Executive Director for Undergraduate Admissions (55165)

Executive Director for Undergraduate Admissions

Division: Enrollment Management
Reports To: Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategic Initiatives
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Supervises: Assistant Director of Admissions, Admissions Counselors, Transfer and International Recruitment Staff, CRM/Operations Personnel, and Administrative Support Staff

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director for Undergraduate Admissions serves as the University's lead undergraduate recruitment and admissions administrator and provides leadership for all freshman, transfer, international, dual enrollment, and special population recruitment initiatives. The Executive Director is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive recruitment and admissions strategies that advance institutional enrollment goals, strengthen the University's market presence, and support student success outcomes.

As a senior leader within the Division of Enrollment Management, the Executive Director collaborates extensively with Financial Aid, the Registrar's Office, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Athletics, Institutional Effectiveness, Advancement, and Marketing and Communications to ensure a seamless student experience from inquiry through matriculation.

The Executive Director provides leadership for undergraduate recruitment and admissions operations, enrollment forecasting, territory management, customer service standards, enrollment analytics, admissions communications, and staff development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Recruitment and Enrollment Leadership

• Develop and execute annual and multi-year undergraduate recruitment plans aligned with institutional enrollment priorities.
• Establish recruitment goals, yield targets, and enrollment projections in consultation with the Vice President.
• Analyze market trends, demographic shifts, and competitive intelligence to inform recruitment strategies.
• Lead initiatives designed to increase enrollment, diversity, academic quality, and student success.
• Provide regular enrollment updates, forecasts, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Admissions Operations

• Direct all undergraduate admissions processes from prospect generation through enrollment.
• Ensure efficient, student-centered admissions operations and service delivery.
• Oversee admissions communications, application review processes, recruitment events, and territory management.
• Maintain compliance with institutional, state, federal, accreditation, and NCAA regulations.
• Continuously evaluate and improve admissions policies, procedures, and operational effectiveness.

Enrollment Analytics and Data Strategy

• Utilize data analytics to monitor enrollment funnels, conversion rates, yield performance, and recruitment outcomes.
• Develop enrollment forecasting models and strategic reports.
• Monitor key performance indicators and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Leverage CRM technologies and enrollment management systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Leadership and Staff Development

• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate admissions personnel.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and exceptional customer service.
• Support professional development and succession planning initiatives.
• Establish clear performance expectations and measurable outcomes for admissions staff.

Campus and Community Engagement

• Represent the University at local, regional, and national recruitment events.
• Cultivate relationships with high schools, community colleges, counselors, churches, alumni, and community organizations.
• Strengthen partnerships that contribute to enrollment growth and institutional visibility.

Financial Aid and Enrollment Partnership

• Collaborate closely with the Office of Financial Aid on scholarship leveraging, financial aid communications, and enrollment yield strategies.
• Support net tuition revenue objectives through strategic enrollment planning.
• Assist in developing enrollment and scholarship models that enhance recruitment and retention outcomes.

Student Experience and Service Excellence

• Champion a student-centered recruitment and admissions experience.
• Ensure timely communication and responsiveness to prospective students and families.
• Develop initiatives that improve engagement, satisfaction, and enrollment conversion.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in admissions, recruitment, enrollment management, or higher education leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading to enrollment growth initiatives.
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing budgets.
• Strong analytical, communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems and enrollment technologies.

Preferred

• Experience at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
• Experience in financial aid leveraging and strategic enrollment planning.
• Knowledge of Jenzabar, Element451, Slate, Salesforce, or similar enrollment technologies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strategic enrollment planning and forecasting.
• Undergraduate recruitment and admissions management.
• Data-informed decision making.
• Budget oversight and resource management.
• Personnel leadership and team development.
• Public speaking and relationship management.
• Project management and operational effectiveness.
• Exceptional customer service orientation.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across institutional divisions.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The Executive Director for Undergraduate Admissions will be evaluated on:

• Achievement of undergraduate enrollment goals.
• Improvement in student yield and conversion rates.
• Recruitment territory performance and market penetration.
• Customer service and communication standards.
• Admissions processing efficiency and responsiveness.
• Staff development and team performance.
• Strategic initiative implementation.
• Contribution to institutional enrollment and net tuition revenue objectives.

SALARY RANGE

Competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Claflin University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive educational environment.