About The Opportunity
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to the Dean of Admissions, the Director of Admissions Engagement and Coordination within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions leads customer and student experiences at all phases of the admissions lifecycle by providing strategic direction for the recruitment and enrollment process for incoming full-time undergraduate students at Northeastern and provides daily leadership and management of a team of admissions professionals.
The Director of Admissions Engagement and Coordination will be tasked with positioning Northeastern as an industry leader in the recruitment, enrollment, and support of diverse populations. The Director will leverage innovative solutions and technologies—along with traditional recruitment methods—to both develop new markets and maintain market position in existing feeder markets. They also have responsibility for continuing to enhance the University’s enrollment efforts and reputation within the City of Boston, requiring the Director to maintain relationships with high-level community stakeholders and work closely with the University’s Government Relations team.
The Director will engage in long-term planning and evaluation, as well as overall resource assessment and management for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The Director serves on the Dean’s leadership team and supports the formulation and implementation of office policies and procedures. This includes coordinating and supporting both managers and staff and having oversight for day-to-day operations.
The Director travels nationally and globally, representing Northeastern at events, programs, and panels. The position directly supervises a team of 3-5 professional staff who, in turn, supervise teams of their own. The Director will be a team player with a strong work ethic, who exemplifies the values of the institution and strives in a high volume, fast-paced environment.
Minimum Qualifications
Masters’ degree and at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in college admission, preferably at a highly selective institution. Strong supervisory, interpersonal and leadership skills, with a demonstrated commitment to staff development. Excellent communication and presentation skills. A thorough understanding of the new student recruitment process for a national and international audience. An entrepreneurial mindset and a willingness to rethink existing business processes and traditional admissions practices. Ability to interpret enrollment research and make relevant application to strategic planning. Experience working with diverse populations. Demonstrated understanding of admissions technical systems. Must be highly organized and detail oriented. Engagement with the college admission counseling profession, through presentations at conferences and strong working relationships with secondary school counselors. Knowledge of higher education issues related to recruitment, admission, and enrollment of students.
Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities
New Student Engagement 30%
Directs staff in the management of outreach and recruitment strategies that advance institutional goals across Northeastern’ Global Network. Recruitment and yield strategies must reflect Northeastern’s values and uniqueness; optimize interaction with prospective freshman, and transfer students, parents, counselors, and other constituents; and ensures that admission officers are accurately and effectively communicating information about Northeastern programs to all constituents. In addition, the Director travels globally and represents Northeastern at national events, programs, and panels.
Collaborates with the Director of Global Enrollment Strategies, the Director of NU Oakland, Senior Associate and Associate Directors responsible for recruitment planning for key populations to ensure that the recruitment strategy achieves goals around geographic diversity, academic talent, and ethnic diversity.
Administration & Staffing 30%
Oversee the selection, training, and evaluation of staff in recruitment and admission to ensure staff is professional, knowledgeable, embraces the values of the University and office, and appropriately represents the University to our diverse constituencies. Effectively manage an enrollment budget and, in conjunction with the Dean, engage in budget development and planning.
Directly supervises a team of Senior Associates and Associate Directors, and will focus on their development and collaboration, as well as their team’s development.
Coordinates and supports the management team within the office and provides daily leadership for the office, including decision making and staff management.
Plan, implement and evaluate services through benchmarking and regular surveys. Develop and maintain positive external and internal relationships throughout the University and external community.
Manage Special Admission Populations 15%
Manage special populations within the admission process including University Interest students (internal and high-profile external constituents). Utilize unit resources to provide high-level customer service to students and families. Recommend admission decisions in the context of the larger University applicant pool. Demonstrates professionalism and discretion in work with students and stakeholders. With the support of Undergraduate Admissions and Enrollment Research leadership, utilize assessment and benchmarking to report on the students’ enrollment behavior and university success, and use this data to recommend and implement improvements to provided services and the decision process. Work closely with university partners, liaising with contacts in Office of The Chancellor, Advancement and Human Resources.
Lead Support Partnership efforts. Develop partnerships across the city of Boston and collaborate with the Office of City and Community Affairs, and other campus partners. Direct the scholarship selection process and yield efforts targeting these students. Liaison with Boston Public Schools.
Enrollment & Admission Leadership & Innovation 15%
Serve as a member of the Dean’s leadership team to assist in long term planning and to develop, communicate and implement policies and procedures that reflect the vision for the office and the enrollment strategy. Responsible for working collaboratively with members of this leadership team to ensure the unit is well positioned to meet institutional enrollment goals. Works collaboratively with university colleagues. Embraces values of the University and unit. Collaborate on the design and implementation of new initiatives to achieve the goals of the Enrollment Management unit.
Recruitment Territory Management 10%
As needed plan, design, and implement an effective recruitment strategy for an assigned geographic area. The strategy should include efficient and cost-effective travel management in these territories while meeting office and University expectations and priorities. Meet with, counsel, and inform prospective students, parents, and guidance counselors. Information presented and discussed should be accurate and up-to-date, and professionalism should be maintained at all times. In addition, read and evaluate applications for the assigned travel territory using specific evaluation process. The reviews should be through and accurate; careful attention to detail is required; all decisions should be made using professional judgment. Communicate with secondary school counselors regarding decisions, when appropriate.
Position Type
Enrollment
Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see
www.northeastern.edu/diversity.
