Associate Director of Admissions

Description

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Admissions leads MICC’s recruitment, admissions, and enrollment strategy to ensure consistent, mission-aligned enrollment across all programs. This role is responsible for recruiting and enrolling an average of 100–150 neurodivergent emerging adults annually across five programs, with a strategic focus on achieving 10% year-over-year enrollment growth over the next five years.

The Associate Director of Admissions owns enrollment targets and conversion outcomes across all programs, blending relationship-centered outreach with disciplined pipeline management. This role collaborates closely with Programs, Marketing, Finance, and Leadership to ensure admissions processes are inclusive, accessible, efficient, and scalable—while meeting clear enrollment accountability expectations.

Schedule

Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Four days per week working in office required, one day per week working remotely.

Duties & Responsibilities

Recruitment & Outreach Strategy

• Own and execute an annual recruitment strategy that achieves enrollment targets across five programs, with scalability to support 10% annual growth
• Build and maintain strong referral pipelines with schools, transition programs, therapists, case managers, families, community organizations, and funders
• Serve as a compelling ambassador for MICC at outreach events, information sessions, school fairs, and community presentations
• Partner with Marketing to shape messaging, materials, and campaigns that authentically reflect MICC’s mission and resonate with neurodivergent individuals and their families

Admissions & Enrollment Management

• Actively guide prospective participants and families from inquiry through enrollment decision, providing clear, empathetic, and timely communication throughout the process
• Oversee the full admissions lifecycle—including inquiry management, application review, interviews, assessments, acceptance decisions, waitlists, and enrollment timelines
• Coordinate cohort planning with Program leadership to align enrollment with staffing, space, and support capacity
• Demonstrate comfort with measurable goals, deadlines, and enrollment accountability, including conversion rates, yield, and enrollment timelines

Growth & Strategic Planning

• Translate organizational enrollment goals into annual, quarterly, and program-specific targets
• Drive conversion improvement at each stage of the admissions funnel, using data to identify trends, barriers, and opportunities
• Forecast enrollment demand and proactively identify risks or capacity constraints
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning related to program expansion, enrollment growth, and financial sustainability

Data, Systems & Reporting

• Own admissions data tracking, reporting, and analysis across all programs
• Monitor and report on key enrollment metrics, including inquiry volume, conversion rates, yield, and enrollment against targets
• Maintain and improve admissions systems, tools, and workflows to support scale, efficiency, and accountability
• Prepare regular enrollment updates for leadership, clearly communicating progress toward goals and areas requiring action

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Supervise and support admissions staff or contractors
• Establish clear processes, documentation, and training to support consistent admissions practices
• Serve as a key connector between Admissions, Programs, Marketing, Finance, and Leadership to ensure shared ownership of enrollment outcomes
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in education, social services, nonprofit management, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in admissions, enrollment management, recruitment, or related roles with measurable enrollment outcomes
• Demonstrated experience meeting or growing enrollment targets across multiple programs
• Strong understanding of neurodiversity-affirming and inclusive admissions practices
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Comfort using CRM systems, spreadsheets, and enrollment data to manage pipelines and performance
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• 2+ years of experience mentoring and/or supporting individuals with ASD or other learning disabilities is preferred
• A valid Minnesota driver's license in good standing is required

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

Benefits

MICC offers a competitive salary and an incredible benefits package, including, but not limited to:

• Medical and Dental Insurance*
• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Basic Life Insurance & Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance**
• 403(b) Retirement Plans***
• Voluntary plans including Vision, additional Life & AD&D Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, and Hospital Insurance

*MICC pays a significant percentage of the cost**MICC pays the premiums for both STD and LTD***100% immediate vesting with 4% Safe Harbor Match (if the employee contributes 5%)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

MICC offers a generous amount of Paid Time Off (PTO):

• 176 hours / 22 days (prorated upon start date) of paid vacation time
• 80 hours / 10 days (accrued at 3.33 hours per pay period) of paid sick time
• 80 hours / 10 days (holiday schedule available upon request) of paid holidays
• 8 hours / 1 day for floating holiday

How to Apply

If you're ready to embark on a rewarding career, please submit your application. We appreciate all applications, but only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Minnesota Independence College and Community (MICC) is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

This external job description is not designed to cover or comprehensively list the required activities, duties, or responsibilities. Additionally, duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time as determined by the needs of MICC.

*MICC is an equal opportunity employer, a drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable. All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

By completing this application, you are seeking to join a team of hardworking professionals dedicated to consistently delivering outstanding service to our customers and contributing to the financial success of the organization, its participants, clients, and its employees. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring accommodations to complete the application and/or interview process should contact a management representative.