Dean of Admissions

Salary : $117,068.00 - $196,567.00 Annually
Location : Main Campus, Moraga, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Division: Student Experience & Enrollment Management (SEEM) Division
Department: Admissions Department
Opening Date: 08/03/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Job Title

Dean of Admissions

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Student Experience and Enrollment Management, the Dean of Admissions provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for undergraduate admissions, including first-year, transfer, and international student recruitment and enrollment. The Dean develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive enrollment strategies that advance the College's financial, academic, and diversity goals while ensuring a student-centered admissions experience. The position provides leadership for admissions operations, staff development, enrollment communications, data-informed decision-making, and collaborative partnerships that support institutional enrollment objectives.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate comprehensive recruitment and enrollment strategies designed to achieve the College's short- and long-term enrollment, academic quality, financial, and diversity objectives.
• Provide strategic oversight of the admissions, application review, and enrollment processes to ensure efficiency, regulatory compliance, and an exceptional prospective student experience.
• Review, evaluate, and recommend enhancements to admissions policies, practices, and selection criteria based on institutional priorities, enrollment trends, and best practices.
• Create informed policies and procedures to ensure excellent student services throughout the enrollment cycle.
• Hire, mentor and supervise a professional staff, creating and fostering an atmosphere of facilitating professional opportunities to improve individual capability and managing performance against job accountabilities, department goals and established SMC, campus and department policies and procedures.
• Develop, assign, and evaluate recruitment territories and staff assignments to maximize enrollment opportunities and operational effectiveness.
• Plan and conduct regular staff meetings.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with high schools, community colleges, community-based organizations, educational agencies, and other external partners that strengthen student recruitment and enrollment pipelines.
• Align institutions to build student pipelines through these organizations.
• Represent SMC at educational fairs and conferences, high schools and community colleges in support of student recruitment.
• Build out a communication plan for prospective student applicants, parents and advisors, to facilitate the admissions process.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop and implement integrated print, digital, web, and social media recruitment campaigns that effectively communicate the College's value proposition.
• Plan and collaborate with campus partners to enhance and execute recruitment and yield plans and strategies to ensure student quality, diversity, and revenue goals are met.
• Evaluate activities and strategies for effectiveness and return on investment.
• Analyze enrollment data, recruitment outcomes, market trends, and return-on-investment metrics to make strategic, data-informed recommendations that improve enrollment performance and operational effectiveness.
• Provide reports and analyses to campus partners, as requested.
• Other duties as assigned

Experience and Qualifications
Education: Master's degree from an accredited institution in Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership, Business Administration, Public Administration, Student Affairs, Communications, Marketing, or a closely related field required.

Experience: Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in admissions, enrollment management, or higher education administration, including at least six (6) years of progressively responsible leadership experience overseeing admissions operations, recruitment strategy, enrollment planning, staff supervision, and budget or resource management.

Skills/Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of admissions, enrollment management, student recruitment, and higher education best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic enrollment management initiatives.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to analyze enrollment data, market trends, and performance metrics to support strategic decision-making.
• Knowledge of enrollment technologies, CRM systems (including Slate), and student information systems.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to establish collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, community organizations, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, coach, and develop professional staff.
• Ability to interpret and apply institutional policies, higher education regulations, and admissions best practices while exercising sound professional judgment.
• Knowledge of budget planning, resource allocation, and operational management principles.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively to changing institutional needs while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Slate CRM, data analysis tools, and related enrollment technologies.

Licenses & Certifications:

N/A
Application Review & Recruitment Timeline

This position is part of a continuous recruitment and will remain open until filled. The first review of applications will begin on September 1, 2026. To be considered in the initial review, please submit your application before this date.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place during the week of September 14, 2026.

Additional application materials may be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Anticipated Hiring Range

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $160,000 to $170,000). Placement is expected to be within this range based on qualifications and experience.
Supplemental Information

Please upload your responses to the following questions as a separate document along with your resume. Use clear, specific examples from your experience, including your role, actions taken, and outcomes where applicable. Responses will be used to evaluate your qualifications and fit for the position.

1. Please describe your experience developing and implementing a strategic recruitment plan for first-year and/or transfer students. What goals were you trying to achieve, what strategies did you implement, and what were the results?
2. Describe your leadership philosophy and your experience supervising admissions professionals. How have you coached, mentored, and developed staff to improve individual performance and achieve recruitment goals?
3. Tell us about a time you built or strengthened relationships with high schools, community colleges, or other educational partners to improve student recruitment. What approach did you take, and what outcomes were achieved?
4. Provide an example of how you collaborated with campus departments or institutional partners to improve the recruitment or enrollment experience for prospective students. What challenges did you encounter, and how did you build consensus?
5. Describe a time you used enrollment data, market trends, or performance metrics to adjust your recruitment strategy or improve enrollment outcomes. What information did you analyze, and how did it influence your decision-making?
6. This position requires balancing multiple priorities while leading an admissions team and representing the College externally. Describe a situation where you successfully managed competing priorities while maintaining strong customer service and achieving organizational goals.

Saint Mary's College of California Employee Benefits Guide
Saint Mary's College of California provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits program designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of eligible faculty and staff.

This Benefits Guide provides a general overview of available programs. It is not a contract and does not modify plan documents, insurance policies, or official College policies. In the event of any discrepancy, official plan documents and College policies govern.
Health Insurance
The College offers a range of medical plan options to allow employees to select coverage that best meets their individual and family needs. Plan offerings may include:

• PPO medical plans
• HMO medical plans
• High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP), where applicable

Specific carriers and plan designs are outlined in the annual open enrollment materials.
Eligible Dependents
Eligible dependents may include:

• A legally married spouse
• A state-registered domestic partner
• Qualifying children up to age 26

Dependent eligibility is subject to plan terms and required documentation.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Saint Mary's College offers employees the opportunity to participate in pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts, which may include:

• Health Care FSA - for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses
• Dependent Care FSA - for eligible childcare or dependent care expenses

Annual contribution limits are established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Life Insurance
The College provides employer-paid basic life insurance coverage for eligible employees. Additional voluntary life insurance options may be available, including:

• Basic Term Life
• Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Optional Employee Life Insurance
• Optional Dependent Life Insurance
• Optional AD&D coverage

Coverage levels, eligibility, and enrollment details are outlined in plan materials.
Dental & Vision Insurance
Eligible employees may enroll in dental and vision coverage. In some cases, dental and vision plans may be elected independently of medical coverage, providing flexibility based on individual needs.

Plan details, network information, and coverage summaries are provided during enrollment.
Disability Benefits
Saint Mary's College provides disability coverage designed to protect income in the event of a qualifying illness or injury. Benefits may include:

• Short-Term Disability (STD)
• Long-Term Disability (LTD)

Eligibility and benefit amounts are determined according to plan documents.
Retirement Benefits
Saint Mary's College offers retirement benefits to support long-term financial planning. Eligible employees may participate in:

• A defined contribution retirement plan
• Employer contributions in accordance with College policy
• Voluntary employee pre-tax and/or Roth contributions, subject to IRS limits

Plan details, vesting schedules, and eligibility requirements are outlined in official retirement plan documents.

Employees are encouraged to review plan materials carefully and consult with financial advisors as needed to fully understand retirement options.
Additional Benefits & Campus Resources
As part of the Saint Mary's College community, faculty and staff may also enjoy:

• Tuition Assistance Programs
• Access to campus fitness and wellness programs
• Access to the College library and the Hearst Art Gallery
• Discounts at the campus bookstore and dining services
• Access to cultural events and campus activities
• Community partnerships and local discounts in the Lamorinda area