Position Summary:
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

In close collaboration with the Dean and Director of Graduate Studies, the Associate Director, Admissions is responsible for the admissions and recruiting enterprise for over 20 graduate departments offering degrees and certificates in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). The Associate Director communicates a passion for graduate education in the liberal arts and sciences in all activities. This individual manages the yield of a diverse group of high-caliber students in accordance with targeted enrollment goals and college priorities.

The Associate Director oversees the development and execution of annual recruitment schedules for on-campus graduate programs. In collaboration with all office Admissions Staff, the Associate Director plans and conducts information sessions, presentations, and on-campus events and represents the programs at various events regionally and nationally. They will also supervise and manage admissions staff focused on our on-campus programs as well as our Graduate Student Ambassadors, who assist with recruitment and current-student events.

The Associate Director is responsible for generating and assessing prospective candidate leads and building and maintaining relationships throughout the admissions process. The Associate Director collaborates with office Technology and Operations staff to leverage technology to effectively manage inquiry, admissions, and enrollment pipelines and for managing data through the admissions process. The Associate Director also assists the Graduate Dean, Director, and Director of Marketing and Communication with strategic planning and communications for the Office of Graduate Studies.

Limited evening and weekend hours will be required, as well as regional and national travel.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Recruitment and Admissions: Manage recruitment strategies and activities for Graduate Studies to help enroll a diverse pool of students into graduate programs in over 20 graduate departments.
Organize, plan, and execute the recruitment schedule for Graduate Arts and Sciences, which includes an annual strategic review and evaluation of recruitment activities to analyze yield and inform future planning. Travel required.
Plan and host online information sessions on a web hosting platform. Occasional evenings required.
Plan and host in-person graduate recruitment events at Villanova during normal business hours/days and occasional after hours/evenings.
Generate new recruitment opportunities both on and off-campus, identifying new prospect pools. Use admissions data to identify feeder schools and other colleges or corporations to organize and attend visits and information sessions.
In close collaboration with Technology and Operations staff, liaise with faculty, program directors, the Registrar, Financial Aid, and any other necessary offices regarding application deadlines, materials, and student status changes.
In close collaboration with our admissions counselors, advise and counsel applicants for on-campus programs.
Monitor timely admissions application activities and assist with decision processing workflows internally, including the quality check process and the deferral in Slate.
Manage timely review by admissions committees in graduate Liberal Arts and Sciences programs for prospective student application materials.
Work with the Director of Academic Support in Athletics to assist in recruiting student athletes for graduate programs.
Conduct annual strategic review and evaluation of all recruitment events and activities (e.g. analyze yield) to inform future planning, including utilizing Slate data to support analysis.
Manage the team of Graduate Student Ambassadors who support our events.
Attend professional development activities and conferences to broaden our recruitment knowledge and activities and make recommendations to Dean and Director.
Help manage and use a variety of recruitment-related accounts on behalf of the office based on need, such as the ETS GRE/TOEFL score accounts and credential evaluation/transcript databases.
Management of Admissions Personnel: Manages, supervises, trains, mentors, and provides support for admissions staff supporting over 20 departments with graduate programs.
Work closely and collaboratively with the Dean, Director, and Technology and Operations staff to incorporate Admissions staff into Graduate Studies organization and workflow.
Support Admissions staff through Slate processes, recruitment scheduling, and virtual information session planning.
Support Administrative Assistant who handles our office type-2 email account and works with applicants and enrolled students.
Collaborate with all admissions staff on recruitment activities throughout the year.
Marketing & Communications: Take a strategic, collaborative role in developing and executing content and communications for the Office of Graduate Studies, working closely with the Dean, Director of Graduate Studies, and Director of Communication and Marketing for Grad CLAS to support recruitment initiatives.
Provide high-level support to senior leadership in promoting the graduate programs in CLAS to a diverse audience, including prospective students, alumni, and external partners.
Develop, implement, and analyze email marketing campaigns and event communications to engage prospective students, in collaboration with admissions and marketing communications staff.
Partner with the Director of Marketing and Communication to identify opportunities for digital and print collateral content.
Strategic Planning: Assist the Graduate Dean and Director with making decisions about general Graduate Studies admissions operations and other relevant initiatives. Participates and/or leads projects related to the goals and objectives of CLAS Graduate Programs as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Formal Education
Bachelor’s degree required
Minimum Work Experience
5-7 years of relevant and applicable work experience in admissions, enrollment management, or student affairs.
Work Skills
Demonstrated experience successfully managing or supervising personnel.
Proficient in computer software applications and higher education software systems such as Microsoft Office, Banner, Slate, Softdocs, and Zoom.
The position also requires a high level of comfort with technical processes and facility in learning new systems.
Demonstrated experience executing recruitment strategies and tactics.
Demonstrated project management experience with ability to manage projects, deadlines, and priorities.
Demonstrated experience planning and coordinating events.
Can communicate professionally and efficiently in a fast-paced environment, working independently under general supervision.
Strong public speaking/ presentation skills with strong customer service skills.
Collaborative team player who can easily develop strong working relationships with students and staff.
Results-oriented and can anticipate and identify problems and opportunities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with aptitude for accuracy and detail.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree preferred (or equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired).