Director of Admissions

Lycoming College•Williamsport, PA

About The Position

Lycoming College is hiring a Director of Admissions to work within our Enrollment Management team The Director of Admissions serves as the operational leader for first-year, transfer, and partnership recruitment, including athletic recruitment. This role is pivotal in shaping how Lycoming College attracts, evaluates, and enrolls new students who align with the institution’s mission, vision, and academic values. Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Director is responsible for driving recruitment strategy, managing a team of admissions professionals, and ensuring the delivery of a diverse and talented incoming class. This is a full-time position that requires flexible hours, primarily Monday through Friday 8a-4:30pm but with a mixture of evenings and weekends based on recruitment cycle and with potential travel. Who We Are: Founded in 1812, Lycoming College is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected liberal arts colleges. Today, our community of 1,200 active learners from 26 states and territories and 13 countries comprises a student body that is 31 percent domestic students of the global majority or international, all of whom work with our renowned scholars to craft customized combinations of market-driven majors, minors and concentrations across our 52+ academic programs. Students compete in 20 NCAA Division III sports, participate in faculty-driven research, thrive in a robust program of internship experiences, and study abroad in more than two dozen countries. Lycoming College has one of the highest endowment-per-student ratios in the country. The institution is a member of the Annapolis Group of Liberal Arts Colleges and is recognized by U.S. News as a top 100 National Liberal Arts College and the No. 21 Best Value School. Lycoming College is dedicated to providing a high-quality liberal arts and sciences education for all students. Learn more at https://www.lycoming.edu . The College proudly celebrates and values the principles of inclusive excellence. In its 2021 Strategic Plan, Lycoming College committed to recruiting more faculty and staff from historically underrepresented groups. The community works to foster an inclusive campus community and to support the success of all faculty, staff and students. The College recognizes that a community formed of a wide range of backgrounds and experiences benefits all its members and serves to advance Lycoming’s goal of preparing graduates to become ethical, informed, and engaged individuals Lycoming College is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (liberal arts/sciences preferred).
Minimum five years of professional recruitment experience in a leadership admissions role, ideally at a private, liberal arts college.
Experience managing direct reports and recruitment territories.
Deep knowledge of college selection, enrollment strategies, market research, and financial aid.
Exceptional customer service and commitment to inclusivity.
Strong written and oral communication skills, with an emphasis on listening.
High motivation, diplomacy, and follow-through.
Creative problem-solving and a collaborative approach.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks independently.
Proficiency with data management systems (Slate CRM preferred) and Microsoft Suite.
Willingness to travel and work evenings/weekends as needed.
Valid PA driver’s license (or equivalent) that will successful pass the college’s insurance requirements.
Ability to successfully complete ACT 153 Clearances.
Inspirational leadership style with a focus on collaboration.
Ability to build trust and confidence among colleagues, direct reports, and prospective students/families.
Appreciation for the mission of a small, liberal arts college

Responsibilities

Strategic Recruitment Leadership Develop and execute an annual operational plan to achieve enrollment goals.
Identify and target key markets to diversify and grow the applicant pool.
Analyze enrollment trends to guide territory management and outreach.
Team Management & Development Hire, train, and supervise admissions counselors and support staff.
Set and evaluate performance goals linked to strategic objectives.
Foster a collaborative, mission-driven team culture.
Admissions Process Oversight Lead the holistic review of applications for all student populations.
Chair or coordinate the admissions committee, ensuring policies on academic standards and institutional fit are upheld.
Campus Visit & Event Coordination Direct planning and execution of on-campus and virtual recruitment events.
Ensure the visitor experience reflects the college’s character and strengths.
Collaborate with faculty and student life to deliver compelling programming.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration Work closely with Marketing, Financial Aid, Registrar, Athletics, Student Affairs, and Academic Affairs.
Align admissions messaging with the college’s brand and academic offerings.
Ensure a seamless transition from admissions to student onboarding.
Marketing & Communications Guide the development of recruitment materials, web content, and campaigns.
Ensure messaging is consistent, authentic, and inclusive.
Adapt communications based on analytics and feedback.
Data-Informed Decision Making Use data to monitor the applicant funnel and measure conversion and yield.
Track competitor activity and admissions trends.
Provide regular progress reports to senior leadership.
Budget & Resource Management Ensure compliance with the admissions office budget.
Allocate resources for travel, events, and technology.
Evaluate ROI for recruitment activities and adjust tactics as needed.

Benefits

Health insurance – with a wide variety of health plan options available
Dental insurance, including orthodontia coverage.
Vision insurance
Flexible spending accounts for medical expenses and dependent care expenses
Life & accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Short-term disability insurance
Cancer insurance
Personal accident insurance
Wellness program
Employee assistance program
403(b) retirement plan with up to 8% contributions from the College
Free tuition for employees, spouses, and eligible dependents at Lycoming College
Free tuition for eligible dependents at over 600 colleges nationwide through Tuition Exchange, Inc.
Free tuition for employees, spouses, and eligible dependents at the Pennsylvania College of Technology
Generous paid time off (PTO)
Paid Parental Leave
14 holidays per year
Summer hours
15% discount at the campus bookstore, excluding textbooks and snacks.
Reduced rates for meal packages for on-campus dining facilities.
Use of the campus recreations center and gym facilities for employees.
Use of the campus Library.