Description
The Director of Graduate Enrollment (DGE) will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of strategies for graduate enrollment growth at the University. The director will be a key member of the leadership team for the enrollment and marketing division.
This position will oversee distributed graduate admissions functions across the University and collaborate with various offices to develop pipelines for recruitment and create consistent best practices regarding billing, course scheduling, student records, financial aid administration, and other administrative aspects of our graduate programs.
The director will also work closely with the marketing department to ensure that sound marketing and communications strategies are launched to both sustain and grow graduate programs at the University.
This is an essential on-ground position that will interface with all areas of the University and build connections in the community to ensure that UE strengthens its graduate portfolio and grows graduate enrollment.
Candidate Qualifications:
We seek a candidate who is a self-starter, has high autonomy, and is able to think strategically as part of the Enrollment Management Leadership team. Candidates should be adept in navigating University policies and providing recommendations that will help grow enrollment. We seek a candidate who is a team player, while appreciating the individual nature of the position and work assigned. Culturally speaking, we desire a candidate who has a good sense of humor, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to work with a broad range of constituents including students, faculty, Board members, and community partners.
Skills and Experience Required:
- At least 5 years of experience in higher education with an emphasis on admission/recruiting.
- Excels in both strategic and operational planning.
- SIS/CRM experience - knowledge of Slate preferred.
- Experience in developing and managing budgets.
- Development of new programs/divisions/verticals.
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
While the work of the DGE differs across programs, depending on the size of the program and its unique administrative practices, the duties and responsibilities described below are ones that the DGE must fulfill:
General Administration
- Serves as the central source of graduate admission information within the program; interprets and enforces relevant program policies.
- Conducts regular meetings with faculty and staff to maintain open communication.
- Attends weekly enrollment management leadership strategy meetings.
- Serves on the Strategic Enrollment Management steering committee and helps to shape graduate enrollment growth plans for the institution.
- Leads a standing committee of representative program faculty and administrators who review all substantive matters relevant to program admission, and who advise and assist the Director in decision-making, to include, for example:
- Conducting strategic and budgetary planning for graduate admission.
- Ensuring that program policies regarding graduate admission are fair, effective, and consistently applied.
Graduate Recruitment
- Employs strategies to recruit a diverse cohort of talented students, including:
- Developing print and/or digital program content for graduate programs.
- Maintaining up-to-date, clear, and comprehensive program websites.
- Contacting colleagues at peer and feeder institutions to inquire about potential applicants, and liaising with various academic divisions.
- Developing partnerships with businesses and organizations in the region to build pipelines and support for graduate programs.
- Works with departments to coordinate recruitment efforts, arrange campus visits and ensure appropriate and up-to-date information and materials are provided to prospective students for recruitment visits and/or interviews.
- Engages directly with prospective students, answering inquiries regarding graduate programs and referring inquiries to specific colleagues as warranted.
Application and Admission
- Oversees the graduate student application process, facilitating prompt review of applications and financial awards.
- Assigns reviewers for the application files and determines an appropriate review structure via Slate or the relevant admission platform for the program.
- Ensures that all admission decisions are rendered in a timely manner and meet University and program criteria and deadlines.
- Consults with Deans/VPEM before admitting students when the file is atypical, e.g., test scores, GPA, and/or research experience is below typical average.
- Confirms that the number of offers awarded will yield results within the program’s capacity and goals.
- Collaborates to on-board and manage staff involved in admission, ensuring that admission data are entered correctly, technology is used effectively, and correspondence with applicants is professional and timely.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry 25 pounds or more, on occasion.
- Ability to sustain computer work for long periods of time.
Work Distribution
% of Total Working Time/Work Tasks and Responsibilities
25% - Daily oversight of admission processes
20% - Developing and implementing strategies for growth
15% - Database management
15% - Building connections for recruitment
10% - Hiring, training, and mentoring personnel
10% - Developing reports and presentations
5% - Managing budget
The statements made here are not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, and skills required for this position. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.