Director of Admission presso Ursinus College

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, this position is charged with enhancing the critical function of enrolling right-fit students at a liberal arts college focused on the intellectual and personal development of its solely undergraduate population.

The Director leads a motivated admission team striving to not only meet the college’s enrollment targets but also firmly ensconce the brand promise among varied constituencies. Supervising members of the admission staff and overseeing the overall operation of the admission office, the Director works collaboratively with senior leadership to organize and implement a highly efficient, team-based enrollment management model. This includes oversight of key enrollment indicators, comprising the academic and personal qualities of the incoming first-year and transfer classes and their persistence to graduation.

Specific Responsibilities:

The Director will be confident and team-oriented, with aspirations for campus-wide involvement and impact, and act as a resource for direct reports and campus partners alike and exhibit professionalism in every interaction. The Director will:

• Transparently establish expectations and oversee accountability for each member of the admission team based on established areas of responsibility
• Coordinate an admissions strategy in conjunction with the AVPEM to meet established fall and spring first-year, transfer and international recruitment goals
• Hire, train, supervise and evaluate admissions staff
• Chair the Committee on Admission, providing oversight to the evaluation process for the entering first-year and transfer classes and aligning file review with the best practice models for liberal arts colleges 
• In collaboration with the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management, Director of Enrollment Operations and Analytics and Director of Financial Aid & Enrollment Analysis, internally develop, oversee, and assess strategic financial aid allocation and its impacts on enrollment trends 
• Maintain open avenues of communication to all constituencies and regularly disseminate messages regarding institutional direction and protocol
• Provide oversight and support for the management, planning, and execution of all campus recruitment events, as well as recruitment-related travel
• Oversee the development and execution of a strategic international recruitment plan, serving as the primary liaison for all external and internal partners and traveling internationally on behalf of the college, if deemed necessary
• Maintain a traditional domestic recruitment territory
• Creatively partner with members of the Ursinus community, particularly faculty and alumni relations, in forwarding the culture of enrollment management
• Serve as primary liaison with the advancement division in the development and implementation of a robust alumni outreach program, Parent Leadership Council, and other related projects
• Directly partner with the Athletic Office on the recruitment and enrollment efforts of exemplary Division III student-athletes
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications to enhance communication and outreach strategies for prospective students, parents, and the guidance community
• Create and update yearly recruitment plans in conjunction with the institutional strategic plan, AVPEM and marketing
• Engage in long-term planning and evaluation, as well as resource assessment and budgeting procedures
• Design, organize and implement a comprehensive training and professional development plan for the admission team
• In consultation with the AVPEM, oversee the development and execution of specified, strategic recruitment plans impacting multicultural recruitment, international, and transfer students
• Functionally substitute for the AVPEM when needed

Qualifications:

The college seeks a director embodying a spirit and mission of Ursinus College which includes the following qualities:

• A deep commitment to and passion for a modern, 21^st century, liberal arts education
• The character to embody the mission of the institution as a College That Changes Lives, both personally and professionally
• The ability to effectively articulate inspirational and unifying leadership to both a diverse team and eager campus community
• Willingness to deliver intentional mentorship and guidance, challenging staff toward exemplary achievement while providing tangible support
• A deep understanding of current enrollment trends and aptitude for data analysis, combined with an ability to apply these characteristics to inform process and function
• The cultural competency needed to promote diversity honorably and prominently in all its forms
• Working knowledge of systems and current technologies utilized to support successful enrollment outcomes; experience with Slate preferred
• The desire to join and foster a dynamic, transformative campus culture
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the enrollment challenges and opportunities facing liberal arts undergraduate colleges, with the ability to anticipate and respond to market trends.
• Effectively translates the distinct value of a liberal arts education for prospective students and families in ways that align with the APEX initiative and resonate with the expectations of today’s students and parents.
• Experience with the development, implementation, and evaluation of marketing and recruitment strategies

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
• Supervisory experience
• At least six years of progressively responsible experience in college admission, preferably in a liberal arts college
• Experience with the development, implementation, and evaluation of marketing and recruitment strategies

Other Duties:

• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
• Job responsibilities and activities may be modified or changed at any time with or without notice.  Job descriptions will be audited periodically by the Ursinus Human Resources department to ensure they are up-to-date and reflect the essential responsibilities and duties of the job.

Ursinus EEO Statement:

Ursinus is an EEO employer.  Ursinus College does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or other classification protected by applicable law in the administration of any of its educational programs or activities or with respect to employment. 

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