Executive Director, Graduate Enrollment

Xavier University • Cincinnati, OH

3d

About The Position

The Executive Director for Graduate Enrollment provides strategic and operational leadership for recruitment and enrollment of graduate students across Xavier University’s portfolio of graduate programs, including certificates, online and professional programs, and doctoral degrees. Reporting to the Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, this role is the university’s senior leader for graduate recruitment and drives enrollment growth through strategic planning, business development, data-informed marketing, and relationship management. The Executive Director works closely with the Provost, Deans, academic program directors, and university partners to translate academic priorities and market opportunities into measurable enrollment results. This hands-on leadership role combines executive-level strategy with direct recruitment and business development engagement.

The role leads a small graduate enrollment team and manages external recruitment, marketing, and enrollment vendors, budgets, resources, and operational processes. It also works with Marketing & Communications, enrollment technology teams, and Financial Aid to optimize recruitment campaigns, enrollment conversion, pricing, scholarships, and financial aid strategies.

Xavier University is part of the Jesuit Catholic tradition and welcomes and supports people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The university is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume through the university website. Application review begins November 16, 2026, and applications will be accepted until the position closes at the University’s discretion. Final-stage candidates will be asked to provide three professional references.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Significant experience in graduate enrollment, admissions, recruitment, sales, business development, or a related field, with demonstrated success achieving measurable growth goals.
• Proven ability to develop strategic partnerships, build recruitment pipelines, influence diverse stakeholders, and convert prospects into enrolled students.
• Experience using CRM systems, enrollment analytics, digital marketing strategies, and performance metrics to drive results.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, including experience managing external vendors, budgets, and multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Strong communication, negotiation, analytical, and relationship-building skills.
• Willingness to engage directly in recruitment and business development activities.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute graduate recruitment and enrollment strategies aligned with university priorities, academic program goals, and market demand.
• Lead enrollment forecasting, pipeline management, prospect conversion, performance reporting, and the establishment of measurable goals and key performance indicators.
• Partner with Deans and academic program leaders to identify enrollment opportunities, strengthen recruitment plans, and pursue enrollment and revenue objectives.
• Build and cultivate partnerships with corporations, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, and other employers to expand enrollment pipelines and workforce development opportunities.
• Lead recruitment through digital channels, direct outreach, events, information sessions, and individual prospect engagement, participating directly as needed.
• Identify emerging markets, prospective student audiences, and opportunities to grow enrollment across graduate programs and delivery formats.
• Define and refine Xavier’s graduate-student value proposition and program-specific messaging to differentiate the university and support recruitment and enrollment.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications and enrollment technology teams on targeted, data-informed campaigns and prospect-to-enrollment funnel optimization.
• Use CRM platforms, market intelligence, purchased prospect lists, and analytics to improve outreach, conversion, and recruitment return on investment.
• Partner with Financial Aid to evaluate tuition pricing, scholarship strategies, and financial aid leveraging in support of enrollment goals and institutional financial sustainability.
• Lead, develop, and manage a small graduate enrollment team, fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and results.
• Direct third-party recruitment, marketing, and enrollment vendors, set performance expectations, and evaluate their effectiveness and return on investment.
• Manage recruitment resources and budgets and assess processes, technologies, and tactics to improve efficiency and enrollment outcomes.
• Supervise direct reports and manage third-party vendors.

Benefits

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care account.
• Life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Paid time off options including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Tuition remission for employees and eligible dependents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director