Director of Undergraduate Admissions - #001393

Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number EHRA1112P Quick Link for Internal Postings https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35082 Classification Title Director Working Title Director of Undergraduate Admissions - #001393 Department Admissions Anticipated Hiring Range Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions. About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

• 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Director of Undergraduate Admissions provides strategic and operational leadership for undergraduate admissions and is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that recruit, admit, enroll, and support the successful transition of a qualified, talented, and diverse undergraduate student body. The director leads recruitment and yield efforts for first-year, transfer, returning, and other designated undergraduate populations and works collaboratively with campus partners whose functions affect the enrollment experience.

The director develops and manages a comprehensive strategic recruitment and enrollment plan aligned with Western Carolina University's mission, strategic priorities, and UNC System policies and regulations. The director uses enrollment data, market research, technology, and assessment to establish goals; evaluate enrollment funnel performance; develop projections and forecasts; identify emerging markets and opportunities; and adjust strategies in response to demographic, competitive, economic, and policy changes.

The director provides leadership for admissions operations, technology, communications, policy, budgets, staff development, compliance, assessment, and continuous process improvement. The director is responsible for ensuring prospective students and families receive timely, accurate, personalized, and student-centered information and service from initial inquiry through matriculation.

The director develops and maintains strong campus and external partnerships and collaborates with academic units, Financial Aid, University Scholarships, the Registrar, Orientation, Marketing and Communications, student success units, Institutional Research, Information Technology, high schools, community colleges, counselors, advisors, alumni, and other partners. The director is responsible for developing and overseeing programming and disseminating timely and accurate information to high school counselors, community college advisors, and Cat Eyes Alumni members to support recruitment, referral, and enrollment goals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage students, families, counselors, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and technology skills related to admissions operations and enrollment management.
• Ability to explain complex higher education concepts clearly and market the institution effectively.
• Strong interpersonal, public speaking, writing, collaboration, multitasking, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to high standards, quality service, and professional ethics.

Minimum Qualifications

• Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support
• Master's degree from a regionally accredited university
• Extensive college admission experience (a minimum of five years) including increasingly complex responsibilities in leadership positions
• Strategic recruitment expertise with demonstrated success in meeting enrollment targets
• Demonstrated experience developing recruitment strategies, yield initiatives, and lead-generation partnerships

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior leadership experience in undergraduate admissions, enrollment management, or a closely related area.
• Experience using admissions CRM and student information systems, such as Slate and Banner.
• Active involvement in state, regional, or national admissions/enrollment organizations.
• Experience representing an institution at recruitment events, professional meetings, and system-level meetings.

Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week 40 Number of Months Per Year 12

Posting Text

Open Date 08/18/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

To complete the application process, please include a cover letter, your current resume, and a list of at least three professional references with their complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact: Mike Langford at malangford@email.wcu.edu

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Resume
• List of references

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Do you require sponsorship?
• Yes
• No