Description

The Office of Admission at Oglethorpe University, a liberal arts college in Atlanta, GA, seeks a collaborative, proactive, patient, detail-oriented, and forward-thinking person for the Director of Admission. Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Director of Admission is responsible for planning, developing, organizing, supervising, and evaluating all aspects of recruitment, admission, and yield for Oglethorpe University. The Director will leverage empathy, creativity, data analytics, and a broad range of strategies to achieve and surpass enrollment goals. The Director will also be a key campus collaborator and directly contribute to efforts that further the achievement of the goals in the Oglethorpe University Strategic Plan and the 3-to-5-year plan for strategic enrollment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the Office of Admission, including establishing counselor travel and territory management; creating and monitoring staff progress towards enrollment goals; strategically awarding scholarships to achieve enrollment and financial targets; and ensuring a welcoming office environment and staffing for students, families, guests, and colleagues.
• Inspire, recruit, retain, and manage 3 to 4 full-time staff and develop them to maximize their capabilities, provide strong supervision and exceptional service, and foster a culture of belonging, thriving, and delivering results.
• Evaluate and, as appropriate, redesign aspects of the recruitment and admission process to implement more effective and efficient initiatives and leverage best practices to identify additional ways to reach various target groups, grow existing populations, and identify new referral sources.
• Contribute and support the efforts of the Vice President of Enrollment Management to implement an ambitious enrollment management model as part of their senior leadership team.

• Collaborate with the Director of Enrollment Operations to ensure compliance with all federal, state, organizational, and institutional policies and procedures in the admission of students and serve as backup to the operations team in understanding processes and workflows for all enrollment systems as needed.

• Compile and analyze various reports on demographic trends, the health of the applicant funnel, yield rates, and other relevant information to support data-informed decisions regarding recruiting, admissions, financial aid, persistence, and retention. May also write and edit reports at the request of the Vice President.
• Hire, train, mentor, and supervise student Admission Ambassadors to support office processes and campus tours, ensuring high professionalism and service orientation.
• Direct staff to ensure the timely mailing of admit and deposit packages and other promotional items.
• Conduct the disciplinary review as part of the admission process, including consulting with Student Rights and Responsibilities and other relevant constituents.
• Interact regularly with Student Success, Student Affairs, and the Athletics Department on issues related to enrollment, academic standards, disciplinary records, athletic eligibility, and admissions criteria.
• Strategically manage and optimize the Recruit budget for the greatest impact.
• Oversee the development and implementation of programs and initiatives involving university faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and current students in recruiting, helping to increase matriculation.
• Cultivate relationships with high school counselors and enrollment managers to increase external knowledge of Oglethorpe, including hosting on-campus events to increase brand awareness among high school leaders.
• Serve as a primary or secondary reader for certain populations and make final decisions on specific applications.
• Provide backup coverage for admission counselor travel or application reading as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 6 or more years of progressive, professional experience in higher education, with at least 3 years in admissions or enrollment management.
• Excellent communication (verbal, written, and digital) and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the ability to think intentionally on the various ways in which the admission process and campus is experienced differently by students from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of liberal arts admissions and the ability to effectively capitalize on appropriate opportunities to expand Oglethorpe’s attractiveness as a first-choice institution.

• Appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and respect for a diverse organizational environment, including students, faculty, and staff of many social, economic, cultural, ideological, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to multitask, delegate, and hold individuals accountable, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality experience for students and families that reflects the core values of Oglethorpe University.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fluid environment, prioritize goals, and independently manage multiple competing priorities while meeting deadlines and specific KPIs.
• Strong people management and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated commitment to ethical, transparent, collaborative, and optimistic leadership.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information.
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or related field.
• Previous management experience of full-time staff.
• Familiarity using SLATE or other CRM.

Additional Information:

• This is a full-time, 12-month position with moderate travel.
• A valid driver’s license and personal automobile are required.
• Working some evenings and weekends required.
• Some heavy lifting is required.
• Position tasks are generally required to be performed in person. Work from home options may be granted at supervisors’ discretion. Oglethorpe University reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Application screening will begin immediately and continue until the position is closed.