Associate Director, Student Recruitment

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Admissions - Recruitment provides strategic leadership for the university’s recruitment efforts across freshman, graduate, and international student populations. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing comprehensive recruitment and yield strategies to meet institutional enrollment goals. The Associate Director supervises and develops Assistant Directors, ensuring effective execution of recruitment initiatives and alignment with university priorities.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive recruitment strategy and annual plan that aligns with institutional enrollment goals across freshman, graduate, and international student populations; ensure effective execution through Assistant Directors and recruitment staff.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for Assistant Directors by establishing clear expectations, monitoring progress toward goals, and fostering a high-performing and collaborative team environment.
• Utilize Slate to monitor funnel performance, assess the effectiveness of recruitment initiatives, and adjust strategies to meet enrollment targets.
• Recommend and implement improvements to recruitment communications, marketing strategies, and student engagement efforts to effectively articulate the university’s value proposition and attract prospective students aligned with enrollment goals.
• Partner with academic colleges, graduate programs, international programs, marketing, and student services to align recruitment messaging, improve yield strategies, and enhance the prospective student experience from inquiry through enrollment.
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for recruitment events, travel, special programs, and key initiatives; ensure alignment with enrollment priorities, efficient resource utilization, and consistent execution across student populations.
  
  

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 4 years of progressive recruitment, admissions, and/or higher education experience required.
• Other relevant leadership experience may substitute.
  
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Leadership, Business Management, Higher Education, or similar preferred.
• Prior management and leadership experience preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of Slate or other CRM systems preferred.
  
  

Supplemental Information

Key Competencies:

• Leadership & Team Development: Ability to lead, coach, and develop professional staff, including managing through others and fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Data-Informed Strategy: Ability to analyze data to inform strategy, monitor performance, and adjust tactics to meet enrollment goals.
• Strategic Communication & Messaging: Ability to communicate effectively across various audiences through clear, persuasive written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Judgement & Decision-Making: Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgement in handling sensitive student information, personnel matters, and organizational priorities.
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Engagement: Ability to build strong working relationships across divisions (academic colleges, graduate programs, international offices, marketing, etc.) to support recruitment goals.
• Adaptability & Innovation: Demonstrated flexibility and a proactive mindset in responding to changing enrollment trends, technologies, and student needs.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift, load, and transport recruitment materials, displays, and other equipment up to 35 pounds.
  
  

Job Conditions:

• Ability to travel and work a varied schedule with flexible hours, including some weekends and evenings.
• Enrollment in and successful completion of MGMT 3311 Leadership Essentials within the first six months of employment.
  
  

Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer

Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.

This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code

• 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.