Posting Details

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

Lead Graduate Enrollment in the Heart of Washington, DC.Are you an innovative enrollment strategist ready to shape the global footprint of a premier school of international affairs? Do you thrive at the intersection of data-informed recruitment, international collaboration, and dynamic team management?

The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Director, Graduate Admissions and International Partnerships to lead our graduate recruitment initiatives, enrollment operations, and international institutional partnerships.

About the Role

Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Director serves as the primary strategist and operational leader for the Elliott School's graduate enrollment management unit. In this role, you will direct day-to-day admissions operations, design and execute short- and long-term recruitment strategies, manage international institutional exchange agreements, and lead application review processes.

Working closely with school leadership, academic program directors, and university offices, you will translate enrollment goals into effective recruitment tactics and deliver a high-touch prospective student experience.

Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Operations

• Directly supervise, train, and mentor a team of admissions professionals.
• Manage daily operations, assign project tasks, balance staff workloads, and maintain accurate position descriptions.
• Hire, coach, and develop staff; establish goals and expectations; manage performance; and assess future staffing needs.
• Prepare, monitor, and manage the operational and recruitment budgets for assigned work units.

Strategic Recruitment & Academic Collaboration

• Partner closely with academic program directors to clarify enrollment priorities, establish rigorous admissions standards, and align on the qualities sought in prospective students.
• Educate program directors and faculty on university admissions policies, establish clear process timelines, and manage expectations around recruitment cycles and decision deadlines.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term recruitment plans to meet target enrollment goals across all on-campus and online graduate programs.
• Coordinate with program directors, Graduate Student Services, and Undergraduate advising on combined degree programs.
• Analyze internal funnel metrics and external market trends to build effective territory management strategies and expand target applicant pools.
• Collaborate with academic program directors to evaluate recruitment strategy for existing degrees and support go-to-market plans for new program offerings.
• Work with the Assistant Dean for Executive Education and Special Initiatives to support marketing, recruitment, and admissions to executive education programs.
• Work closely with the Director, Communications and Marketing on marketing campaigns.

Admissions Operations & Cross-Functional Partnerships

• Lead key aspects of the application evaluation lifecycle, including reading files, managing review workflows, and chairing admissions committees.
• Conduct on- and off-campus presentations, information sessions, and prospective student interviews to represent the Elliott School globally and domestically.
• Partner seamlessly with Graduate Student Services to ensure a cohesive student experience from pre-enrollment to orientation, retention, and student success.
• Collaborate with University Financial Aid, University Advancement, Student Accounts, and the Registrar to streamline yield, fellowship allocation, and student onboarding processes.

Global Partnerships & International Alliances

• Manage the operational workflow of international academic partnerships, MOUs, and institutional exchange agreements with foreign universities, and research institutes.
• Coordinate with university offices to ensure international partner agreements remain compliant with university policy and deliver mutual value.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

This is a hybrid position with at least three days in the office in Washington, DC and up to two days remote. Travel approximately 10-15%

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 8 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 6 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidates will combine strategic recruitment and enrollment experience, technical fluency, and thoughtful people leadership.

• Progressive leadership experience in college or university admissions, recruitment, or enrollment management, ideally within a competitive graduate or undergraduate program.
• Demonstrated success developing and carrying out recruitment and yield strategies that supported enrollment goals.
• Experience supervising and developing admissions professionals and providing clear direction to a team. Experience leading a graduate admissions team is especially valuable.
• Ability to use enrollment data, market trends, and admissions technology-such as Slate, Banner, or comparable systems-to set priorities, guide decisions, and evaluate results.
• Experience working closely with faculty, academic leaders, and university partners on complex admissions and enrollment priorities.
• Experience with international education, institutional partnerships, or international affairs is a plus.
• An inclusive and accountable leadership approach, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate clearly and manage competing priorities in a complex university environment.

Hiring Range
$90,776.20 - $131,589.37

GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location:
Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department:
Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA)

Family
Enrollment Services

Sub-Family
Admissions

Stream
Management

Level
Level 3

Full-Time/Part-Time:
Full-Time

Hours Per Week:
40+

Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Will this job require the employee to work on site?
Yes

Employee Onsite Status
Hybrid

Telework:
Yes

Required Background Check:
Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only?
No

Posting Number:
S014395

Job Open Date:
08/10/2026

Job Close Date:

If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening
Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.