Director of Admissions

JOB TITLE: Director of Admissions

DEPARTMENT: Enrollment Management & Student Success

REPORTS TO: VPEMSS

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

DIRECT REPORTS: Recruiters

Job Summary

The Director of Admissions serves as the leader for the Admissions Department. This role involves implementing a comprehensive strategy for student enrollment management (SEM) as defined by the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services (EMSS). The Director will facilitate and support the seminary's efforts to recruit and admit applicants, as well as retain prospective students in both certificate and degree programs.

Essential Function and Responsibilities

• Support the Admissions function within EMSS under the supervision of the VP.
• Implement the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan in collaboration with the VPEMSS.
• Supervise recruiters and lead the daily operations of student recruitment and admissions.
• Identify prospective students and build a strong pool of inquirers.
• Partner with the VPEMSS to design and implement systematic processes that move inquirers to applicants, applicants to completed files, and admitted students to matriculation.
• Coordinate and oversee Discovery Weekend events at least twice each year.
• Collaborate with other departments on all matters affecting the admission of new students.
• Execute the goals and strategies of the VPEMSS related to Annual Institutional Effectiveness for Admissions and assist with year-end reporting.
• Serve as a voting staff member of ADCOM, representing the EM team by preparing agendas, complete data sets, and individual applicant reports, and by resourcing faculty for admissions decisions.
• Work with the VPEMSS on merit awards in consultation with ADCOM.
• Develop recommended admissions budgets in consultation with the VPEMSS to ensure SEM goals are met.
• Master the Student Information System (Campus Café) and ensure effective use of the student database.
• Oversee recruitment into all certificate and degree programs and staff the Admissions Commission’s review of applicants.

Special Requirements and Skills

• Demonstrated strong leadership and organizational abilities.
• Ability to translate vision into action and to organize and prioritize work effectively.
• Capacity to participate in and provide leadership within broader Christian vocational conversations in the church and in theological education.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to engage the public in a warm, professional, and effective manner.
• Comfort and effectiveness in public speaking and group presentations.
• Ability to make wise, informed recommendations to the Admissions Committee.
• Knowledge of Presbyterian and Methodist ecclesiology and ordination processes.
• Basic proficiency with computers and software, including Windows, word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs.
• Understanding of the academic environment and institutional culture.
• Ability to work independently as a self-starter.
• Willingness and ability to travel as required.
• Commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Agility in managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to analyze data and summarize information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to make sound decisions even when information is incomplete or evolving.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education: Master of Divinity preferred; a master’s degree from an accredited theological school is required.

Experience: Leadership and management experience in an ecclesial setting required; experience in academic settings preferred.

Requirements/Skills: Strong leadership and organizational skills; ability to translate vision into action and to organize and prioritize work effectively.