Associate Director of Admissions- Graduate & Continuing Studies

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Admissions- Graduate & Continuing Studies, is responsible for three major areas: (1) recruitment strategy development, execution and analysis; (2) team leadership, training, and coaching; and (3) admissions territory oversight including travel and outreach in support of recruitment activities. To be successful in these three areas, the Associate Director will function as a relational strategist and be able to work through influence and partnership within the department, university and community.

This role will also oversee several other areas of responsibility as indicated below depending on current and anticipated departmental needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership

• Design staff recruitment strategies and processes that build a team that is diverse in multi-faceted ways to best represent and reflect the mission, vision and strategies of Calvin University.

• Intentionally foster a departmental team culture that is supportive, collaborative, engaged and motivated. Hire, train, and develop staff (and student staff) as needed to align with the desired team culture.

• Monitor the progress that team members are making towards personal and departmental enrollment goals for transfer, adult, graduate, and other audience recruitment strategies. Carefully monitor tracking reports (daily, weekly, monthly) and make adjustments and changes necessary to achieve department goals.

• Establish and maintain effective communication to regularly collect feedback, share plans and review results with all impacted departments and the university community.

• Regularly shadow and assess admissions team members to encourage skill and knowledge development.

• Handle sensitive issues and facilitate collaboration at the highest level.

• Recruitment strategy (overall graduate & continuing studies markets):

• Develop annual audience-specific recruitment plans that support increased student enrollment for the immediate term and with a long-term recruitment strategy focused on engaging student populations in key market development territories. Coordinate and evaluate admissions tactics to determine that our goals are being achieved.

• Analyze current audience enrollment data related to Calvin University student recruiting by reviewing current and historical enrollment and geographic data to identify and develop sources and contacts for reaching potential students.

• Lead initiatives that strategically integrate current students, faculty, staff and alumni into recruitment efforts with a focus on prospective student engagement and experience.

• Work in campus-wide partnerships with various constituents including fellow administrators, coaches, and faculty in administering admissions programs and projects.

• Develop opportunities for key graduate and continuing studies markets, including building and maintaining strong connections to key high schools, colleges, organizations and primary contacts as well as outreach for future business opportunities.

• Work in campus wide partnerships with a variety of constituents including administrators, staff, and faculty in administering graduate and continuing studies enrollment programs and projects.

• Understand the competitive landscape, how the market is shifting, and what impact these dynamics should have on program and organizational strategy going forward.

• Technical leadership

• Develop advanced proficiency within the CRM to gather data, plan travel, record interactions with students, monitor team and evaluate strategies. Database proficiency will be an essential component to successful recruitment management.

• Lead regular training, workshops and individual mentoring sessions that will guide the admissions staff on successful strategic territory management.

• Territory enrollment oversight

• This role will support the development of recruitment territories for the admissions counseling team and provide coverage when needed for events and appointments. This includes potential travel coordination, recruitment event development, student engagement and outreach, application process support, and managing long-term relationships with a network of schools, community groups and churches.

• Serve as secondary contact for prospective students and families through outreach calls, events, 1:1 meetings, emails, etc. Review admission files for completion, monitor the status of individual applicants, schedule recruitment visits and make travel arrangements to contribute to an efficient and cost-effective recruiting process.

• Plan and execute travel/recruitment plans to maximize enrollment efforts.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position requires management either directly or indirectly of a team of admissions counselors/managers and leaders at varied experience levels. Student employee supervision may also be required as needed.

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.
• 2-3 years of relevant admissions or sales experience preferred
• 1-2 years of previous leadership experience required
• Previous experience in adult or graduate admissions/recruitment or administration strongly preferred

Skill Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• STRATEGIC DESIGN- This role will need to envision a future for new enrollment opportunities and then collaborate with the team in developing the resources/structures necessary.
• RELATIONSHIP BUILDING- The nature of this position is highly collaborative and requires the person to be highly skilled in accomplishing goals through working with others. Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with individuals at all organizational levels.
• COMMUNICATION SKILLS- This position requires the ability to explain complex plans and university policies to others, identify needs and goals through active listening, coordinate and assess the work of others, and share information with others in written and verbal communication methods. This position also handles confidential information.
• ACCOUNTABILITY- Developing a culture of accountability is critically important for success. This role will develop measurement tools and rubrics and regularly measure performance of strategies and staff and develop corrective measures. This position also has the authority, if approved, to act or make recommendations that will affect procedures, processes, and practices involving customers or employees in other departments.
• ORGANIZATION- A demonstrated ability to organize and communicate complex information is required. Visually represent process, plans, and information to create clarity and understanding among all constituents. Attention to detail and timeliness is critical for success.
• DECISION MAKING/JUDGEMENT- Demonstrated ability to make judgement calls aligned with the university and department mission and vision is required. Ability to use data and reports for decision making and improvements.
• REPORT DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SKILL- This position will require an understanding and usage of a CRM database system to develop reports & queries for analyzation.
• DIVERSITY and INCLUSION COMMITMENT Demonstrated awareness of and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, physical ability, class, or religious perspectives.
• CREATIVTY- Develop creative approaches to challenging recruitment and enrollment issues through innovative and relevant strategies. Stay current in student preferences, buying behaviors, and industry updates through regular reading and research.
• TEAM BUILDING- This role must foster a team culture that is supportive, collaborative, engaged and motivated. Regular coaching and mentoring is essential to growing excellence among the team.

Additional Skill Requirements:

• Ability to connect with diverse audiences with a focus on relationship building
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to work independently, without supervision

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work in this position is performed within routine office conditions, usually without exposure to hazardous or unpleasant conditions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Proofreading and checking documents for accuracy.
• Using a keyboard to enter, retrieve, or transform data.
• Closely observes monitoring devices for 2 hours or more at a time.
• Lifting 40 lbs. or less. me.

FAITH and EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT

1. Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts University affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.

2. A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith, learning, and student development.

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, physical limitations, class, or religious perspectives.