CARE Program Specialist

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a key Community, Access, Retention, and Empowerment (CARE) Office team member, the Program Manager for Undergraduate Recruitment plays a pivotal role in sustaining and increasing high-quality applications and yield strategies that align with Ohio State’s land-grant mission. Reporting directly to the Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, this position collaborates with campus and college offices to advance meaningful recruitment experiences that highlight the pathways and possibilities within engineering and related fields at Ohio State. Collaborating closely with CARE colleagues and campus and college partners, the Program Manager advances strategic recruitment plans that enhance access to engineering education, ensuring prospective students are aware of the interdisciplinary nature and impact of engineering at Ohio State. This includes strengthening partnerships and designing engagement strategies that increase the yield of admitted students in targeted programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Four years of professional experience in higher education, recruitment, outreach, advising, and/or communications
• Proven success in developing and implementing strategies to increase access to higher education
• Strong knowledge of admissions trends, practices, and principles
• Strong program planning, coordination, and administration experience
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Detail-oriented, student-centered, and highly organized
• Ability to work independently and efficiently with minimal supervision
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a relevant field
• Four – eight years of professional experience in higher education
• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities simultaneously
• Familiarity with enrollment management tools and platforms
• Experience in STEM field

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with university and college partners to host and meaningfully engage prospective students both in-person and virtually.
• Advises and leads professional development of student ambassador organization.
• Supports CARE Connected student volunteers to enhance peer-led recruitment efforts.
• Coordinates alumni ambassador engagement to leverage networks that inspire prospective students and their families.
• Ensures seamless event logistics that showcase the College’s strengths and student experience.
• Supports prospective and admitted students through visits, admissions processes, deadlines, and enrollment decisions.
• Designs and implements targeted communication strategies through Salesforce, coordinating with College of Engineering Communications on print and digital outreach.
• Develops and delivers engaging presentations that highlight the strengths and impact of an Ohio State engineering degree.
• Creates personalized follow-up strategies for program participants to encourage application completion and enrollment.
• Supports and enhances yield strategies, ensuring admitted students receive the necessary guidance and resources to successfully enroll.
• Manages purchasing and travel requests related to recruitment efforts.
• Hires, trains, and supervises student recruitment employees, ensuring a high level of engagement and professionalism in interactions with prospective students.
• Collaborates with the Director of Undergraduate Recruitment to research, develop, and implement emerging promising practices and recruitment strategies tailored for high school students.
• Collecting, analyzing, and reporting data to inform decision-making.
• Serving as the primary contact for recruitment webpages, providing accurate and engaging content and elevating student and alumni storytelling through webpages, social media, and emails.
• Traveling to and participating in local, regional, and national recruitment events.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees