Director of International Admissions

Title: Director of International Admissions

Date: November 2025

FLSA Status: Exempt – Full-time, 12-month position

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Reports to: Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment

Cottey College seeks a forward-thinking, relationship-driven, and strategically minded enrollment professional to serve as the director of international admissions. This full-time, exempt position provides leadership, vision, and execution for all international recruitment and front-end admissions initiatives. The director is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and enrolling international students who are aligned with Cotteys mission, while ensuring full compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies.

The director serves as a Designated School Official (DSO), works closely with the international education coordinator and other campus stakeholders, and leads the development and implementation of a strategic plan to grow international enrollment.

Position Summary: Under the general direction of the vice president for student life and enrollment, this position oversees all aspects of international student recruitment—from lead generation through application completion and admission. This includes managing international travel, developing partnerships, overseeing articulation agreements, coordinating agency relationships, ensuring international admissions compliance, and guiding prospective students through the international admissions process. The director manages their own travel and operational budget, develops strategic enrollment pipelines, and ensures that Cotteys international admissions practices remain current, ethical, compliant, and competitive.

This individual coordinates closely with staff from student life, academic affairs, financial aid, the registrar, and enrollment management to ensure students receive timely, accurate, and complete information throughout the admissions process. The director also supports the international education coordinators onboarding and orientation efforts by ensuring students arrive with all required documentation and accurate immigration records.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and annually update a comprehensive strategic recruitment plan focused on growing and diversifying international enrollment
• Manage all aspects of international recruitment travel, including itinerary planning, budget management, relationship cultivation, and follow-up communication
• Build, maintain, and evaluate international pipelines through partnerships with agencies, schools, counselors, embassies, and educational organizations
• Maintain and expand Cotteys international articulation agreements, ensuring they remain accurate, appropriate, and strategically aligned with institutional goals
• Oversee the admissions requirements for international students, including transcripts, financial documentation, English proficiency, test scores, credential evaluations, transfer credit materials, and all other application components
• Lead communication efforts with prospective and admitted international students, including personalized outreach, automated communication strategies, and collaboration with the associate director of enrollment communication and database management
• Monitor, interpret, and apply international admissions policies, standards, and best practices; recommend updates to improve access, integrity, and compliance
• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and ensure full compliance with federal regulations related to F-1 international student enrollment, including SEVIS record management, documentation accuracy, and reporting
• Guide campus partners on international admissions trends, student needs, compliance issues, and recruitment opportunities
• Evaluate international credentials and make admission recommendations in accordance with institutional guidelines
• Manage their own operational and travel budget, ensuring responsible fiscal planning and prioritization
• Collaborate with coaches, faculty, and campus departments to support prospective international student experiences, both virtual and in-person
• Track and analyze international recruitment data, conversion metrics, market trends, and funnel movement; provide regular reporting to the vice president for student life and enrollment
• Maintain accurate customer relationship management system (CRM) and SEVIS records to support application processing and compliance
• Represent Cottey College at international fairs, conferences, agency visits, school presentations, and virtual recruitment events
• Uphold the highest ethical standards in global recruitment, consistent with American International Recruitment Council (AIRC) and National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) guidelines
• Perform other duties as assigned to advance international enrollment at Cottey College

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong knowledge of F-1 regulations, SEVIS, and federal compliance
• Demonstrated ability to recruit and communicate effectively with international students and diverse cultural backgrounds
• Strong project management skills and the ability to independently plan and execute international travel
• Excellent communication skills—written, verbal, intercultural, and diplomatic.
• Ability to interpret academic credentials and international documentation
• Experience managing partnerships with agencies, schools, and educational organizations
• Skill in building collaborative relationships across multiple departments
• Ability to analyze data, evaluate outcomes, and make data-informed decisions
• Proficiency with CRM systems, student databases, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to manage a budget and prioritize spending strategically
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt in dynamic recruitment environments

Credentials and Experience

• Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in international admissions, global recruitment, or related areas.
• Prior experience serving as a DSO strongly preferred.
• Experience working with international agencies and articulation agreements.
• Experience with international travel and cross-cultural communication.
• Experience living, studying, or working abroad is highly desirable.

Special Requirements

• Must meet federal requirements to serve as a Designated School Official (DSO).
• Ability to travel internationally for extended periods as needed.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends during peak recruitment seasons. Ability to obtain a Class E drivers license.