current partners, arrange information sessions at their workplaces and online, and collaborate with graduate program directors to attract new partners.
  • Create and maintain partnership MOUs that offer tuition discounts in exchange for opportunities to market graduate programs to partner employees. Recommend discount terms to the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management for approval.

• Admissions Operations & Compliance (25%)

  • Oversee the full admissions processing cycle including application review, holistic file evaluation, decision-making, and timely notification for graduate applicants.
  • Manage the CRM system (e.g., Slate) to track prospective student engagement, maintain data integrity, generate reports, and facilitate communication throughout the recruitment funnel.
  • Supervise and lead the operational staff overseeing graduate processing for the College.

• Staff Leadership & Development (5%)

  • Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for team members to build capacity and advance institutional goals related to graduate admissions.
  • Collaborate with enrollment services partners including Financial Aid, the Registrar, Student Life and Success, and academic program to ensure a seamless experience for admitted students.

• Marketing & Communications (15%)

  • Work with Enrollment Marketing to ensure accuracy, relevance, and effectiveness of all graduate admissions communications, web content, and promotional materials.
  • Utilize social media platforms to engage prospective students and manage digital presence for graduate audiences.
  • Articulate information about the College's programs, admission criteria, tuition, and financial aid clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences.

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in higher education, admissions, enrollment management, sales or marketing.
• Valid U.S. driver's license.
• Experience with graduate program enrollment management, preferred

• Proficiency with CRM systems.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute data-informed strategies.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel.