Associate Director Graduate Admission

Merrimack College is a selective, private college in a beautiful, residential setting — just minutes from Boston, Massachusetts.

Position Overview & Responsibilities

The Associate Director will be directly involved in all aspects of recruitment and strategic planning for both Graduate and Continuing Education. They will identify barriers to recruitment for all programs and advise the Assistant Vice President, Provost and Academic Leadership on solutions. The Associate Director will assist the AVP in relationship building for all programs with external corporations, partner colleges and alumni.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute a student-centered, customer service-oriented strategy for cultivating relationships with prospective students.
  
  
• Oversee the processing of applications for graduate programs.
  
  
• Develop strategies for timely reading and processing of applications.
  
  
• Inspire, develop, and engage with admissions staff, contributing to the team and readiness for advancement and growth.
  
  
• Supervise, manage, and evaluate admissions staff, providing regular assessments and training.
  
  
• Oversee comprehensive and continuous new employee onboarding.
  
  
• Coordinate communications content in collaboration with the Office Graduate Marketing as well as other stakeholders.
  
  
• Adhere to and recommend policies, procedures, and services that are conducive for student selection, matriculation, and program viability.
  
  
• Collaborate with program directors to project and exceed enrollment goals.
  
  
• Present to prospective students, and other contacts about specific programs.
  
  
• Travel to various graduate fairs, admission events, and undergraduate institutions to promote specific programs.
  
  
• Manage, conduct, and analyze relevant admissions reports.
  
  
• Manage portfolio of high-priority, cross-functional projects and programs.
  
  
• Represent division at on-campus and external agency and stakeholder meetings, as necessary for effective collaboration to achieve enrollment goals.
  
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate exceptional communication skills, knowledge, and skills in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competence. They will have the ability to establish and develop long-term professional relationships with multiple constituencies. The Associate Director must have the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, target-driven environment that upholds the high standards of the institution.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Masters, preferred.
  
  
• A minimum of six years of admission experience with progressively increasing responsibility in selective college admissions and/or college counseling, or commensurate experience/education.
  
  
• Evidence of a strong commitment to and experience with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, preferably in a higher education setting.
  
  
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills, with a demonstrated commitment to staff development.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a data-oriented and analytical environment that has a high level of individual and team accountability.
  
  
• Cross-cultural competence and ability to communicate effectively with students from diverse backgrounds.
  
  
• Ability and willingness to work extended hours, including nights, weekends, & travel independently.
  
  
• Superior written, verbal, and public speaking communication skills.
  
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with prospective students, alumni, colleagues, and members of the Merrimack community.
  
  
• Strong multi-tasking, organization, and time management skills.
  
  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  
  
• Experience with Slate CRM preferred.
  
  
• Experience managing and developing a team.
  
  

Application Materials Should Include:

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning.
  
  
• Resume
  
  

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Augustinian mission, our Catholic faith and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Required Vaccinations & Remote Work:

Unless otherwise stated above, this is an on-campus position. This is not a remote or hybrid position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community. Merrimack College currently has a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. Students, faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 5,000 undergraduates and graduate students from 32 states and 37 countries, and comprises schools of liberal arts, science and engineering, health sciences, education and social policy, and business. The college’s 260- acre campus is approximately 25 miles north of Boston in North Andover and Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges & Universities/Medium Programs institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, coming in 46th out of 170 schools ranked in the Regional Universities North category in 2020. Merrimack is also listed as one of the top 10 most innovative schools and placed 35th for best undergraduate teaching programs among schools in the U.S. News category.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.