Associate Director of First-Year Recruitment and Outreach

California State University, Sacramento•Sacramento, CA

6d•$7,084 - $7,900

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Director of Recruitment, Outreach & Orientation, the Associate Director provides leadership for Sacramento State’s first-year student recruitment strategy. The role develops and executes approaches to strengthen first-year enrollment from California markets beyond the university’s traditional local recruitment area and to strategically expand enrollment from targeted out-of-state markets. The Associate Director oversees first-year territory management, regional and nonresident recruitment, high school and counselor engagement, recruitment outreach, and yield strategies intended to achieve university enrollment goals and broaden the geographic diversity of the entering class. The role uses enrollment data, market analysis, CRM tools, and recruitment outcomes to identify emerging markets, allocate recruitment resources, and evaluate effectiveness. This is a full-time, exempt, at-will position. Work hours are Monday through Friday and may include evenings and weekends. Frequent in-state and out-of-state travel to recruitment sites may be required, including air and land travel with overnight stays. Employees must reside in California by their date of hire.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
Progressively responsible experience and documented success in college admissions.
Ability to build, supervise, and develop high-performing teams.
Ability to direct, monitor, and sustain daily recruitment operations while aligning activity with institutional enrollment goals.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, staff, students, families, and external partners.
Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities, and adapt to changing institutional needs.
Strong proficiency with computer systems and enterprise technologies, including CRM platforms, data tracking tools, and standard office applications.
Attention to detail and ability to establish timelines, meet deadlines, and ensure accountability across multiple initiatives.
Ability to collaborate across departments and build effective partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, analyze information, and make sound decisions within established policies and procedures.
Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents, including faculty, students, staff, and community members.
Ability to frequently travel in-state, out-of-state, and to other identified recruitment sites.
Ability to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in higher education, counseling, student affairs, or a related field.
Progressive professional experience in student recruitment, admissions, enrollment management, or outreach, preferably in a higher education setting.
Experience supervising professional staff and conducting performance evaluations, coaching, and corrective action.
Experience with strategic enrollment planning, yield initiatives, and data-informed decision-making.
Experience developing and managing geographic recruitment territories, including expansion into new or emerging markets.
Experience with nonresident or out-of-state student recruitment and yield strategies.
Experience using market, demographic, and enrollment-funnel data to identify recruitment opportunities and assess return on recruitment investment.
Experience developing relationships with high school counselors, school districts, community-based organizations, and other external partners in priority recruitment markets.
Experience leading recruitment travel strategy, including deployment of staff and resources across multiple regions or states.
Familiarity with the CSU system, dual enrollment, and California K–16 education landscape.
Experience developing and managing geographic recruitment markets, including markets outside an institution’s traditional service area.
Experience using Slate or similar CRM systems to manage recruitment operations and reporting.
Demonstrated commitment to access, equity, and student success through recruitment and outreach efforts.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for Sacramento State’s first-year student recruitment strategy.
Develop and execute approaches to strengthen first-year enrollment from California markets beyond the university’s traditional local recruitment area and expand enrollment from targeted out-of-state markets.
Oversee first-year territory management, regional and nonresident recruitment, and high school and counselor engagement.
Lead recruitment outreach and yield strategies to achieve university enrollment goals and broaden the geographic diversity of the entering class.
Use enrollment data, market analysis, CRM tools, and recruitment outcomes to identify emerging markets, allocate recruitment resources, and evaluate effectiveness.
Direct, monitor, and sustain daily recruitment operations in alignment with institutional enrollment goals.
Build, supervise, and develop high-performing teams.
Lead recruitment travel strategy and deployment of staff and resources across multiple regions or states.