Associate Director, Undergraduate Admissions

Position Summary:
VCU’s Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success (SEMSS) Office of Admissions implements recruitment and marketing strategies to attract and enroll new freshmen and transfer undergraduate students, reviewing over 20,000 applications annually. The Office of Admissions concentrates on meeting university goals and initiatives from student enrollment as well as to increase the overall student body’s academic profile and enhance out-of-state student enrollment. The Office of Admissions works strategically and collaboratively with other areas within the university to enhance the visibility of VCU in all of its target markets.

The Associate Director will lead a team of Admissions staff to plan, implement, and manage marketing and recruitment activities using multimedia strategies, direct mail, currently enrolled students, faculty and alumni, and other methods to attract and enroll prospective students, including domestic and international out-of-state, and oversee admissions events. In collaboration with the Director of Undergraduate Admissions, this position will support the implementation of office policies, successful long-term and short-term strategic planning, and effective problem-solving.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for supporting students in their enrollment goals while managing a dynamic, diverse team of staff, enjoy traveling, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Candidates with experience managing teams, overseeing campus visitation experiences, admissions events planning, or supporting strategic out-of-state recruitment initiatives will be most successful in this role.

Core Responsibilities:
•Undergraduate Admissions (45%): Oversee a team of staff to manage day-to-day activities related to undergraduate admissions and student enrollment.
o Counsel applicants, prospective students and parents concerning admissions requirements, procedures and programs offered by the university and conduct group information sessions.
o Review, evaluate, and process applications for admission following department and University processes including utilizing the CRM and other student information systems.
o Supervise a team of full-time and part-time admissions professionals to accomplish goals of the department for student recruitment ensuring staff have access to appropriate recruitment and admissions training and professional development opportunities.
o Maintain first-class public relations and provide quality customer service in person, via electronic media, and over the telephone to all university constituencies.
o Build and nurture mutually beneficial partnerships with key stakeholders across the University and other community partners.
o Conduct research to determine, create, and implement effective student recruitment strategies including use of multimedia tools such as publications, web-based information, and marketing to drive student enrollment and increase yield.
o Travel to admissions events and other selected activities to actively recruit new students from both in-state and out-of-state.
o Performs other duties as assigned.

•Admissions Events (30%): Oversee the development, coordination, and implementation of admissions events aimed at new students, including but not limited to, open houses, preview days, student receptions, virtual events and programming, counselor breakfasts, receptions, and fly-in programs.
o Manage team to develop, plan, support, and implement admissions events program.
o Think proactively and critically about contingency plans for admissions events and the daily visit program.
o Develop, update, and provide post-event data analysis reports on all admissions events to leadership.

•Out-of-State Recruitment and Events (25%): In partnership with the Director, lead the development and implementation of recruitment plans and strategies to attract out-of-state students including virtual events and tools to drive out-of-state student enrollment and yield.
o Oversee the supervision of a team of regional recruiters to accomplish goals of the department for student recruitment ensuring staff have access to appropriate recruitment and admissions training and professional development opportunities.
o Build and maintain strategic partnerships including with colleagues in academic units, community-based groups, and out-of-state school counselors and community college personnel.
o Conduct research to determine, create, and implement effective student recruitment strategies including use of multimedia tools such as publications, web-based information, and marketing to drive out-of-state student enrollment and increase yield.
o Lead the development, implementation, and management of a robust Virtual Visitation & Recruitment Program including, but not limited to, information sessions, student panels, academic and student services programming, and live admissions staff chat sessions.
o Develop, update, and provide post-event data analysis reports on all admissions events to leadership.

Minimum Hiring Standards:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• At least two years relevant professional experience in an enrollment management service area (i.e. admissions, student success, recruitment, financial aid, or records and registration) including supervisory experience. Superior written and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with all levels of University administration.
• Ability to make sound business decisions, take initiative, and work independently without close supervision.
• Ability to handle confidential matters.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments at once while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
• Experience using a variety of computer software and student information systems.
• Ability to provide clear direction and establish efficient priorities.
• Ability to adjust to changing work priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Customer service and public speaking experience.
• Valid driver’s license and current car insurance and ability to travel locally and nationally.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, as required.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in higher education, student services, or related field.
• More than two years of experience in an admissions office, university recruitment, and/or overseeing a campus visitation program and event planning.
• Knowledge of VCU programs and admissions policies.
• Experience with Slate Technolutions CRM, Banner Student Information System, and ImageNow imaging software.

Other Position Details:
This position travels frequently both to local and national events. This position also has the potential for remote work flexibility.

Position Number: FA1300

Position Title: Associate Director, Undergraduate Admissions

Department: Office of Admissions

Role Code: 10321 Manager AA 1

Position Type: Exempt

Salary: Up to $70,000

ORP Eligible?: Yes

Open Date: 5/2/2022

Close Date: 6/5/2022