The Director of Admissions leads the College’s student recruitment efforts, working collaboratively with multiple campus stakeholders to ensure a personalized and seamless approach to recruitment, admissions and enrollment of new students. Major responsibilities include the development, design, and implementation of recruitment efforts to support the College’s enrollment goals.  These efforts will include building positive relationships with college employees, students, alumni, donors and external partners, and collaborating with K-12 and post-secondary institutions, community, civic and professional organizations. The Director of Admissions is responsible for supervision of professional and student staff, undergraduate admission policy, supervision of applications processing, and leveraging of the customer relationship management (CRM) strategies and use of emerging technologies. The Director of Admissions is a member of the college’s Admissions, Scholarship and Financial Aid committee and a key member of the Enrollment Management division of the College.
Department
Admissions / Enrollment Management
Classification
Full-time [1.0 FTE]; salary, exempt, benefits-eligible; in-person
Essential Functions
- Support the mission, vision, and values of Bethel College.
- Contribute to the successful accomplishment of the College’s enrollment objectives by developing and implementing a comprehensive student recruitment plan for undergraduate students which includes, but is not limited to, the following components: development of an inquiry pool through the use of student search services, outreach (college fairs and high school visits), high school and community college relations, use of the web and emerging technologies, digital marketing and communication strategies, effective use of CRM technologies, campus visit programs, publications, and correspondence.
- Provide leadership, management, and support for the recruitment efforts of the Office of Admissions and develops a competent, productive, and effective staff by hiring and supervising, directly and through delegation, the administrative, professional, student and clerical support personnel in the Office of Admissions.
- Participate on campus committees regarding undergraduate admissions and coordinates effectively with academic and administrative units across campus (including athletics, department heads, student life, and others) to achieve enrollment goals.
- Effectively administer the College’s prospective and admitted student software systems and databases (e.g., Slate, Jenzabar) by developing a working knowledge of those systems, assessing the on-going technology needs of the Admissions Office, and working cooperatively with the IT department to ensure that the integrity of the systems and data are maintained and that the systems are utilized productively in support of admission and recruitment functions and that new tech is deployed when appropriate.
- Develop data-driven recruitment strategies by effectively utilizing data from a variety of sources to evaluate student characteristics and trends, as well as the College’s market position and competition.
- Effectively utilize College resources in accomplishing enrollment objectives by planning, developing, and controlling the departmental budget.
- Foster an office environment that empowers staff to provide constituents with excellent customer service and personalization.
- Ensure the efficient processing of admission applications by developing and administering policies, procedures, and systems that provide quality admission services for prospective students.
- Effectively administers the College’s undergraduate admission and transfer of academic credit policies by supervising and providing leadership to the staff responsible for applying these policies and ensuring that decisions are rendered in accordance with these policies.
- Adheres to National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) rules as communicated by the Athletic Director related to dealings with student-athletes and/or Athletics Department personnel and reports any concerns or possible violations of those guidelines to the immediate supervisor.
- Represents the Office of Admissions and through service on various College committees.
- Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses and conferences, and attending training and/or courses as required by the Vice President for Enrollment Management.
- Satisfy the duties of a Mandated Reporter relating to Title IX and the Bethel College Equal Opportunity, Harassment, & Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures (as directed following the completion of basic employee training).
- Contributes to the overall success of Admissions and Enrollment Management by advising and assisting the Vice President for Enrollment Management in all aspects relating to the recruitment and admission of students and by performing all other essential duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility
- Professional staff including admissions counselors (recruiters), associate director, office manager/visit coordinator, and student workers.
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelor’s degree is required.   Master’s degree preferred.
- At least five years of experience in a college or university admissions office, with at least three years either, associate director, or director level, is required. A record of successful outcomes in the development and achievement of enrollment goals is required. Experience in hiring, supervising, management decision-making, and team development is required.
Certifications, Licenses, Registrations
- Valid driver’s license
Skills Required
- Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
- Evidence of successful work with college/university administrators and high school personnel is required.
- The ability to understand complex student information systems and use those systems effectively in a management capacity is required.
- Demonstrated technology proficiency with various software applications, CRM experience required.
- Budget management skills and the ability to analyze and interpret statistics and data.
- Ability to work with diverse, non-traditional, and underserved student populations in a compassionate and structured manner.
- Ability to work flexible hours.
- Demonstrated initiative and creativity in seeking new partners and opportunities for recruitment.
- Ability to perform with diplomacy, confidentiality and professionalism.
- The ability to foster a supportive, open, and collaborative working environment within the Office of Admissions is required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bilingual, English/Spanish.
- Additional experience in graphic design, promotion
Physical Demands
- Minimal lifting (up to 40 lbs.) and reaching
- Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as telephone, calculator, copy machine, and printer for extended periods of time
- Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one classroom or building location to another
- Ascending and descending stairs
- Ability to perform tasks both sitting and standing for extended periods of time
- Ability to function well in a standard office setting
- Medium/indoor work environment
Work Environment and Conditions
All the essential job functions are subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. This position description is not all-inclusive and may change at the option of the (supervisor or department head). Any major change will result in the position being reviewed for reclassification.