Director of Graduate Enrollment Strategy

Point Loma Nazarene University•San Diego, CA

21h•$79,640 - $110,000

About The Position

PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical, Wesleyan tradition, offering quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant Christian environment where minds are engaged and challenged, character is modeled and formed, and service is an expression of faith. PLNU is an institution that is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of God’s kingdom. We therefore encourage applications from culturally diverse candidates. Benefits: We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, competitive retirement matching, vacation and sick time, and 15 paid holidays per year. In addition, we have many opportunities to engage with our community including staff chapel and a robust wellness program. Job Summary: The Director of Graduate Enrollment Strategy provides strategic and operational leadership for graduate recruitment, admissions performance, and enrollment systems across all graduate programs. This role serves as the primary architect of enrollment strategy, overseeing portfolio-based recruitment (pod model), forecasting, pipeline health, and academic alignment. The Director ensures that enrollment operations are executed effectively while maintaining focus on long-term scalability and performance optimization. The position operates at the intersection of strategy and execution. The director owns outcomes while guiding the systems and teams that produce them.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred
Minimum five years of progressive experience in graduate enrollment, recruitment, or related leadership roles
Demonstrated success in leading data-informed enrollment strategies and achieving measurable growth outcomes
Proven experience managing and developing high-performing teams
Strong ability to collaborate with academic leadership and influence cross-functional stakeholders
Proficiency with CRM systems, marketing platforms, and analytics tools (Salesforce preferred)
Experience leveraging technology and AI tools to support operational and strategic initiatives
Exceptional communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills
Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement.
In addition, staff agree to live in agreement with PLNU’s Community Life Covenant.
The job offer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.
PLNU will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local "Fair Chance" laws.

Responsibilities

Enrollment Strategy & Performance Leadership Lead the development and execution of annually based comprehensive graduate enrollment strategies aligned with institutional growth goals.
Monitor enrollment performance across all stages of the funnel and implement data-informed adjustments to improve outcomes.
Own forecasting processes, including pipeline analysis, trend identification, and proactive planning to address gaps.
Establish clear performance expectations and accountability structures across the enrollment team.
Oversee the implementation and effectiveness of the portfolio-based (pod) enrollment model.
Ensure alignment, consistency, and performance across pods while maintaining flexibility for program-specific needs.
Provide selective oversight of high-priority or complex program portfolios to ensure strategic alignment and performance.
Partner with the Associate Director to ensure strong day-to-day execution, pipeline continuity, and counselor effectiveness.
Lead and develop enrollment staff through coaching, performance management, and structured accountability.
Foster a performance-driven culture focused on results, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Support the development of program expertise within pods to strengthen student guidance and conversion outcomes.
Create clarity in roles, expectations, and processes within a dynamic and evolving environment.
Monitor and execute operational strategies by evaluating production, productivity, quality, and customer service across enrollment teams.
Other related responsibilities as assigned.
Academic & Cross-Functional Collaboration Serve as the primary liaison to academic deans and program directors, facilitating regular data reviews and program-level strategy discussions.
Partner with deans and associate deans to design and guide program-specific outreach strategies that drive organic lead generation through counselor engagement.
Ensure alignment between academic initiatives and enrollment performance, maintaining shared accountability for outcomes.
Collaborate with the Events Manager and academic leadership to plan, implement, and support information sessions and engagement events.
Partner with GPS leadership to support the launch and promotion of new graduate programs, credentials, and certificates.
Coordinate with Marketing to develop and execute program-specific marketing strategies, content, and campaigns aligned with enrollment goals.
Drive enrollment outcomes from institutional partnerships by ensuring alignment between partnership activity and enrollment strategy.
Provide strategic oversight of partnership-related enrollment performance, including lead conversion and program alignment.
Systems, Data & Operational Excellence Leverage CRM systems, shared platforms (e.g., Coda, Dean Hub), and analytics tools to monitor and improve performance.
Ensure data integrity, reporting visibility, and actionable insights across enrollment and academic teams.
Utilize emerging technologies, including AI tools, to enhance communication, lead management, and operational efficiency.
Continuously evaluate and refine processes to improve scalability and effectiveness.