Assistant Director, Selective Admissions

Job Description Summary:  The assistant director position plays a pivotal leadership role for all undergraduate selective admission processes, working with undergraduate selective admission programs in the College of Health and Human Services. For all assigned selective admission programs, the assistant director ensures and directs the delivery of effective communication of program and admission requirements to potential students and families, plans and facilitates recruitment activities, and coordinates communication and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders (students, families, program directors/department chairs/school directors/faculty, admissions team, professional advisors). The position is responsible for the supervision of the selective admission specialist and ensures effective communication occurs with applicants throughout and beyond the admission process, offering alternative pathways within the institution for applicants wait-listed or denied first-choice program admission. Gathers and analyzes data for decision-making related to selective admission processes that ensure the desired quality and quantity of students in assigned selective admission programs and assists in the design and implementation of initiatives to meet enrollment KPI’s and program expansion goals.  Engages with health care partners as part of strategic growth initiatives.

Functions:

Develops admission strategies in collaboration with all stakeholders (Chief Enrollment Officer, Admissions team, program directors, faculty, staff, students) regarding all selective admission processes for undergraduate CHHS programs, and provides leadership in the execution of these processes.

Management of selective admission processes for assigned selective admission programs, including data collection, analysis, and assessment of admissions processes for continuous improvement.

Plans, coordinates, and participates in prospective student engagement and recruitment activities for selective admission programs, through on and off-campus venues, across all pre-admission and application stages.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Develops admission strategies in collaboration with all stakeholders (Chief Enrollment Officer,  Admissions team, faculty, staff, students) regarding all selective admission processes, and provides leadership in the execution of these processes.
   • Collaborate directly with the Dean and CHHS extended leadership (department chair/school director, program directors) and Chief Enrollment Officer and Admissions team to devise comprehensive strategies for attracting and enrolling highly qualified candidates in all CHHS undergraduate selective admission programs and assigned behavioral workforce initiatives. Contributes actively to the development and refinement of recruitment and outreach strategies tailored to specific selective admission programs, leveraging data-driven insights and market analysis.
   • Devise innovative and targeted recruitment plans, incorporating a multi-faceted approach that may include digital marketing, targeted outreach campaigns, partnerships with industry leaders, alumni engagement initiatives, and participation in relevant fairs, conferences, and networking events. Regularly assess and adjust strategies based on the effectiveness of outreach efforts, evaluating metrics such as application conversion rates, range of demographics, and candidate quality to optimize recruitment strategies.
   • Provides supervision to direct reports (selective admission specialist and others as assigned) to ensure effective delivery of their selective admission process responsibilities.
2. Management of selective admission processes for assigned undergraduate selective admission programs, including data collection, analysis, and assessment of admissions processes for continuous improvement.
   • Manage application processing management to ensure applicants can apply easily for their program of choice; supervises the selective admission specialist in the accurate use of the related IT processes. Oversee the maintenance of user-friendly, intuitive online application systems within the university’s customer relationship management system (Slate) that enable applicants to easily access and navigate the application process. Collaborate with IT, Admissions, and academic program team members to continually enhance the online application portal, optimizing it for usability, accessibility, and compatibility across various devices.
   • Develop comprehensive and clear instructions for applicants regarding the required materials, deadlines, and steps involved in the application process. Ensures accuracy and currency of all pre-admission materials (application portal, webpages, catalog, etc.) in collaboration with program directors/department chairs/School directors. Use feedback and data analytics to make data-driven improvements to the application system, addressing bottlenecks and enhancing the overall application experience for students and the quality of applicant data for program director uses and advising purposes.
   • Establish effective communication channels, providing prompt responses to applicant inquiries, clarifications, and updates on their application status throughout the evaluation process. Maintains/ensures ongoing communication with students about admissions materials and coordinates academic advising sessions with professional and faculty advisors. Ensure proactive outreach communication with students not accepted to first-choice programs to increase support and retention.
   • Develops, maintains, monitors, and assesses key metrics related to applicant demographics, selective admission processes, and student success. Shares data effectively with program directors, department chairs, and the school director in CHHS to support program requirements, including accreditation.  Communicates metrics to Chief Enrollment Officer and Admissions team for continuous quality improvement in the application experience and effective recruitment.
3. Plans, coordinates, and participates in prospective student recruitment activities on and off-campus, throughout pre-admission and application and post[1]decision stages of selective admission program enrollments.
   • Plan and coordinate student engagement for prospective students for CHHS undergraduate selective admission programs. Supervises the selective admission specialist and direct reports’ participation in assigned student engagement and recruitment activities. Ensures selective admission team serves as a primary point of contact for prospective students, offering guidance, information, and support throughout the admission process. Manages own recruitment schedule, maintains contacts and appointments, and makes travel arrangements. Manage special projects and other duties, as assigned.
   • Develop and implement personalized communication strategies (e.g., targeted email campaigns, individual meetings, etc) to engage prospective students, understanding their individual needs and interests and address specific inquiries and provide tailored information about the programs. Ensures students are supported throughout the admission process and provided guidance on next steps, regardless of the admission decision for selected program, including comprehensive, personalized resources regarding potential pathways within or alternative program options outside the specific program of interest. Connect applicants, regardless of admission decision, with relevant support services within the institution, such as career counseling, academic advising, or access to professional development opportunities.
   • Directs recruitment and application processes for selective admission applicants, ensuring applicants are provided with tailored guidance and support throughout the application and post-decision process. Ensure that comprehensive information on program requirements and documentation necessary for selective admission applications is provided consistently across programs and all admissions and recruitment activities.  Coordinates meetings with program directors, department chairs, school director, and program faculty to discuss program recruitment and retention strategies and processes, and identify opportunities for improved efficiencies and expansion in the application process.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  High-level interpersonal and communication skills necessary to interact effectively with a variety of publics; Ability to collaborate effectively with all stakeholders, including Admission team, CHHS team, and all relevant student support teams; Ability to effectively lead and supervise direct reports to carry out responsibilities of the health sciences/human services selective admission specialist role; Ability to relate to diverse groups of students and constituencies; Ability to plan, prioritize and complete work assignments on deadline while responding to frequent and varied interruptions; Strong organizational skills; Data analysis skills; Computer literacy and effective use of spreadsheets, word processing, database/institutional, and presentation software/business systems; Ability to work evenings and occasional weekends

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Health Care Administration/Health Professions, Counseling/Human Services, Marketing, Education, Student Affairs, and 4-5 years of experience

Or, Master's Degree in Communications, Health Care Administration/Health Professions, Counseling/Human Services, Marketing, Education, Student Affairs, and 2-3 years of experience