Executive Director of Admissions

Job Title:                    Executive Director of Admissions

Classification:            Professional

Division:                     Academic Affairs

Department:               Office of Admissions

Reports to:                 Associate Provost for Enrollment Management

FLSA:                         Salaried, Exempt

Job Summary:

The Executive Director (ED) of Admissions is responsible for the leadership of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education admissions and recruitment designed to attract and enroll a talented, diverse student population to Lincoln University. The ED has the principal responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic admissions plan focused on recruitment, admission and retention consistent with Lincoln University’s mission, strategic goals and direction. The ED of Admissions has direct managerial responsibility and oversight for the Offices of Admissions, main campus and The School of Adult & Continuing Education, and is responsible for strategies that focus on student success and graduation. This position requires extensive interaction and coordination with University leadership and campus external and internal partners, Advancement and Athletics, and is expected to develop and enhance valuable partnerships with external constituents. The ED must ensure the appropriate dissemination and adherence admissions regulations, and other matters pertaining to the assurance of program compliance and success. 

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with faculty, deans, staff, and executive team members through active communication and participation.
• Facilitate the establishment of annual recruitment goals by student prospect type (freshmen, transfer, post-baccalaureate, non-traditional, and international) in collaboration with Associate Provost for Enrollment Management.
• Provide leadership in shaping strategic admissions goals, including goals for diversity, academic profile, and approaches to student financial assistance.
• Create and execute comprehensive strategic admissions, recruitment, plans to include support by and use of technology for communication flows, social media, and message development.
• Lead and actively manage staff in the execution of goals by establishing appropriate staff reporting structures and creating a supportive and collaborative environment for success and continuous professional development.
• Collaborating with Marketing/Communications staff to develop and implement marketing materials and targeted communication plans, including electronic communications and social media platforms.
• Develop and monitor appropriate admissions dashboards to enable data-informed decisions for allocating staff and financial resources to achieve admissions goals.
• Collaborate with various departments, to strengthen and clarify the campus image in support of admissions efforts (print, electronic, and social media) and to ensure consistency of brand, timeliness of campaigns, and the creation of clear and compelling messages.
• Works with academic departments to enhance recruitment efforts.
• Develop and manage annual budgets for respective areas.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent work-related experience will be considered
• Knowledge of recruitment, marketing, admissions, financial aid practices and 4-6 years of experience in higher education
• Knowledge of Ellucian CRM Recruit and/or Colleague.
• Knowledge and skill in using qualitative and quantitative data to drive effective program development, marketing, recruitment, admission.
• Knowledge of technology-based solutions using communication tools to support recruitment of new students.
• Possession of high professional standards and a personal code of ethics characterized by honesty, integrity, openness and fairness.
• Effective interpersonal written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to foster collaborative efforts and partnership building with internal and external constituencies within a diverse community.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify, consult and resolve issues that impact institutional needs and priorities and experience in using data to make sound decisions and foster improvement.
• Skill as a visionary and innovative leader, seeking innovation as well as the ability to review and evaluate the results of that innovation.
• Ability to work within and commitment to a system of shared governance.
• Ability to commit to inclusive excellence.

Physical Demands:

Moderate lifting up to 20 pounds as frequently as needed to move objects; dexterity to write and manipulate computer keyboard and mouse; ability to hear and speak clearly; and body mobility to stoop, kneel, and bend and reach.

Work Environment:

Work is primarily performed in a university campus environment and requires a flexible schedule including evening and weekend work. Travel for administrative work is expected. The employee is subject to inside environmental conditions: protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

Lincoln University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply The University is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff.