What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Undergraduate Admissions position at Western Carolina University?
The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).
The Director of Undergraduate Admissions provides strategic and operational leadership for undergraduate admissions and is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that recruit, admit, enroll, and support the successful transition of a qualified, talented, and diverse undergraduate student body. The director leads recruitment and yield efforts for first-year, transfer, returning, and other designated undergraduate populations and works collaboratively with campus partners whose functions affect the enrollment experience.
The director develops and manages a comprehensive strategic recruitment and enrollment plan aligned with Western Carolina University’s mission, strategic priorities, and UNC System policies and regulations. The director uses enrollment data, market research, technology, and assessment to establish goals; evaluate enrollment funnel performance; develop projections and forecasts; identify emerging markets and opportunities; and adjust strategies in response to demographic, competitive, economic, and policy changes.
The director provides leadership for admissions operations, technology, communications, policy, budgets, staff development, compliance, assessment, and continuous process improvement. The director is responsible for ensuring prospective students and families receive timely, accurate, personalized, and student-centered information and service from initial inquiry through matriculation.
The director develops and maintains strong campus and external partnerships and collaborates with academic units, Financial Aid, University Scholarships, the Registrar, Orientation, Marketing and Communications, student success units, Institutional Research, Information Technology, high schools, community colleges, counselors, advisors, alumni, and other partners. The director is responsible for developing and overseeing programming and disseminating timely and accurate information to high school counselors, community college advisors, and Cat Eyes Alumni members to support recruitment, referral, and enrollment goals.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The Director of Undergraduate Admissions provides strategic and operational leadership for undergraduate admissions and is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that recruit, admit, enroll, and support the successful transition of a qualified, talented, and diverse undergraduate student body. The director leads recruitment and yield efforts for first-year, transfer, returning, and other designated undergraduate populations and works collaboratively with campus partners whose functions affect the enrollment experience.
The director develops and manages a comprehensive strategic recruitment and enrollment plan aligned with Western Carolina University’s mission, strategic priorities, and UNC System policies and regulations. The director uses enrollment data, market research, technology, and assessment to establish goals; evaluate enrollment funnel performance; develop projections and forecasts; identify emerging markets and opportunities; and adjust strategies in response to demographic, competitive, economic, and policy changes.
The director provides leadership for admissions operations, technology, communications, policy, budgets, staff development, compliance, assessment, and continuous process improvement. The director is responsible for ensuring prospective students and families receive timely, accurate, personalized, and student-centered information and service from initial inquiry through matriculation.
The director develops and maintains strong campus and external partnerships and collaborates with academic units, Financial Aid, University Scholarships, the Registrar, Orientation, Marketing and Communications, student success units, Institutional Research, Information Technology, high schools, community colleges, counselors, advisors, alumni, and other partners. The director is responsible for developing and overseeing programming and disseminating timely and accurate information to high school counselors, community college advisors, and Cat Eyes Alumni members to support recruitment, referral, and enrollment goals.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage students, families, counselors, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and technology skills related to admissions operations and enrollment management.
- Ability to explain complex higher education concepts clearly and market the institution effectively.
- Strong interpersonal, public speaking, writing, collaboration, multitasking, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to high standards, quality service, and professional ethics.
Minimum Qualifications
- Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support
- Master’s degree from a regionally accredited university
- Extensive college admission experience (a minimum of five years) including increasingly complex responsibilities in leadership positions
- Strategic recruitment expertise with demonstrated success in meeting enrollment targets
- Demonstrated experience developing recruitment strategies, yield initiatives, and lead-generation partnerships
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior leadership experience in undergraduate admissions, enrollment management, or a closely related area.
- Experience using admissions CRM and student information systems, such as Slate and Banner.
- Active involvement in state, regional, or national admissions/enrollment organizations.
- Experience representing an institution at recruitment events, professional meetings, and system-level meetings.
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week
40
Number of Months Per Year
12
Posting Text
Open Date
08/18/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
To complete the application process, please include a cover letter, your current resume, and a list of at least three professional references with their complete contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact: Mike Langford at malangford@email.wcu.edu
To complete the application process, please include a cover letter, your current resume, and a list of at least three professional references with their complete contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact: Mike Langford at malangford@email.wcu.edu
Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
Benefits:
Retirement Plan, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Dental InsuranceSalary : $51,432 - $75,505