Overview and Responsibilities

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is seeking to hire an Assistant Director of Graduate Admission. Reporting to the Director of Admissions for the Schools of Graduate and Professional Program (SGPP), this position is responsible for leading and managing the full-cycle admissions process for recruitment to programs in the Graduate School of Education within the SGPP. The Assistant Director oversees a small team of enrollment counselors and, in collaboration with the Director, as well as marketing/communications and academic stakeholders, manages the strategy and execution to meet the institution’s recruitment goals for its programs. These responsibilities include overseeing the recruitment process, the funnel, events and experiences, and the communication plans for prospective students exploring a program in the Graduate School of Education. 

Job responsibilities

• Direct supervision of Enrollment Counselors involved in recruitment of graduate students interested in graduate education programs.
• Recruiting activities:
  • In collaboration with the Director of Admissions, lead the recruitment strategy for programs within the Graduate School of Education to meet identified recruitment goals.
  • Through a relational recruitment model, support prospective students and accompany them through the admissions process, including helping them to navigate paying for their program.
  • Build and maintain relationships with prospective students, representatives from educational institutions, and relevant organizations.
  • Promptly follow up with new inquiries, prospective students, and applicants by telephone, e-mail, and text within an assigned territory, and guide staff to outreach expectations.
  • Meet with prospective students virtually and in-person.
  • Oversee the admissions process from inquiry through enrollment, ensuring a seamless and positive experience for prospective students.
  • Serve as primary liaison to academic program leaders within the school, and collaborate with those academic leaders and other stakeholders including the Director of Strategic Partnerships, Financial Aid, Student Central, and Marketing & Communications department on recruiting efforts.
  • Maintain a detailed contact management record to promote positive relationships with prospective students.
  • Identify inquiry and application trends and develop recruitment action plans by program.
  • Ensure admissions practices comply with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and relevant regulations.
  • Stay informed about trends and best practices in higher education admissions, particularly for adult/online programs.

• Events and experiences:
  • Participate in on- and off-campus admission events to promote Saint Mary’s University’s programs.
  • Ensure effective collaboration and execution of internal and external events including in-person and virtual open houses, information sessions, and graduate fairs.
  • Plan, promote, and execute an annual recruitment event calendar.
  • Assist or guide the Graduate School of Education admission team and/or program staff with event planning.
  • Collaborate with program faculty/staff for content development.
  • Set up registration and communication in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system (Target X).
  • Create events in Zoom or secure physical location.
  • Collaborate with the Office of Marketing & Communications team to promote events on the university website and calendar, and to make recorded events available on the website.
• Development of targeted recruitment and communication plans:
  • In collaboration with the Graduate Admission Leadership team and the Marketing and Communications team, contribute to the development of a successful overall recruitment plan.
  • Partner with the Marketing & Communication team and academic leadership to develop and maintain program communication plans designed to inform and encourage enrollment.
  • Work with the Enrollment Management Operations team to execute in the CRM.
• Data analysis and reporting:
  • Monitor and analyze recruitment data to assess the effectiveness of various strategies and to make data-informed improvements.
  • Prepare regular reports on admissions metrics and progress toward goals.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

NOTE: Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Travel required occasionally for events, conferences, and meetings. 

Qualifications

Essential skills and abilities:

• Strong recruiting experience with a track record of meeting and exceeding targets while staying focused on exceptional student experience.
• Demonstrated successful experience in developing recruitment strategies and communication plans.
• Proven ability to plan and execute in-person and virtual recruitment events.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. 
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple tasks. 
• Strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, if necessary. 
• Develops and maintains good working relationships and communications at all levels of the organization.
• Observes safety guidelines and follows safety procedures established by the university.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work effectively alone and within a team environment.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree required, preferably in an education-related field. K-12 or higher education experience as an administrator and/or teacher is preferred.
• Five or more years working in admissions including experience with outreach, recruitment, and communication strategy.
• May consider other acceptable equivalent combinations of training and experience.

Application Requirements

Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.