Primary Purpose:

Provides enterprise-level leadership for graduate admissions, outreach, and operations. Establishes strategic direction, performance standards, and operational frameworks to support institutional priorities, market awareness, and consistent, compliant admissions practices.

Job Category: Exempt

Hiring Range:

Pay Basis: Annually

Subject to Grant Funding? No

Essential Job Functions:

1. Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates the work of assigned procurement staff, including hiring, coaching, evaluating, and, when necessary, terminating, in accordance with university policies.

2. Leads the development and execution of multi-year graduate admissions and outreach strategies aligned with institutional goals.

3. Oversees institution-wide outreach strategy and planning to ensure consistency with institutional priorities and brand standards.

4. Develops and refines methods for evaluating outreach quality, audience alignment, resource use, and long-term effectiveness across programs.

5. Serves as a senior subject matter expert on outreach strategy, market dynamics, competitive trends, and audience engagement.

6. Provides strategic recommendations to executive leadership regarding market trends, program needs, outreach investments, and resource allocation.

7. Directs multiple teams or major functional units within graduate admissions, ensuring consistent standards, practices, service, and compliance.

8. Leads improvements in outreach strategy, communication practices, technology use, and operational efficiency.

9. Collaborates with deans, academic leaders, and institutional stakeholders on program planning, enrollment strategy, and institutional initiatives.

10. Establishes operational frameworks, policies, and standards to support consistency, compliance, and efficiency across admissions functions.

11. Supports leadership development, succession planning, and workforce strategy within admissions.

12. Develops and maintains high-level external partnerships that support institutional visibility and strategic relationships.

13. Presents accurate information about graduate programs, admissions requirements, and institutional services to external audiences using approved materials.

14. Manages and documents travel expenses accurately and in accordance with institutional policies.

15. Leads change-management initiatives related to systems, processes, and organizational structure.

16. Ensures the accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, and appropriate use of applicant and student data.

17. Represents graduate admissions on institutional committees and cross-functional leadership initiatives.

18. Completes special projects as assigned.

19. Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

Performance Expectations
Performance in this role is evaluated based on leadership, strategic planning, judgment, communication, staff development, budget stewardship, operational effectiveness, data integrity, process improvement, and compliance with institutional policies and applicable requirements.
Application, admission, enrollment, conversion, yield, and financial aid information may be used for institutional planning and assessment. Performance evaluations, compensation decisions, bonuses, promotions, and other employment actions shall not be based directly or indirectly on enrollment or financial aid outcomes.

Job Requirements:

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Knowledge:
1. Advanced knowledge of graduate admissions, outreach, enrollment planning, and applicant service practices.
2. Advanced knowledge of market research, audience analysis, competitive trends, and data-informed planning.
3. Advanced knowledge of admissions policies, Title IV requirements, confidentiality standards, and regulatory requirements.
4. Advanced knowledge of leadership, performance management, workforce planning, and change management.
5. Technology and Data - Advanced knowledge of CRM, student information, reporting, and digital communication systems used in admissions operations.

Skills:
1. Skill in establishing vision, priorities, standards, and long-term direction for admissions and outreach functions.
2. Skill in evaluating market information, operational data, institutional needs, and risk to support sound decisions.
3. Skill in presenting information clearly and professionally to senior leaders, employees, external partners, and other stakeholders.
4. Skill in building alignment across academic, administrative, marketing, financial aid, and leadership teams.
5. Skill in coaching, developing, and evaluating leaders and professional staff.
6. Skill in developing and implementing policies and standards that promote consistency and compliance.
7. Skill in allocating staff, budgets, technology, and other resources in support of institutional priorities.
8. Skill in leading improvements involving systems, processes, and organizational practices.

Abilities:
1. Ability to establish and communicate strategic direction for graduate admissions and outreach.
2. Ability to exchange information effectively with employees, institutional leaders, external partners, and other stakeholders
3. Ability to interpret complex policies, data, and market information and translate them into institutional plans and decisions.
4. Ability to identify operational, compliance, and organizational risks and determine appropriate action.
5. Ability to lead through change, competing priorities, and complex institutional relationships.
6. Ability to maintain sound judgment, objectivity, and confidentiality when addressing sensitive admissions and personnel matters.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
1. May experience extended periods of sitting and/or standing while performing job responsibilities.
2. Technology and Equipment - Must be able to use computers, telephones, mobile devices, and standard office equipment.
3. May be required to work evenings, nights, or weekends based on operational needs.
4. May be required to travel locally and/or overnight as needed to perform job responsibilities.
5. May be required to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
6. Must possess a valid driver's license and have reliable local transportation.

Required Certifications/Licensures: Valid Driver's license.

Required Education: Bachelor's degree

Major (if required:

Required Experience: Bachelor's degree and minimum of ten (10) years of admissions experience, including directly supervising employees in a higher education environment,

-OR-

Master's degree and minimum eight (8) years of admissions experience, including leadership responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Is this a safety sensitive position? No

Background Screening Required? No

Pre-Employment Conditions: