Assistant Director of Admissions, Office of JD Admissions

Founded in 1896, the Gould School of Law has a distinguished past built on the principles of equity and excellence, and the courage to break new ground. USC first introduced legal education in Southern California. Today, the Law School continues to make history through its philosophy of innovation and through its people. USC Gould cultivates analytical ability, ethical values, and a spirit of collegiality that prepare students for meaningful careers benefiting society. It was one of the first law schools to engage students in clinical programs and remains a leader in experiential education.

About the role

The USC Gould School of Law seeks to hire a full-time Assistant Director of Admissions for the JD program office. This position will report to the Director of Admissions. The Admissions Office is a fast-paced environment which receives more than 7,000 applications each year and is highly selective, enrolling approximately 200 candidates each fall. The ideal candidate will be driven to meet and/or exceed objectives, is a self-starter, and brings innovative ideas to a dynamic team environment. This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a contact for prospective and admitted students, informing them about the University and its JD program
• Understand the law school admissions process and clearly articulate the academic program requirements and general policies and procedures of the institution
• Oversee the development and implementation of communication strategies with prospective and admitted students, including e-mail marketing, electronic newsletters, and social media outreach activities (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram)
• Coordinate messaging needs with other law school departments, particularly for onboarding 1L students each year
• Learn and implement new technologies to effectively market programs and events
• Assist with student conversion programs designed to promote enrollment
• Assist in the review of applications for admission (approximately 1,000+ applications per cycle)
• Stay updated on policies and procedures as provided by the University
• Maintain a relevant understanding of FERPA regulations regarding the distribution of student information
• Assist with the operation of the admissions database (UNITE)
• Attend fall recruitment events, requiring periodic local and out-of-state travel, primarily during the fall months
• Assist with final exam administration and proctoring at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters, as well as commencement each year
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested

Qualifications

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree; combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

Minimum Experience: 2 years; combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience.

Minimum Field of Expertise: Experience in admissions and recruitment at an academic or higher education institution, with knowledge of transfer credit policies and financial aid programs. 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. Skilled at organization, with astute attention to detail. 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or JD strongly preferred
• At least 2 years of related work experience in a law school admissions or higher education recruitment environment
• Experience with a CRM platform (Salesforce is preferred)
• Passion and enthusiasm for legal education
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Strong social media skills with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Ability to pay close attention to detail
• Ability to work within a team and be a contributing team player
• Ability to manage projects and meet deadlines
• Sound judgment
• Attention to detail and grammar accuracy

Schedule

Hybrid schedule: All staff are required to work three days in-person and may work up to two days remotely per week. Staff may be required to work more than three days in-person. Weekly schedule is dependent on business and department needs and may change at any time. New hires may be expected to work fully in-person during the probation and training period.

Pay

The annual base salary range for this position is $66,962.45 - $77,043.36. 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.

Benefits

Learn more about our benefits and perks here.