Director of Graduate Admissions and Outreach Initiatives

Hiring range: $102,800 - $124,630 annually. Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

About the role

This position reports to the Senior Assistant Dean. In collaboration with the Sr. Asst. Dean, the Director for Graduate Admissions and Outreach Initiatives is responsible for executing strategies to recruit and matriculate highly qualified graduate students to the School of Engineering (SoE). This role oversees all aspects of graduate admissions operations, including application processing and evaluation, while implementing outreach initiatives to strengthen institutional visibility and engagement with prospective students. The Director monitors recruitment KPIs, tracks graduate market trends, and collaborates with marketing to implement approved communications strategies for international and domestic prospective students.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the application review process and ensure timely and holistic review of candidates.
• Utilize Slate CRM and Workday to streamline operations and enhance the applicant experience.
• Ensure compliance with SoE, University, and accreditation standards.
• Manage assigned operating budget allocations related to admissions and outreach, under the direction of the Senior Assistant Dean.
• Implement and maintain admissions policies, procedures, and processes to ensure efficient record-keeping and timely delivery of application decisions.
• Monitor current admissions and enrollment trends and provide data-informed recommendations to support recruitment planning.
• Work with SoE partners to implement and maintain admissions standards and procedures for improving the visibility of existing programs and cultivating new academic initiatives.
• Serve as a liaison with Records, Financial Aid, and International Student Services (ISS).
• Contribute to the assessment of graduate program rankings and coordinate data collection for external reporting.
• Serve on local, regional, and national associations to ensure best practices in graduate admissions.
• Execute a strategic recruitment plan aligned with the School of Engineering’s mission, vision, and core values as a Jesuit engineering school.
• Cultivate regional, state, national, and international recruitment relationships to support enrollment goals.
• Monitor current graduate education markets and forecast future recruitment directions in collaboration with the Sr. Asst. Dean.
• Collaborate with faculty and school administrators to implement recruitment and admission plans.
• Gather and present relevant program information to industry partners and other universities.
• Determine appropriate outreach efforts (e.g., Graduate Fairs, Diversity Fairs) and identify staffing and support needs.
• Provide metrics to evaluate the ROI of outreach resources.
• Collaborate on the development of admissions marketing materials, including online, print, and radio advertising, and manage subcontracted agencies as necessary.
• Oversee outreach efforts to targeted prospective student populations.
• Develop, track, and report on strategies to generate inquiries.
• Manage recruitment funnel activities to support inquiry, application, and enrollment yield goals.
• Track and analyze recruitment data for each degree, certificate program, and subprogram (e.g., program concentrations).
• Prepare and distribute regular reports on relevant data to appropriate parties.
• Coordinate financial aid awards for incoming and current students and work with academic managers and the student services team to monitor financial aid.
• Lead admissions staff to ensure timely management of matriculation processes.
• Serve as the primary owner for assigned graduate enrollment portfolios, with responsibility for recruitment planning, market positioning, and enrollment outcomes.
• Develop portfolio-specific recruitment strategies aligned with School of Engineering priorities and enrollment targets.
• Monitor portfolio performance, including inquiry generation, application conversion, yield, and enrollment sustainability.
• Identify underperforming markets or programs and recommend corrective strategies to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with department chairs and program directors to align recruitment strategies with academic goals and capacity.
• Translate approved enrollment strategies into operational recruitment plans and timelines.
• Lead periodic performance review cycles to evaluate recruitment effectiveness and alignment with enrollment goals.
• Diagnose gaps between enrollment targets and outcomes and propose corrective actions to senior leadership.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for admissions performance issues requiring strategic intervention.
• Provide work direction for admissions staff, including assigning work, setting priorities, and contributing to performance evaluations.
• Recommend and implement initiatives to improve quality and services.
• Identify problems, develop recommendations for process improvements, and cultivate relationships with constituents.
• Maximize productivity through appropriate tools, training, and performance initiatives.
• Research and develop resources and procedures to create timely and efficient workflows.
• Prepare progress reports, inform supervisor of project status, and address deviations from goals.
• Ensure completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all recruitment and admissions processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; equivalent work experience focusing on higher education administration, marketing, or a related business field is highly preferred.
• 6-8 years of experience in higher education recruiting, admissions marketing, financial aid, student records, or related areas.
• Supervisory or management experience preferred.

Skills

• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to relate to a diverse population, promote the school, and work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and staff.
• Proficiency with Microsoft and Google Office software; familiarity with Slate and Workday platforms is a plus.
• Demonstrated strategic planning capability.
• Excellent administrative, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to handle difficult situations with professionalism and communicate effectively to multiple audiences.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to motivate faculty and staff.
• Ability to gather and analyze quantitative and qualitative data in an Excel environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters with judgment, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to forge relationships with faculty, students, and administrators within the SoE.
• Ability to engage external partners in collaboration to support graduate enrollment.
• Ability to think strategically while balancing attention to detail, anticipate needs, and demonstrate excellent organizational skills.
• Broad experience with higher education admissions and an understanding of the graduate admissions landscape at a private institution.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of strategic enrollment management strategies.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting domestic and international student populations.
• Demonstrated understanding—or willingness to acquire such—of the Jesuit mission and its implications for student services and admissions.
• Enthusiasm for the mission of the School of Engineering and commitment to its vision, mission, and values.
• Commitment to diversity and excellence through inclusion.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.
• Expected to travel to other buildings on campus.
• Expected to attend conferences and training sessions at in- or out-of-state locations.
• Expected to travel to venues outside the university for recruiting, enrollment events, or professional development.