Assistant Director, Student Recruitment

Harris School Student Recruitment & Operations Why policy? For a better world. Why Harris Public Policy? Because when it comes to better policymaking, evidence matters. We work at the frontiers of data collection and analysis, using the latest technology and social science methods to design policies that work for society. We conduct rigorous inquiry in an environment of innovation and risk taking, fearlessly questioning the status quo. We collaborate across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, adopting new methodologies to drive better solutions. We engage with our city, our world, and our leaders every day to evaluate and test our ideas. And we lead with our passion for driving social change, knowing that passion alone does not equal impact. With passion and precision, we figure out what’s best for society—and get it done. This is Harris Public Policy: Social impact, down to a science. The Assistant Director of Student Recruitment, is responsible for working with key segments to meet revenue targets, serves as the initial point of contact for prospective students, organizes the execution of recruitment events and campus visits, conducts interviews and applicant evaluations, coordinates the admissions of students independently or with guidance from others, and supports key administrative functions for the Student Recruitment and Global Outreach office. In this role, the Assistant Director helps ensure a high-quality prospective student experience by providing excellent customer service and support to applicants and Chicago Harris colleagues. The Assistant Director will report to the Senior Director of Student Recruitment and Operations.

• Serves as the initial point of contact for prospective students (academic/degree-based programs), ensuring a positive, personalized experience unique to Chicago Harris, while delivering on net tuition targets.
• Manages a caseload of students for a targeted program or demographic, focused on improving conversion rates through the enrollment funnel and meeting net tuition revenue targets.
• Understands the historical conversion rates and revenue targets of key populations and use this information to inform execution toward current targets.
• Participates and lead targeted events and outreach for key segments.
• Conducts outreach in the form of student appointments, phone calls, emails, SMS, campus visits, virtual and in-person events (pending COVID restriction updates).
• Seeks opportunities to enhance and personalize interactions and visits with the Recruitment team, making recommendations on larger changes to leadership.
• Manages daily inquiries to the Student Recruitment and Global Outreach office.
• Responds to and forwards email and phone inquiries to appropriate staff, ensuring quick and informative responses to prospective students and others contacting the office.
• Answers walk-in visitor inquiries professionally, efficiently and effectively.
• Coordinates the application process and oversee collection of appropriate application and enrollment documentation for caseload.
• Coordinates the inflow of applications and ensure all required application documentation is secured within established deadlines.
• Confirms application status and troubleshoot issues that arise with the submission process.
• Resolves prospective student inquiries throughout the application submission cycle.
• Coordinate the execution of recruitment events with attention to detail and according to Harris event standards.
• Assists with visitation programs and tours, conveying information about Harris and admissions process to prospective students.
• Works with the Director of Recruitment and other leadership to understand the objectives of specific recruitment events and help create detailed event plans based on those objectives and oversee their execution.
• Collaborates with Harris and UChicago events experts in order to utilize best practices and ensure all events are executed according to standards appropriate for Harris.
• Coordinates logistical arrangements for all campus visits to ensure a positive experience for prospective students and their accompanying guests.
• Serves as the day-to-day administrator for the Recruitment office.
• Updates and manage the accuracy of the Recruitment office calendar, ensuring all aspects of the recruitment life cycle are accounted for, as well as large events and initiatives happening in other areas of Harris and the University.
• Executes GEMs and reimbursement reporting for the Recruitment Office, prospective student visitors, and others as assigned.
• Provides support to the Director of Recruitment including scheduling meetings, coordinating travel, preparing materials, itineraries, meeting briefs, etc.
• Oversees student workers and other administrative staff, as applicable.
• Executes special projects as assigned by the Director of Recruitment.
• Recruits and/or evaluates applicants for admission by interviewing, reading applications and summarizing evaluations. Completes these tasks independently or with some guidance and instruction from others.
• Travels and recruits in an assigned geography, assisting with planning and delivering public presentations, special events, and other recruitment activities.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

• Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, Business Administration, Political Science, Economics, Policy or related field.

• Administrative experience in Recruitment/Admissions, Student Affairs, Academic Support, Sales, or closely-related environment.
• Familiarity with higher education environment, interest in public policy, and knowledge of the University of Chicago’s unique culture and administrative systems.

• Driver's license.

• Customer-service orientation with a strong aptitude for maintaining a positive demeanor in difficult customer exchanges, and experience recruiting or working with diverse populations.
• Experience with Slate or other CRM.
• Demonstrate ability to review and prioritize work to take appropriate actions without advance approval, set priorities, and meet deadlines ensuring close attention to detail.
• Effectively work on multiple projects simultaneously employing strong project management skills.
• Excellent project management and written/verbal communication skills, both presenting and writing or editing experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Internet, social media, and e-mail at an intermediate level.

• Evening and weekend work required occasionally and during peak recruitment season.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Driver’s license and willingness to travel to regionally and nationally as needed.

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

Student Affairs & Services Individual Contributor 37.5 No No No Salary Exempt $51,000.00 - $66,000.00 Yes