Director of Admissions

University of Maryland Eastern Shore•University of Maryland Eastern Shore, MD

2d•$95,000 - $98,000

About The Position

The Director of Admissions provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the University’s undergraduate admissions and recruitment functions. The Director develops and implements recruitment and admissions strategies that support institutional enrollment goals, expand access to higher education, strengthen recruitment pipelines, and provide a student-centered experience from initial inquiry through enrollment. Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience, the Director leads the Admissions team and collaborates with University partners to achieve enrollment objectives. The role uses data, technology, market intelligence, and best practices to evaluate recruitment performance, improve admissions operations, and enhance the prospective student experience. The Director is the University’s senior admissions leader and represents the University at recruitment events, college fairs, school and community engagements, professional associations, and other activities. The position oversees admissions strategy, recruitment, day-to-day operations, data and technology, staff development, cross-campus collaboration, and external engagement. The role includes managing the Admissions budget, supervising staff, supporting compliance with applicable requirements, and improving processes and service delivery. Evening and weekend work may be needed, and occasional travel, including out-of-state travel, is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Ten years of experience in higher education, advising, international student services, or immigration law.
Five years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.
Knowledge of international and U.S. higher education and immigration legislation, practices, and procedures.
Knowledge of federal or foreign requirements that affect the international work of the University.
Oral and written communication skills.
Skill in using Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.
Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed to support recruitment and admissions activities.
Occasional travel, including out-of-state travel.
Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and names and contact information for three current professional references, who should be current or past supervisors. A current supervisor will not be contacted without the candidate’s prior consent.
Applicants must apply through the online application system.
The successful candidate must provide acceptable documentation establishing the right to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in admissions, recruitment, enrollment management, or a related area, including significant supervisory or leadership experience.
Demonstrated success developing and implementing comprehensive recruitment and admissions strategies that support institutional enrollment goals.
Experience leading and supervising professional staff and managing complex admissions operations.
Strong knowledge of undergraduate admissions practices, recruitment strategies, enrollment processes, and student service delivery.
Experience developing recruitment pipelines and partnerships with schools, community colleges, community organizations, and other external stakeholders.
Experience developing and managing budgets and allocating resources for recruitment and admissions priorities.
Success recruiting diverse student populations, including traditional undergraduate, transfer, adult learner, online, veteran, dual enrollment, and/or international students.
Strong understanding of enrollment funnel management, conversion strategies, student recruitment, and yield management.
Advanced experience analyzing admissions and enrollment data, performance metrics, market trends, and recruitment outcomes to inform decisions.
Experience using CRM systems, enrollment technologies, data analytics, dashboards, and other technology to improve recruitment and admissions operations.
Experience with Slate or a comparable customer relationship management and admissions system.
Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents, counselors, community partners, and other stakeholders.
Strong presentation and relationship-building skills.
Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and assess annual and multi-year recruitment and admissions strategies aligned with enrollment goals, strategic priorities, academic programs, and the institutional mission.
Translate Strategic Enrollment Management priorities into measurable plans with goals, performance indicators, timelines, and accountability.
Lead recruitment and admissions strategies for relevant student populations, including traditional undergraduate, transfer, adult learner, online degree completion, veteran, dual enrollment, and international students.
Analyze enrollment trends, demographic data, market conditions, competitor activity, student behavior, and admissions funnel data to identify opportunities and challenges.
Advise the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience and University leadership on admissions trends, recruitment performance, market opportunities, and enrollment strategies.
Establish a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, student-centered service, and continuous improvement.
Develop and maintain recruitment territories, enrollment projections, recruitment goals, and staff performance expectations.
Evaluate the effectiveness and return on investment of recruitment strategies, events, travel, partnerships, communications, and other admissions activities.
Develop and manage the Admissions budget and allocate resources in alignment with enrollment priorities.
Recommend organizational, staffing, and operational improvements to strengthen the Admissions operation.
Develop and implement recruitment strategies to attract, engage, admit, and enroll qualified students.
Establish and maintain recruitment pipelines and relationships with schools, community colleges, community organizations, employers, alumni, and other stakeholders.
Plan and lead on-campus and off-campus recruitment activities, including college fairs, school visits, information sessions, admitted-student and yield events, and virtual programs.
Ensure prospective students receive timely, personalized, and consistent communications throughout recruitment and admissions.
Collaborate with Marketing and Communications on recruitment messaging, campaigns, publications, digital content, and other materials.
Develop transfer recruitment strategies, articulation partnerships, dual enrollment opportunities, and other pathways that expand access.
Identify new recruitment markets, partnerships, and student populations that may contribute to enrollment growth.
Represent the University at recruitment events and professional activities.
Lead day-to-day Admissions operations and establish and monitor policies, procedures, workflows, timelines, and service standards.
Oversee application, review, decision, communication, and enrollment processes to ensure timely and accurate processing and consistent application of University policies.
Monitor the admissions funnel and key operational metrics, and develop strategies to improve conversion and address barriers to enrollment.
Coordinate admissions work with Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Accounts, Housing, Orientation, Student Life, and other enrollment-related offices.
Modernize admissions operations using improved processes, automation, technology, artificial intelligence, and other emerging tools.
Ensure admissions practices comply with applicable laws, University policies, accreditation standards, and other requirements.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and documentation for Admissions processes.
Ensure effective use of Slate, the University CRM, enrollment technologies, analytics, dashboards, and reporting tools.
Develop regular reports and presentations on admissions activity, enrollment projections, recruitment performance, conversion rates, and progress toward goals.
Use data and continuous improvement practices to evaluate and improve recruitment activities, policies, procedures, communications, and student service delivery.
Recruit, hire, train, supervise, develop, and evaluate Admissions staff; set expectations and accountability measures and provide coaching and professional development.
Monitor staff performance and recruitment activity, provide guidance or corrective action when necessary, and establish appropriate delegation and decision-making authority.
Collaborate with academic leadership and campus stakeholders on program capacity, academic offerings, student demand, workforce trends, recruitment messaging, and prospective student experience.
Identify and address barriers to admissions and enrollment, and support initiatives concerning access, affordability, engagement, and enrollment outcomes.
Serve as a visible University ambassador and cultivate relationships with schools, community organizations, educational partners, employers, alumni, civic leaders, and other stakeholders.
Participate in professional organizations and maintain knowledge of admissions and enrollment trends and practices.
Serve on University committees and task forces, participate in enrollment initiatives and strategic planning, and perform other assigned duties in support of University and division priorities.

Benefits

Medical insurance with multiple plan options for employees and dependents.
Prescription drug coverage.
Dental insurance.
Flexible spending accounts.
Vision coverage.
Participation in a state pension system or an Optional Retirement Plan.
Supplemental Retirement Accounts with a $600 annual state match.
Life insurance.
Long-term disability insurance.
Tuition remission for eligible employees and, subject to USM policies, spouses and dependents at University System of Maryland institutions.
For exempt positions, 22 days of annual leave per year, 15 sick days per year, and 3 personal leave days per year.
Paid holidays.
Employee wellness and support resources and access to State of Maryland wellness programs.