Job Details

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President (AVP) and Dean of Admission, the Director of Admission Diversity Outreach and Partnerships is a senior manager within the Division of Enrollment Management and serves as one of three Directors of Admission. In partnership with the AVP and Dean, the Directors lead the senior admission management team in strategic planning and share responsibility for developing strategies and tactics to attract, recruit, and enroll a talented and diverse student body that supports the overall mission, strategic plan, and enrollment goals of the University. The Director of Admission Diversity Outreach and Partnerships provides leadership and direction for all student outreach particularly in new and expanding markets, including but not limited to partnerships and international student recruitment. In leading the admission staff to realize aspects of the University’s Strategic Plan, the Director manages strategic partnerships with over 25 community-based organizations and high school partnership programs and oversees the office-wide focus on the recruitment of domestic students of color and first-generation college students. As a visible member of the University, the Director represents the admission office in national and regional organizations as well as on various university committees and working groups. Each Director also participates in the daily work of admission by managing an admission territory.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Department Management 

• Manage, lead, and inspire the staff to create a highly functioning, goal-oriented, and data-driven office.
• Think strategically, utilizing the latest technology and research to shape a class to meet the University’s admission and enrollment expectations.
• Assist with evaluating and making recommendations on admission policies related to the admission review and selection process.
• Play a key role in developing, planning, and implementing professional development and mentoring opportunities for staff.
• Promote a professional and healthy work environment.
• Form and oversee various Admission Working Groups as necessary.
• Interpret, communicate, and apply admission policies, guidelines, and procedures; and implement new policies as needed.
• Develop and implement strategic planning efforts related to budget, as well as provide in-depth analysis of historical budget trends and forecasting.
  • Manage the budgetary, legal, and ESM approval process for partnership Memorandums of Understanding
  • Assist with overseeing various aspects of the office’s overall operational budget

Strategic Student Recruitment 

• In collaboration with the AVP and Dean, Directors, and the senior admission management team, develop and implement strategic long-range planning efforts, including determining budget, targeted marketing, and communication plans for student recruitment.
• In collaboration with the AVP and Dean and the Director of Admission Recruitment and Marketing, play a key role in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive marketing strategy, including the coordination of all data analysis and activities related to recruitment and admission of first generation students, domestic students of color, and international students.
• Collect, analyze and report on survey data in order to inform admission recruitment initiatives.
• Chair the Student Outreach Working Group, a small group of staff that studies data and macro-level institutional and industry trends to inform strategic and tactical recommendations that relate to our student recruitment plan.

Diversity and Outreach Recruitment 

• Provide vision, leadership, and direction for student recruitment and overall management of the University’s community-based organization and high school partners, including annual reporting and recommendations for new partnership or partnerships to be discontinued.
• Oversee and direct off and on campus programs for the recruitment of international students, domestic students of color, first generation college students, and low-income students.
• Manage the creation, organization, processing, and annual review of memos of understanding and other similar contractual agreements with external partners.
• Manage multicultural student recruitment budget.
• Represent the University at national and regional conferences, meetings, and workshops about domestic and international students, students of color, first generation college students, low-income students, community-based organizations, and high school partnership programs.

External Relations

• Establish and maintain relationships with guidance counselors at high schools around the country and abroad, within the Director’s specific recruiting territory, and with other influencers in the college guidance community.
• Represent the University at regional and national conferences and various public engagements both on- and off- campus.
• Serve on various university committees and working groups.
• As necessary, represent the VPEM, AVP and Dean, and admission office in meetings and on committees on and off the University that relate to admission policies and practices.

Enrollment Management

• Serve as a member of the Enrollment Management leadership team.
• As needed, serve on Enrollment Management working groups.
• Work collaboratively with members of the enrollment division and other campus constituents to address various policy and operational issues.

Data Analytics

• Collect, analyze and report on survey data in order to inform admission practices. Examples of past and current projects include, search reports, inquiry reports, and a study on the definition of traditional inquiries.
• The Director will co-chair the Prospect Management Working Group, a small group of staff that studies data and macro-level institutional and industry trends to inform strategic and tactical recommendations that relate to our business operation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge

• A thorough understanding of and appreciation for the highly-selective, private college admission process, the strengths of an undergraduate liberal arts experience, and the value of a diverse community.
• An analytical approach to problem solving, a developed instinct and proven knowledge of national and international markets, and the ability to utilize data to assess, evaluate, and validate decisions is essential.
• Proven success in implementing prospect management strategies and tactics.
• Proven ability to learn, or successful experience with, hardware/software application systems and CRMs such as Slate and Banner.
• A thorough understanding of strategic data tools, and predictive modeling and other complex data techniques.
• Knowledge of enrollment planning, demographics, recruitment and travel strategies, marketing strategies, communications, and admission office operations.
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Skills

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional presentation skills
• Strategic thinking skills and creative vision.
• Strong operational and technology skills.
• Strong project and resource management skills.
• Keen interest in and advocate for use of technology in marketing strategies.
• Statistical research and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to motive and inspire staff toward a common goal or vision

Ability

• Demonstrated ability to lead, train, motivate, and supervise staff.
• Highly self-motivated and independent critical thinker and worker.
• Advanced problem-solving capabilities, creativity, and strong work ethic.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks concurrently coupled with excellent organizational and delegation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with various internal and external constituencies.
• Highest standards for accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information.
• Possess a healthy sense of humor and a positive approach
• Possess a valid driver’s license.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
• At least eight years of progressive experience working in college admission and/or various roles within an enrollment management or higher education structure, including at least five years of direct supervisory/leadership experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively, independently, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, including the development and execution of a robust prospect management system.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience management of online application review systems, student recruitment technology, data applications, and other various software and Web applications.
• Must possess strong written and oral communication skills, as well as group presentation skills.
• Proven ability to work with diverse constituencies, both on and off

WORK HOURS:

• Full-time, exempt position
• Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 7.75 hrs./day; 38.75 hrs./week

Salary is commensurate to experience and market analysis. Finalists may inquire about salary expectations and benefits.

ABOUT UR:

At the University of Richmond, we’re creative, inclusive, and determined. We’re Spiders, and our mission is to create positive change in the UR community and beyond. Located minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond (www.richmond.edu) blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. There’s only one place like Richmond.

UR is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, our academic community welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. EOE