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.

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 [email protected]