Senior Recruitment Coordinator

Virginia Commonwealth University•Richmond, VA

8d•$70,000 - $76,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Recruitment Coordinator serves as the primary school-level point of contact for prospective students, faculty partners, and external partners interested in the VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Academic Advising & Student Services, the position drives enrollment growth and school visibility by developing strategic recruitment and yield plans aligned with university enrollment strategies and School priorities. It provides strategic oversight for recruitment initiatives, market analysis, and pipeline development across community colleges and higher education institutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. The role directs graduate admissions operations, uses Slate, Tableau, and other university systems, mobilizes faculty and staff, collaborates with university leadership and graduate program directors, and leads a team focused on attracting a diverse, high-caliber student body. The position requires considerable experience in college admissions, recruitment, or marketing; a bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of relevant professional experience; a valid driver's license; and willingness and ability to travel regionally, including overnight, and work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as recruitment events and travel schedules require. The position is hybrid and scheduled for 40 hours per week.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of relevant professional experience.
Considerable experience in college admissions, recruitment, or marketing.
Valid driver's license.
Willingness and ability to travel regionally, including overnight, and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required by recruitment events and travel schedules.
Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including demonstrated excellence in public speaking, customer service, and working effectively with diverse populations.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, handle sensitive matters, and prioritize multiple tasks.
Proficiency with databases, word processing, graphics, survey creation, and data analysis tools, such as MS Office Suite, Slate, Tableau, and similar systems.
Experience using social media platforms as strategic marketing and recruitment tools.
Ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or commitment to do so as a VCU staff member.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in public policy, criminal justice, public administration, urban planning, or a related Wilder School discipline.
Extensive knowledge of university admissions procedures, strategic recruitment marketing, and large-scale event and project planning.
Established relationships with community colleges, four-year institutions, and state or local government agencies across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.

Responsibilities

Develop, execute, and monitor strategic recruitment and yield plans aligned with university enrollment strategies, academic priorities, marketing goals, and innovative recruitment techniques.
Analyze market and applicant funnel data, evaluate outreach effectiveness, identify target markets, assess strategy effectiveness, and provide recruitment reports to leadership.
Establish pathways, strategic partnerships, and networks with community colleges, four-year institutions, faculty, and regional partners to generate prospective student referrals.
Collaborate with the VCU Office of Admissions, graduate program directors, and academic leadership on program-specific recruitment and yield activities.
Represent the Wilder School at external recruitment events and university committees, and mobilize faculty and staff to participate in outreach.
Direct graduate program admissions and provide prospective students with information about academic programs, procedures, career pathways, and student opportunities.
Coordinate open houses, information sessions, applicant engagement activities, and individual prospective student consultations.
Manage prospective student communication channels, including direct messaging, newsletters, and recruitment content for the Wilder School website in collaboration with the communications team.
Use Slate, Tableau, and other university systems for communications, event coordination, data tracking, and reporting.
Manage program assistants and student workers.
Maintain knowledge of and comply with university policies, admissions practices, and compliance standards, including VCU's Safety and Protection of Minors policy.
Assist the Office of Student Services with planning and implementing major departmental events as needed.
Perform other duties related to student recruitment, retention, and enrollment as assigned.