SUMMARY: 

As an integral contributor to the Office of Admission, the Admission Counselor is responsible for recruitment, selection and enrollment of a talented and diverse incoming class each year. The Admission Counselor manages all aspects of recruitment within an assigned geographic territory, plans, implements, and assesses admission activities and programs, and represents the University to a broad and diverse audience. This energetic professional will have the opportunity to learn the strategies, logistics and nuances of highly selective college admission through the mentorship of senior professionals in a progressive and highly collaborative environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

General Recruitment and Admission Responsibilities 

• Contribute to planning sessions by infusing perspectives, experiences and opinions that will inform strategic decisions. As a result of planning sessions, direct the creation, implementation, and assessment of new recruitment and admission initiatives which reflect the University’s mission and values and support the recruitment, admission, and enrollment of a talented and diverse student body.
• Build relationships with prospective students and serve as the primary point of contact for designated geographic territory.
• Cultivate and sustain collaborative relationships with secondary school counselors, independent counselors, and community-based counselors to encourage top prospects to consider Richmond as a first choice. Sustain long-term productive contact with these constituencies throughout the enrollment cycle through various outreach channels.
• Serve as an Admission Committee member who reviews applications, as part of a holistic and contextual review process, and makes recommendations for admission, scholars programs and scholarships.
• Serve as a representative of the University to a wide and diverse audience at college fairs, high schools, information sessions, and regional receptions. Create and deliver informational and compelling messages that address the educational needs of various groups. Develop and innovate new presentation concepts and ideas as appropriate for evolving audiences.

Prospect Management Responsibilities

Within an assigned region, the admission counselor performs these duties with autonomy and independence.

• Develop expertise for designated geographic territory using various data to determine the recruitment goals and strategies for the region.
• Establish short and long-range prospect management goals and action plans for the region. Develop and implement strategies and tactics to identify, expand and strengthen potential prospective engagement and interest in the region.
• Determine which recruitment activities are most effective for which market sector and develop a recruitment plan with justifications for recommended recruitment activities; manage the regional travel budget for expenditures associated with recruitment activities; assess annual outcomes against enrollment goals.
• Plan, implement and assess admission activities related to the recruitment and yielding of prospective students in assigned geographic territory, including planning all travel logistical arrangements and coordinating school visits, regional receptions, counselor workshops, and/or off-campus interviews.
• Interview and counsel students to determine the students’ educational interests and needs and align those interests and needs with the attributes and strengths of the University.
• Utilize relational databases to facilitate and assess recruitment activities. Annually review, revise and develop year-end reports for regional prospect management, and recruitment activities.

Additional Project Responsibilities

• Assist and gain experience with various admission projects, including communications and marketing, diversity outreach, event planning, data and processes, and/or other areas as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Understanding of and appreciation for selective college admission process.
• Ability to clearly and compellingly articulate the strengths of a liberal arts education and residential university experience.
• Highly self-motivated and independent critical thinker and worker.
• Advanced problem-solving capabilities, creativity, and strong work ethic.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks concurrently coupled with excellent organizational skills and highest standards for accuracy.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information.
• Persuasive oral communication skills, including excellent public speaking skills.
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting access to selective university admission for historically underserved student populations.
• Experience in supporting inclusion and a sense of belonging within a diverse community of students, faculty and staff.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products required.
• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Must be able to lift boxes of up to 30 pounds.
• Must be willing and able to travel up to six weeks each semester.
• Required: Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to produce a driving record with a minimum of 3 years of driving history in good standing

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• Experience as an admission officer, student assistant, tour guide, or student ambassador in a university admission office is preferred.

WORK HOURS:

• Full-time, in-person, exempt position 
• Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 7.75 hrs./day; 38.75 hrs./week; evening and weekend hours are required

SALARY STRUCTURE:
Pay Grade 5 (Hiring Range $39,083.00 to $51,792.00 annually)

ABOUT UR:

At the University of Richmond, we’re creative, inclusive, and determined. We’re Spiders, and our mission is to create positive change in the UR community and beyond. Located minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond (www.richmond.edu) blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. There’s only one place like Richmond.

UR is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, our academic community welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. EOE