What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Admissions position at Schreiner University?
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Admissions oversees the Office of Admissions and provides leadership in developing and implementing innovative recruitment strategies and initiatives designed to attract students to the undergraduate and graduate programs. The position is responsible for student recruitment, marketing plans, and admission policies that achieve an incoming class optimal in number, strong in academic ability, and diverse in age, racial, cultural, and geographic background. The essential duties include facilitating long-range planning using research and applied theory to analyze the marketplace in support of recruitment and marketing strategies and aligning recruitment and admissions activities with the University’s strategic plan, mission, vision, and goals.
Specifically, the Director supervises the strategic student recruitment activities, including marketing/target analysis, prospect development and engagement, school and organization outreach, on and off-campus events, and staff development. The Director
also collaborates with various university constituencies including administration, faculty, students, and external organizations and institutions in implementing a holistic recruitment plan. The Director works in collaboration with the Marketing Office on the development of an integrated communication plan designed to provide print and electronic communications that positively influence the student decision process. The Director will ensure that the University’s admissions efforts are committed to diversity and sensitive to the needs of educationally and economically disadvantaged students.
The Director is responsible for initiating the development of admissions policy and making recommendations to the appropriate campus entities. The Director will also be responsible for liaising with the financial aid department, and an advanced knowledge of education policy and financial aid will be necessary.
As a leader of the Office of Admissions, the Director of Admissions is responsible for team leadership and team building within the office. To this end, the Director will provide leadership development and training for departmental and University staff and faculty in admissions, marketing, and student recruitment. A thorough understanding of human resource management, including the supervision of staff, hiring, training, orientation, evaluation, managing meetings, policy development, and risk management planning will be essential. The Director will be expected to maintain a current understanding of the applicable policies and regulations affecting the university’s admissions process. The Director will participate in professional organizations and development activities to ensure progressive admissions practices. It will be essential to thoroughly understand applicable federal, state, and University policies and laws governing admissions and recruitment and the release and disclosure of information.
Finally, the Director will also coordinate the data gathering, analysis and assessment activities of the Office of Admissions. The Director will be expected to apply rapidly changing technology and best practices appropriately to the execution of the university’s enrollment and recruitment goals. The Director will also analyze recruitment-related data and assess programming activities as part of the strategic enrollment planning initiative, including freshmen, transfers, non-traditional students, and graduate students. Lastly, the Director will be expected to participate in institutional assessment procedures.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Serve as a member of the leadership team for the Vice President for Enrollment Management.
- Oversee the development and successful implementation of comprehensive recruitment plans.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures to admit undergraduate students, graduate students, and international students.
- Provide supervisory oversight for the Admissions staff, including hiring and training staff, identifying priorities, evaluating performance, and addressing performance issues as needed.
- Work collaboratively with faculty and other offices on campus to support the recruitment and enrollment of prospective students.
- Interpret complex and detailed educational documents for transcript evaluation, application file review, and admission decisions.
- Supervise and coordinate all schedules for recruitment activities.
- Remain current on developments in external policies, rules, and regulations that impact Admissions at the college; disseminate information as needed.
- Interpret technical procedures and policies for internal and external audiences.
- Coordinate research analysis and decisions regarding recruitment activities.
- Represent the University by conducting public presentations to small, medium, and large groups (from 2 to 600 ) during information sessions, campus tours, national college fairs, high school and community college visits, inter-institutional meetings and other activities as required.
- Attend intercollegiate meetings at the national and state level for high school, 2-year, and 4-year college relations.
- Serve as one of the University’s international student admissions contacts and perform the duties of a Designated School Official for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED
- A bachelor’s degree is required, and a master’s degree is preferred.
- A minimum of 5 – 7 years’ experience in admissions.
- Experience and skill in new student market development and targeted student marketing strategies.
- Knowledge of current best practices in student recruitment.
- Excellent supervisory skills and abilities, including the ability to supervise and coach a diverse staff, successfully train and direct the work of others, evaluate performance, and address job performance issues.
- Experience with “constituent relationship management” software.
- Experience setting and meeting student recruitment goals.
- Experience in budget planning and monitoring.
- Experience that reflects a strong commitment to customer service; ability to maintain a commitment to excellent student-centered service.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a collaborative, culturally diverse work environment including faculty, staff, students, other campus units, external constituents, etc.
- Ability to produce, assess, and modify short- and long-range student recruitment plans.
- Ability to organize data and produce reports, policies and procedures.
- Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and perform a variety of projects and assignments simultaneously and in a timely manner.
- Ability to work as a member of a team in a collaborative decision-making environment.
- Ability to translate technical and cumbersome policies to external audiences.
- Excellent written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to utilize appropriate software, including Microsoft Office applications, Jenzabar, Jenzabar Recruitment Manager, etc.
- Ability and willingness to travel locally, regionally, and nationally.
- Able to work nights and weekends as required.
- Strong skill in and ability to connect with and recruit students including communicate with their families, counselors, and other influencers in the college choice decision.
- Skill in and ability to evaluate and improve recruitment strategies.
- Must have a valid Texas driver’s license, related insurance, and a good driving record.
