Assistant Dean of Admissions

USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is a global leader in education and scholarship, serving more than 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students in communication, journalism, public diplomacy, and public relations. Our distinguished faculty includes world-renowned scholars and accomplished professionals who bring real-world expertise into the classroom. We advance the field of communication through innovative scholarship, exceptional teaching, and meaningful public service in an increasingly complex, global, and multicultural society.

About the role

The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is seeking an experienced professional to assume the role of Assistant Dean of Admissions. This position will report directly to the Dean and provide leadership in developing and executing admission strategies to ensure the school meets its enrollment goals.

We are looking for a dynamic, collaborative, and people-centered leader to provide strategic direction for the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of a diverse, talented, and highly qualified student body. This forward-thinking professional will develop and execute innovative, data-informed enrollment strategies that support the school's mission and long-term enrollment goals while ensuring an exceptional prospective student experience.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and implement comprehensive recruitment and enrollment strategies aligned with the school's strategic priorities.
  • Analyze admissions trends, applicant data, and market conditions to inform recruitment initiatives and enrollment planning.
  • Recommend policies and procedures to improve admissions processes and operational efficiency.
  • Represent the school in university-wide enrollment planning and strategic initiatives.
• Admissions Operations
  • Direct the day-to-day operations of the admissions office and oversee the admissions cycle from inquiry through enrollment.
  • Ensure timely and accurate review of applications and admissions decisions.
  • Monitor admissions metrics and prepare reports for school and university leadership.
  • Maintain compliance with university policies, accreditation standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Recruitment and Outreach
  • Lead recruitment efforts through information sessions, open houses, webinars, graduate fairs, and other outreach activities.
  • Build and maintain relationships with prospective students, faculty, alumni, employers, community organizations, and educational partners.
  • Develop strategies to expand applicant pipelines and increase enrollment across academic programs.
  • Travel as needed to represent the school at recruitment events and professional conferences.
• Leadership
  • Supervise, mentor, and evaluate admissions staff, fostering a collaborative, service-oriented, and high-performing team.
  • Promote a culture of excellent customer service for all internal and external stakeholders.
  • Partner with academic departments, Student Affairs, Financial Aid, Marketing and Communications, International Services, and other university offices to coordinate recruitment and enrollment initiatives.
  • Collaborate with faculty on admissions policies, applicant evaluations, and recruitment activities.
  • Support orientation, yield events, and other enrollment-related programming.
• Data Management and Assessment
  • Utilize admissions management systems to monitor recruitment efforts and applicant communications.
  • Evaluate recruitment outcomes using data analytics and recommend continuous process improvements.
  • Prepare enrollment forecasts and reports for leadership.
• Other Responsibilities
  • Manage admissions-related budgets and resources.
  • Serve on university committees as assigned.
  • Perform other duties as assigned in support of the school's mission and enrollment objectives.

Requirements

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum Experience: 8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in undergraduate and graduate admissions, enrollment management, higher education administration, or a related field, including responsibility for developing and implementing admissions strategies across multiple academic programs.
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Bachelor’s degree in business management, administration, higher education, or a related field. Six years’ experience in admissions and recruitment at an academic or higher education institution. Extensive experience in a leadership or management role in higher education, with solid knowledge of transfer credit policies and financial aid programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred Education: Master's Degree
• Preferred Expertise:
  • Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with international students.
  • Administrative experience with graduate and undergraduate populations in a university environment and knowledge of university policies and procedures.
  • Advanced skill in the use of Excel, Salesforce, MS Word and PowerPoint, in addition to experience working with admissions databases.

Skills

• Deft ability to gather, analyze, evaluate, and assess large amounts of physical and digital data.
• Skilled in interviewing, counseling, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Proven ability to interpret, analyze, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills for communicating tactfully with all levels of staff, media, and diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to lead and guide diverse, high-performing teams, fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, transparency, and accountability.
• Exemplary written and oral communication and presentation skills, with experience developing communication plans, instructional materials, and related content.
• Solid organizational skills with astute attention to detail.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $180,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Schedule

The regular hours for this full-time position are 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday. Holiday, weekend, and evening work hours will be required. Travel will be required at various times of the year.