Admissions Director, Office of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (UT Southern - Pulaski, TN)

AboutUTSouthern

UT Southern is the newest campus to join the University of Tennessee System, resulting from UT’s acquisition of Martin Methodist College in 2021. The nearly 1,000 students enrolling at UT Southern enjoy a private, small-college experience at an affordable public university cost.

TheOpportunity

The University of Tennessee Southern is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Admissions to drive enrollment growth through the creative use of tools and approaches to recruitment, application, and matriculation of a diverse student body.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, the Director of Admissions provides leadership for all phases of recruitment and admission of new freshmen, transfer students, dual enrollment, and non-traditional students to advance the mission and strategic plan of UT Southern. The Director will contribute in measurable ways to the mission of UT Southern and fully embrace the systemwide Be One UT Values.

Primary duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic Planning

• Partners with the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs in developing and implementing strategies to achieve the university’s undergraduate enrollment goals.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of best practices in the recruitment of traditional and non-traditional undergraduate students
• Engages a diverse group of prospective students in ongoing communication through face-to-face meetings, email, written correspondence, phone calls, texting, and social media.
• Collaborates with the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs to develop and implement recruitment marketing and communications plan.
• Maintains a strong customer service orientation with personalized and timely responses to inquiries and questions.
• Reviews and evaluates undergraduate admissions applications to make admission decisions in accordance with admitting guidelines and goals.
• Works closely with Admissions staff to ensure management of data and systems support recruitment, admissions, communications, and campus visits to achieve enrollment goals.

Leadership

• Establishes recruiting goals and oversees the development and implementation of recruitment strategy.
• Oversees hiring, training, coaching, and team-building for all admissions, recruitment, and office staff.
• Engages all staff members in advancing the goals of the department and the university.
• Prepares and communicates regular performance reviews with ongoing feedback throughout the year.
• Oversees the process to hire, train, schedule and supervise student workers.
• Establishes and monitors the budget for the Office of Admissions.
• Approves budget requests, travel expenses, and purchases for the department.

Outreach and Campus Visits

• Develops creative approaches for campus visits and outreach events such as college fairs and yield events.
• Promotes and participates in on-campus visit programs for prospective students and families, involving several weekend commitments throughout the school year.
• Speaks publicly to groups of visiting students and parents about the distinctive experience available at UT Southern.
• Partners with the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing to develop and manage an integrated marketing communications plan to engage prospective students and parents through print, email, web, calling, social media, texting, and in-person outreach.
• Oversees engagement with college search sites and other third-party vendors to market and promote UT Southern to generate inquiries from future students.
• Serves as an ambassador for the institution and the UT System.

Additional Responsibilities

• Promotes and supports the university's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusivity among the campus community.
• Contributes in measurable ways to the mission of UT Southern and fully embraces the systemwide Be One UT Values.
• Other duties as assigned by the Vice Chancellor.

RequiredQualifications

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required. Five years of relevant university admissions experience, including progressive supervisory experience, is also required.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience leading change, establishing accountability, and empowering others. As a highly collaborative leader, the successful candidate will value shared governance and will establish positive working relationships within the campus community, across the UT System, and among external stakeholders.

Additional requirements include:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, motivate, and supervise a team of diverse individuals, including young early-career professionals.
• Excellent public speaking and written communication skills
• Experience with student records management.
• Robust understanding of higher education and the higher education landscape.
• Experience with college recruitment and admissions practices.
• Ability to analyze problems and identify alternative solutions.
• Ability to effectively establish, monitor, and achieve measurable goals.
• Attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
• Strong commitment to excellence, integrity, and transparency.
• Experience in conceptual thinking, strategic visioning, and change management.
• Ability to conceptualize and interpret policies, practices, and procedures that support and enhance the mission, values, and objectives of UT Southern and the UT System.
• Ability to communicate effectively using oral, written, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to organize and conduct professional events, meetings, and campus visits.

PreferredQualifications

• Master’s degree
• Prior leadership of an admissions office within a university enrollment management unit
• Experience with higher education ERP and CRM software
• Knowledge of UT System and/or UT Southern policies and procedures
• Knowledge of and experience setting and managing enrollment tracking functions and data
• Track record of professional development and engagement with appropriate professional organizations
• History of utilizing technology to successfully engage constituents

ApplicationProcess

Candidates should apply electronically using the link below with a cover letter addressing their interest in and qualifications for the role, a resume, and a list of professional references.

Compensation for the position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, and much more.

Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee’s benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/