Assistant Director of Admissions

ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Assistant Director of Admissions to join our team.

The salary range for this position: $65,000.00 - 70,000.00

Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Reporting to the associate vice president, Undergraduate Admissions, the assistant director of Admissions is responsible for the recruitment of a diverse population of art and design students. This includes presenting the College’s programs and philosophy of education to prospective students, families, and teachers, through presentations at high schools, community colleges, representation at college fairs, transfer fairs, and/or portfolio days and building relationships. The incumbent will meet with students to counsel on the application process and assess the student's portfolio of work as it pertains to our highly specialized undergraduate majors. This position is assigned to a caseload of prospective students and is charged with both maintaining strategic communications with them and encouraging them to become applicants when they meet the College's requirements. Travel is extensive between August–February and weekend and evening work is also required.

This is a full-time position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as defined by the department The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed hybrid with the expectation of at least 3 days in the office or required as a condition of employment. The demands of this work may include weekends or evenings. The college reserves the right to modify schedules as needed to meet the business needs with appropriate notice. Domestic travel is required. The position requires flexible hours to accommodate department needs and programs, including nights and weekends.

Essential Functions

Recruitment Activities — 50%

• Give presentations on the College to groups in high school and community college art classrooms and to groups on campus; assigned territories will include domestic regions and might include international territories as well; Responsible for planning and executing all assigned local and out-of-town travel to visit promising schools as well as booking and conducting virtual visits as appropriate
• Represent the College at events such as Portfolio Days, college fairs, transfer days and other recruitment events for prospective students
• Become versed in the curricula and portfolio requirements for each major as well as in general financial aid and transfer processes
• Assist with planning, coordination, and execution of major-specific or general recruitment processes and related admissions activities for assigned majors and territories. This might include, but is not limited to, Open House, Accepted Student events, National Portfolio Day, special tours, community events, out-of-town recruitment events, and virtual and in-person workshops, events and sessions.
• Contribute to the development of communication plans for various prospective student constituencies
• Provide information to tour groups and conduct campus tours of both Hillside and South Campuses
• Research art and design programs throughout the country/world and cultivate relationships with art, media, and design teachers and college advising centers
• Work with Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management to maintain a safe and secure work environment for students, faculty, staff and guests

Counseling and Portfolio Reviews — 45%

• Counsel prospective students on the College’s admissions requirements, curriculum, financial aid policies, and transfer credit policies, as well as on career options within the visual arts
• Evaluate students’ portfolios and provide advice on their readiness to apply; offer a plan of action for students who are not ready to apply
• Responsible for actively managing a caseload of prospective students and applicants by way of developing communication plans for various prospective student constituencies and conducting follow-up with students by phone, email, video and CRM integrated SMS text message.
• Provide continuous support to students through all aspects of the admissions process from inquiry through enrollment
• Participate in Admissions reviews as part of the Admissions Committee and evaluate applicant essays

Non-Essential Job Functions — 5%

• Serve on educational or college-wide committees, work groups, task forces and/or councils
• Represent ArtCenter at outside events/conferences
• Maintain memberships and active involvement in applicable professional organizations
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in studio art, industrial design, marketing, or related field from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2 years of experience working within an office setting
• Ability to plan, organize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines; ability to work effectively both independently and within groups
• Strong oral and written communication skills to work effectively with ArtCenter staff, student and vendors, and maintain contacts/relations with high school and community college instructors, advisors, and prospective students
• Public speaking experience and comfort connecting with diverse audiences
• Effective counseling and listening skills
• Commitment to the importance of the visual arts
• A commitment to DEIAB and culture, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within ArtCenter’s diverse communities
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office and CRM software to manage an active calendar, execute assigned tasks and manage personal workflow to contribute to a larger team effort
• Ability to conduct research and utilize data meaningfully
• Ability to travel domestically within the US, work weekends and evening hours staffing events and conducting recruitment
• Must have valid driver's license and reliable vehicle; use of vehicle required for local travel

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in studio art, industrial design, marketing, or related field from an accredited college or university
• Prior experience within an educational or non-profit organization
• Prior experience working in an Admissions office
• Prior experience using Slate CRM software
• Prior experience recruiting and counseling prospective students
• Prior experience travelling in a professional capacity

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

This is a full-time position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as defined by the department The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed hybrid with the expectation of at least 3 days in the office or required as a condition of employment. The demands of this work may include weekends or evenings. The college reserves the right to modify schedules as needed to meet the business needs with appropriate notice. Domestic travel is required. The position requires flexible hours to accommodate department needs and programs, including nights and weekends.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with frequent interruptions and distractions; extended periods of time viewing computer monitor; interactions with other individuals. Due to the nature of the work environment, there is regular exposure to fumes, dust and noise.

Physical: The position is generally sedentary. Employees sit most of the time, but may walk or stand for brief periods of time. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight (up to 20 pounds); to operate modern office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Travel by car and airline and overnight travel is required.

Vision: Must be able to have the visual capacity to perform activities such as preparing and reading reports, viewing a computer terminal and other normal office work with or without correction.

Hearing: Must be able to communicate effectively in the course of normal office communication or exchange ideas with or without correction.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this job; they do not purport to describe all functions. Employees may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions may be changed from time to time as necessary.

Diversity Statement
ArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging not only in vision but in practice. Our path forward is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about difference while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status and political viewpoint.

Equal Opportunity Employer
ArtCenter is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyle), color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices), sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer, or a record or history of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and genetic characteristics), genetic information, request for family care or medical leave, age (over 40), criminal background (Fair Chance Act), reproductive health decision-making, off-duty and off-premises cannabis use, or any other actual or perceived characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including without limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, learning and professional development, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of ArtCenter. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Employee Experience and Engagement at (626) 396-2470.

Applicant Rights (Prior Cannabis Use)
ArtCenter will not request information from an applicant relating to the applicant’s prior use of cannabis. ArtCenter will not use information obtained from a criminal history about an applicant or employee’s prior cannabis use, unless ArtCenter is permitted to consider that information under applicable law.

Employment At-Will
All employment with ArtCenter is for an unspecified term and is “at-will.” Employees are free to resign at any time, with or without reason, and with or without prior notice. Similarly, ArtCenter has the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. This “at-will” employment, which includes the College’s right to transfer, discipline, demote, or change the conditions of employment with or without cause and with or without prior notice, cannot be modified, amended or waived by any oral or implied agreement, and may be modified or altered only by an express individualized written employment agreement signed by both the employee and the College president

ArtCenter Employees have a Mandatory Duty to Report
All employees who know or have reason to know of allegations or acts that violate ArtCenter’s Title IX Policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking shall promptly inform the Director, Title IX Compliance and Programs or designee, or the Associate Dean of Students or designee. Faculty, who have a mandatory duty to report, are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested their name remain confidential.

Pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), all employees who know of or have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect involving alleged victims under age 18 shall promptly inform local law enforcement or the county welfare department.