Manager of Admission: Lamont School of Music & Department of Theatre

University of Denver•Denver, CO

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS) is the largest and most diverse academic unit at the University of Denver. The Lamont School of Music is a highly selective and nationally renowned music program with approximately 300 music students. The Department of Theatre is dedicated to comprehensive undergraduate theatre training. The Manager of Admission provides strategic leadership and oversight for all undergraduate and graduate recruitment, admission, and yield activities for the Lamont School of Music and undergraduate recruitment, admission, and yield activities for the Department of Theatre. This role works closely with the Director of Admission to manage the full enrollment funnel—from initial inquiry through matriculation—and plays a critical role in sustaining and growing enrollment for our highly competitive programs. As Music & Theatre’s primary recruiter, the Manager of Admission develops and executes data-informed strategies, makes independent decisions that impact enrollment outcomes, and serves as the primary liaison to faculty, alumni, and external partners. This position is responsible for the majority of staff recruitment travel. The position collaborates closely with the Director of Admission and campus stakeholders to design specialized recruitment initiatives tailored to music and performing arts, including audition coordination, faculty engagement, and targeted communications. The Manager of Admission requires advanced knowledge of enrollment management, experience in graduate and specialized admissions, and the ability to interpret market trends to meet institutional goals. This role has broad administrative responsibility and strategic impact and reports to the Director of Admission.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in music or a related field.
Minimum 2–4 years of experience in admissions, recruitment, or student services in a higher education setting.
Demonstrated leadership in enrollment strategy and student engagement.
Advanced understanding of music and performing arts education and its competitive national landscape.
Exceptional organizational, communication, and public speaking skills.
Ability to manage complex application processes while on recruitment travel.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and make strategic decisions.
High level of professionalism, emotional intelligence, and discretion when interacting with prospective families and internal stakeholders.
Proficiency in Slate (or similar) CRM, Microsoft Office, and web content management systems.
Ability to travel extensively and manage a dynamic, irregular schedule including evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in music or related field.
Prior experience managing recruitment travel and/or audition-based admission processes.
Experience supervising staff or volunteers.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary representative for all national and international recruitment initiatives in Music and Theatre, independently managing a robust travel schedule that includes college fairs, high school visits, festivals, and community-based organizations.
Manage all application processing, audition scheduling, applicant communications, and general admission functions, including while on recruitment travel.
Develop and execute our strategic recruitment and enrollment plan in collaboration with the Director of Admission.
Analyze enrollment data, recruitment metrics, and application trends to identify new markets and develop data-informed recruitment strategies.
Maintain expert-level understanding of competitive trends in music and theatre admission, and proactively recommend shifts in strategy or policy to meet enrollment goals.
Cultivate and sustain strategic relationships at local and national levels to support and enhance recruitment efforts in collaboration with faculty program leads and the Director of Admission.
Deliver public presentations to prospective students and families at on-campus, local, or national events.
Serve as the lead relationship manager for hundreds of prospective families, offering personalized guidance on program offerings, application processes, and financial aid options.
Collaborate with Director of Admission to oversee and manage all recruitment and admission communications, including email campaigns, print materials, and web content.
Partner with the Manager of Marketing and Communications to conceptualize digital media for recruitment purposes, including but not limited to social media content, video features, and recorded ads.
Plan, execute, and lead all on-campus audition days and individual visit programs (approx. 350 auditions annually), coordinating logistics for faculty adjudication, facilities, budget, student volunteers, and hospitality services.
Independently manage and direct complex audition scheduling systems involving multiple departments and constituencies.
Assess program effectiveness through surveys and performance metrics, and adjust strategies as needed to improve yield and prospective student experience.
Develop and deliver onboarding and training protocols for new student staff and volunteers.
Work with the Director of Admission as a key leadership voice for the Office of Admission, representing the office in university-wide meetings and initiatives as needed.
Conduct preliminary academic reviews for all graduate applicants and provide recommendations to faculty-led Graduate Admission Committee.
Serve as a liaison, in addition to the Director of Admission, between the Lamont Office of Admission and the University’s graduate enrollment teams.
Partner with the Director of Admission and the Office of Graduate Education systems team to develop a clear and effective process for graduate program applications to Lamont.
Oversee and administer budget for all recruitment travel, as allocated by the Director of Admission.
Hire, train, and supervise 5–7 student employees and up to 25 volunteers annually, setting performance goals, conducting evaluations, and fostering a culture of customer service and professionalism.
Oversight of public-facing admission operations and audition/event staffing.