Executive Director, Graduate & Continuing Studies

CBIZ Higher Education search practice is proud to partner with Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) in their search for the next Executive Director, Graduate and Continuing Studies. Founded in 1907 by committed educators and church leaders, Olivet Nazarene University has led the call of providing an “Education with a Christian Purpose”. Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois—just south of Chicago—ONU offers students immersive learning across nearly 200 areas of study. The university enrolls approximately 3,700 students and features a comprehensive curriculum that prepares graduates for diverse careers. Graduates leave with a deep understanding of their field and a unique perspective shaped by Christian values, boasting a 96% career outcome rate.

Olivet is an unapologetic denominational university in the Wesleyan tradition, deeply aligned with the Church of the Nazarene. Understanding and embracing this core identity is critical for the institution and its leadership. ONU is committed to fostering an environment where the strongest scholarship and deepest piety are entirely compatible. Through a culture of discipleship and shared virtue, ONU asks all employees to bear witness to their saving faith and adhere to a lifestyle covenant, which includes maintaining an alcohol-free campus to positively influence students.

POSITION SUMMARY

This person will lead the Graduate and Online Programs in its strategic direction, daily operations, and recruitment and marketing efforts. As part of the enrollment management leadership team they will report directly to the Vice President of Enrollment Management. This individual works to establish a positive and innovative culture; sets department policies, priorities and measurable actions. The Executive Director of GCS makes recommendations and executes plans for creating and strengthening an effective recruitment culture and spirit of advocacy for enrollment priorities across the Enrollment Management division, the extended campus community, and among the university’s constituents. The Executive Director of GCS’s primary objective is to bring increase to the GCS programs.

Key responsibilities

• Will oversee the Director of Recruitment for GCS and the GCS recruitment team.
• Ensure that the GCS program Start goals and revenue goals are met.
• Help to establish and oversee GCS financial aid strategies that support enrollment and revenue goals.
• Monitor and maintain budgets with oversight from the VPEM.
• Work directly with our marketing team to ensure the messaging for our programs is effective.
• Create an effective and distinguishable messaging platform that articulates Olivet’s unique value and sales proposition.
• Oversee all aspects of matriculation strategies (prospect-lead-application-acceptance-deposit-enrollment).
• Create and manage accountability score boards with a pulse on lead measures and the needed data and reporting systems to ensure both success and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ensure best practices with a firm understanding of emerging trends within Higher Education, the broader marketplace of continuing education and the Admissions profession.
• Attract, recruit and retain top talent by building, leading, training and inspiring the GCS admissions staff.

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred

Additional Attributes

• A lifestyle in agreement with the ONU Statement of Mission, Faith, and Lifestyle Covenant.
• Have a strong knowledge of the higher education world of graduate and continuing studies
• Understand data analysis and how to use information to guide strategies
• Create organizational structure in GCS to maximize productivity
• Work collaboratively as a part of the Enrollment Management Executive Team to advance all of the ONU admission’s goals
• Be an adaptive, enthusiastic, leader with a no holds barred tenacity to win and be able to give the credit to others for the victory
• Be a good steward of time, talent, resources and opportunity

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