Director of Admissions

Director of Admissions Opportunity at Delta State University

Position: Director of Admissions
Location: Cleveland, Mississippi
Status: Full-time
Company: Delta State University
Specialty: Admissions; Enrollment Management
Rate:
 Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. A comprehensive benefits package + Relocation Assistance are included.

Learn more about this Director of Admissions Opportunity at Delta State University

Director of Admissions
Opportunity Overview

The Position: 

The Director of Admissions contributes to the overall success of the University by ensuring strategic growth and enrollment management as identified in annual goals and strategic planning. The Director assists the University by attracting qualified applicants, developing a “student first” admissions process, and ensuring a seamless transition from applicant to enrolled student. Through effective strategic planning and assessment, the Director provides the leadership in developing a recruitment plan for specified populations of students, including first time freshmen, transfer, online completion, graduate, and identified academic majors. The Director is responsible for targeted recruitment initiatives, coordinating recruitment territories, budget, management, and supervision/training of the admissions staff.

This position reports to the Vice President for Student Affairs and is a member of the institution’s Enrollment Retention Management Team (ERM). View Delta State University Organizational Chart.

Essential Job Functions of the Director of Admissions

Other Responsibilities:

  • Supervises a staff of 10 (and growing) professional team members and assists the VP in all matters related to enrollment management.
  • Works with the VPSA, President, VPAA and other members of the Enrollment Retention Management (ERM) team to develop an enrollment management plan.
  • Develops enrollment forecasting models for new student growth as well as special program enrollments.
  • Ensures exemplary customer service and a “student-first” approach in all interactions, written communication/publications, campus tours/events and in every aspect of the admissions process.
  • Identifies, hires, and professionally develops admissions counselors and support team members; Develops comprehensive on-boarding and on-going training, including scholarships.
  • Develops a communication & marketing plan to ensure consistent, prompt, and creative outreach to students and parents/families, develops marketing strategies to increase brand awareness using multiple platforms, including print, digital, and social media campaigns; Maintains working knowledge of Ellucian Recruit & Banner in the admissions funnel process.
  • Ensures all admissions’ process and procedures are operating at an optimal level at all times to enable efficient and prompt student transition through the various stages of the admissions process.
  • Collaborates with the VPSA to develop and coordinate smart, creative, effective, and efficient travel strategies, to stabilize existing markets and grow in new markets.
  • Generates, analyzes, and presents comprehensive admission reports on a weekly basis for members of the ERM team. Provides an analysis to be shared with President’s Cabinet & Executive Committee.
  • Works with the Academic Deans to develop programs, communication, and other strategies to increase enrollment in targeted programs of study.
  • Works to create and implement comprehensive strategies for enhancing relationships with high school counselors, 2-year college advisors, community-based agency leaders, and other key external stakeholders.
  • Works with the Department of Athletics to develop processes and communication that foster coordination, cooperation, and collaboration, as well as an understanding of NCAA Division II rules on admission.
  • Develops a full array of recruitment and yield events, on and off campus to ensure outreach to every specified student population, including usage of the President as a guest speaker/lecturer.
  • Understands the financial aid process including knowledge of institutional scholarships, Foundation scholarships, federal regulations, and effective strategies for financial aid as it relates to the admissions process.
  • Serves as the lead spokesperson for admissions events and off campus presentations.
  • Participates in general admissions activities, which would include but not limited to scholarship events, open houses, financial aid briefings and other events as necessary.
  • Performs other duties as required, as assigned by the VPSA.

The Candidate: 

Professional Qualifications  

The Director of Admissions must possess the following qualifications:  

Education and Experience: 
  • Bachelor’s degree with progressive years of experience in Admissions/Enrollment Management.
    • Degrees in Communications, Marketing, or Leadership, or related area.
  • Must be proficient at generating, analyzing, and presenting data-driven reports. Proficiency in Ellucians Banner and Recruit platforms (preferred).
  • Three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in admissions, higher education, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
  • Experience in budget planning and monitoring.
Preferred Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 
  • Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to prioritize projects in a high-volume and timeline-driven process.
  • Knowledge of financial aid packaging and using scholarships as admission tool.
  • Knowledge of enrollment planning, demographics, recruitment, marketing strategies, communications, and admission office operational functions.
  • Leadership, supervisory and office management skills.
  • Excellent communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work as a member of a team in a collaborative decision-making environment.
  • Excellent organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and perform a variety of projects and assignments simultaneously and in a timely manner.

Salary is commensurate with experience. Delta State University offers competitive pay and a full benefits package that includes Health, Dental and Vision insurance, Retirement Plan, paid vacation, sick, and holidays.

View full Position Prospectus 

Application Instructions: 

For immediate and confidential consideration, please submit applications no later than April 1, 2023, by 6:00 p.m. (CST) to Trey Wright: twright@kbic.com and/or DeltaStateDOA@kbic.com. Completed applications should include: 1) a current resume, 2) a cover letter, and 3) three (3) an unofficial copy of your transcript to be considered for the position. Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.    

Contact Information: 

Trey Wright 
Managing Partner & Practice Leader 
Kaye/Bassman International Corp. 
Phone: (972) 265-5338 – Direct  
Email: twright@kbic.com and/or DeltaStateDOA@kbic.com

Nondiscrimination/Equal Education Opportunity

As an institution of higher education and in the spirit of its policies of equal employment opportunity, the University declares its policy of equal educational opportunity. All applicants for admission will be considered without regard to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability related to program performance, disabled veteran status, or Vietnam era veteran status. This policy is noted in all student handbooks. Complaints or grievances of any student who has reason to think he or she has been affected by discrimination will be considered through established procedures

Americans with Disabilities Act

Delta State University is committed to a policy of equal employment and educational opportunity. Delta State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. This policy extends to all programs and activities supported by the University.

Delta State University has partnered with Kaye/Bassman to provide executive search services for the University.