What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Undergraduate Recruitment position at Syracuse University?
Job Description
The Director of Undergraduate Recruitment serves as the primary relationship builder and strategic communicator for prospective students and families, creating exceptional visitor experiences that showcase the Whitman School of Management and convert interest into application and enrollment. This position provides leadership for all undergraduate recruitment initiatives, developing comprehensive plans to attract a high-quality applicant pool and meet enrollment targets aligned with Whitman 2030 goals.
The Director oversees the Whitman Visitors Center operations and manages professional and student staff to ensure every prospective student interaction reflects Whitman’s commitment to student success including campus visits, off-campus events, and digital communications. This role manages marketing and communications projects across all platforms in collaboration with others at the Whitman School and serves as the primary liaison with University Admissions for all aspects of Whitman undergraduate recruitment. The Director collaborates closely with faculty, staff, students, and alumni to create authentic engagement opportunities that help prospective students envision themselves as part of the Whitman community.
Education and Experience
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About The Syracuse Area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
The Director of Undergraduate Recruitment serves as the primary relationship builder and strategic communicator for prospective students and families, creating exceptional visitor experiences that showcase the Whitman School of Management and convert interest into application and enrollment. This position provides leadership for all undergraduate recruitment initiatives, developing comprehensive plans to attract a high-quality applicant pool and meet enrollment targets aligned with Whitman 2030 goals.
The Director oversees the Whitman Visitors Center operations and manages professional and student staff to ensure every prospective student interaction reflects Whitman’s commitment to student success including campus visits, off-campus events, and digital communications. This role manages marketing and communications projects across all platforms in collaboration with others at the Whitman School and serves as the primary liaison with University Admissions for all aspects of Whitman undergraduate recruitment. The Director collaborates closely with faculty, staff, students, and alumni to create authentic engagement opportunities that help prospective students envision themselves as part of the Whitman community.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred.
- 7 years of experience in admissions, higher education administration and customer service roles.
- Demonstrated success in managing, supervising and motivating staff.
- Communication Excellence: Exemplary written, oral, and presentation skills with ability to craft persuasive messaging for a variety of audiences including prospective students, families, counselors, and university partners.
- Collaboration and Relationship Building: Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience working effectively with individuals from various backgrounds and experiences. Exceptional ability to build relationships that instill confidence and trust.
- Recruitment Expertise: Knowledge of higher education recruitment strategies, enrollment funnel management, and best practices for attracting and converting prospective students.
- Data and Technology Proficiency: Experience with enrollment analytics and CRM platforms (Slate or Salesforce preferred); ability to track metrics, generate reports, and use data to inform strategic decisions and communicate with senior leadership in a compelling manner.
- Organizational Skills: Detail-oriented with ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain high standards in a fast-paced environment.
- Provide leadership in the development and implementation of Whitman’s undergraduate recruitment and enrollment plans to attract a high-quality applicant pool, increase program visibility, improve yield, and meet enrollment targets aligned with Whitman 2030 goals.
- Lead comprehensive recruitment programming including campus visitation events, off-campus admissions events, daily information sessions, virtual engagements, and prospective student/family consultations (that may take place during evenings and weekends as needed).
- Manage recruitment marketing and communications projects across all platforms including print materials, email campaigns, social media, direct mail, and website content in collaboration with others at the Whitman School.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing initiatives and provide feedback to inform future recruitment communications.
- Employ a data-driven approach to enrollment management, tracking and analyzing the enrollment funnel from inquiry through matriculation to assess progress toward enrollment targets, gather and analyze prospect feedback to inform recruitment strategy and communications, and compile reports that demonstrate ROI on recruitment investments and inform strategic decision-making.
- Manage the Whitman Visitors Center operations, including supervision of professional staff and student ambassadors, budget management, and ensuring excellent visitor experiences that reflect Whitman’s values and brand.
- Serve as primary liaison with University Admissions for all aspects of Whitman undergraduate recruitment including coordinating communications to prospective students, participating in application review and interviewing processes, and ensuring alignment with university-wide recruitment initiatives.
- Build and maintain strategic partnerships with faculty, staff, current students, and alumni to support recruitment activities, create authentic engagement opportunities for prospective students, and leverage the Whitman community in enrollment efforts.
- Travel required for admissions events in NYC as well as recruitment efforts in cities such as DC, LA, and other strategic areas.
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About The Syracuse Area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.