Associate Vice Chancellor, Enrollment Strategy & Transformation

About the role

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, seeks an experienced candidate for the position of Associate Vice Chancellor, Enrollment Strategy & Transformation. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education.

Responsibilities

• Lead Systemwide Enrollment Strategy, Innovation and Planning

• Provide expert analysis of current and emerging trends affecting enrollment growth, decline, and yield, including demographics, regional shifts, K-12 pipelines, and transfer patterns, to inform strategies that achieve systemwide enrollment targets.

• Establish systemwide yield goals and performance benchmarks, using data and predictive analytics to monitor and inform continuous refinement of recruitment, admission, and financial aid strategies.

• Leverage systemwide data, predictive analytics, and external research to assess workforce and educational trends, informing enrollment targets and long-range planning.

• Identify and scale innovative enrollment practices, including technology-enabled solutions, application and CRM systems that expand access and improve the student experience across all populations.

• Drive Implementation of Systemwide Initiatives

• Provide leadership and direction by overseeing the planning and implementation of key elements of CSU Forward and the SEM framework, ensuring a coordinated approach to access, flexible academic pathways, financial aid optimization, persistence, degree completion, and re-enrollment.

• Lead the development and implementation of centralized financial aid and admissions back-office functions, improving efficiency, consistency, and service delivery while enabling campuses to focus on student-facing engagement and support.

• Oversee the successful execution of major enrollment initiatives led by SEM units, including application systems, outreach and recruitment strategies, financial aid programs, direct admissions and transfer pathways.

• Advance initiatives that support modern learners, adults, working students, and re-engagement of stopped-out populations, aligning system efforts with statewide attainment and workforce goals.

• Ensure strong cross-functional and cross-campus collaboration to deliver a consistent, seamless, and student-centered experience across all CSU institutions.

• Shape Long-Range Enrollment Direction and Policy

• Inform the analysis on the return on investment of a CSU degree by aligning enrollment, financial aid, and academic pathways with affordability, timely degree completion, manageable student debt, and strong post-graduation outcomes.

• Define and monitor key performance indicators for enrollment and student success, advancing a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision-making.

• Provide executive leadership in the development, refinement, and approval of systemwide enrollment policies and practices, ensuring they reduce barriers, support students, and enhance access and success.

• Oversee policy alignment across admissions, financial aid, outreach, and student records, ensuring consistency, compliance, and responsiveness to legislative and regulatory requirements.

• Guide and oversee the translation of strategy into coordinated systemwide policies and practices, building on operational leadership to ensure effective implementation and measurable outcomes.

• Advise executive leadership, the Chancellor’s Office, and the Board of Trustees on enrollment trends, policy implications, and emerging issues, including legislative and intersegmental developments.

• Strategic Partner to Campuses and Stakeholders

• Serve as a key strategic partner and senior liaison to campus enrollment leaders, supporting the adoption and scaling of systemwide initiatives while enabling campus-level innovation.

• Guide university stakeholders in cutting-edge approaches to achieving equitable student outcomes and provide campuses with actionable data, tools, and guidance to implement evidence-based enrollment strategies.

• Facilitate collaboration across campuses and with external partners, including K-12, California Community Colleges, UC, and community organizations, to strengthen pipelines and student pathways.

• Provide the Chancellor and VC with expert advice and analytical support on complex enrollment issues.

• Provide Executive Oversight of Enrollment Functions

• Provide executive oversight of systemwide enrollment management functions, establish a highly motivated work environment, monitor staff performance, and create opportunities for professional growth and development.

• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, belonging, and continuous improvement across all enrollment functions, strengthening organizational effectiveness and long-term impact.

Qualifications

• An earned graduate degree from an accredited university is required. A doctorate or terminal degree is highly preferred.
• Seven years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in enrollment management, student success, or academic administration, including oversight of admissions, financial aid, or registrar operations.
• Five years of experience working within a public higher education institution.
• Comprehensive knowledge of higher education best practices in enrollment management and thorough knowledge of federal financial aid policies.
• Proven ability to lead large, diverse teams, with demonstrated skills in organizational change, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
• Breadth and depth of the principles, strategies, and efforts of strategic enrollment management and the administration of its functions.
• Proven track record of providing visionary, collaborative, trusted, skilled, and innovative leadership with exceptional administrative, financial, and managerial skills.
• Familiarity with the dynamics of academic decision-making and policy development experience required for extensive consultation with groups of administrators and user constituents.
• Excellence in consulting, relationship building, and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to interact and negotiate with colleagues having disparate interests while adequately representing the position of the CSU.
• Understanding of the dynamics of a public multi-campus university system.
• A skilled, diplomatic, and strategic mindset.