Associate Director, Admissions

The associate director of admissions carries a primary function of recruiting undergraduate students to SMU and supervises the freshman and transfer counselors in the office. The person also oversees admissions events such as open houses, admitted student day, Benedictine Scholars day and in planning and executing all visit programs for students, families, school groups and community partners. The associate director manages assigned recruitment territories, represents the University at events on- and off-campus; communicates with students, parents, and counselors regarding the University and the admissions process; and reviews some first-year college applications. In addition, the associate director budgets, plans and schedules local and regional recruitment and yield events for the counselors. in planning and executing all visit programs for students, families, school groups and community partners. The position assists in hiring and training counselors and on setting recruitment and outreach goals. The position is strongly focused on meeting the University's undergraduate recruitment goals, providing excellent follow-through, customer service and communicating the educational opportunities available at Saint Martin's University.

At Saint Martin's University, employment is a vocation rooted in our Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts identity and our shared commitment to student success. Founded in 1895 by Benedictine monks, the University invites every employee to steward this mission through their work, relationships, and service to the common good. Below you will find information that outlines who we are and how our Catholic Intellectual Tradition, Benedictine values, liberal arts foundation, and focus on student transformation shape expectations for all who serve the Saint Martin's community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions & Responsibilities - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this position. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Budget, plan, and schedule local and regional admissions events for counselors, which includes working with our admissions marketing manager on communication and outreach plans involving students, families, high school guidance counselors, and community partners. Manage travel schedule and decide with Dean on appropriate territories and setting enrollment goals for the office.
• Plan and oversee all of our major events including open houses, admitted student day and Benedictine scholar's day and develop new targeted offerings.
• Travel to designated territories to meet individual undergraduate recruitment goals and motivate the admissions counselors towards meeting the university's overall undergraduate recruitment goals.
• Present the University's academic and support programs, admission requirements, and financial aid offerings and maintain proactive communication with prospective students, families, high school counselors, and other community partners.
• Perform comprehensive file review of student applications for admission to Saint Martin's University and make decisions on applications for counselors that are out to meet our two-week decision requirements.
• Serve in professional associations to increase visibility for the University and develop professional competencies
• Supervise, train, evaluate, and provide ongoing support for four freshman and two transfer admission counselors including setting and tracking goals; develop on-going training for the counselors including regularly updating the staff training manual
• In the absence of the Dean supervise other staff as needed. Foster relationship with faculty and campus personnel.
• Work on admission funnel and other data needs in conjunction with Outreach Coordinator, utilizing data to make decisions regarding name buys, lead generation, etc.
• Assist with daily operations including strategic planning for seasonal needs of office
• Assist the Dean with special projects
• Create financial aid estimates for students and lead discussions with students and families to review estimated cost, payments plans, loan eligibility, and cost-saving measures, providing clear guidance on financial options.
• Perform other duties as assigned

COMPETENCIES

• A strong commitment to ethical and sophisticated higher education institution admission practices including experience in hiring, supervision and training.
• Communicates effectively with department employees, prospective students and their families, and the public in one-to-one and group settings (gives instructions, information and responds to questions).
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills for coordination and overall management of programs, projects, and events.
• Strong writing, communication, and interpersonal skills - including the ability to produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation and grammar.
• Ability to regularly produce reports outlining strategies and assessing outcomes.
• Effective public speaking skills for group presentations.
• Commitment to utilizing social media.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Working knowledge of computer functions including word processing applications, e-mail, PowerPoint, web/internet, spreadsheets, and how to navigate student information databases.
• Read about, listen to, and observe specific situations and articulate appropriate responses, including directives affecting staff activities, budget expenditures, and the organization of materials and communications.
• Must be capable of working in a stressful, deadline-specific work environment.
• Must be self-motivated, energetic, flexible and creative.
• Must be supportive of a Catholic, Benedictine philosophy of education and be able to articulate and support the University's mission statement.

REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred to support our mission and also occasionally representing the needs of the Graduate school for tours and recruitment
• 3+ years of experience in higher education admissions, enrollment management or a related environment with demonstrated success
• Relevant experience with public speaking, writing, and content/data analysis
• Strong leadership, organizational, interpersonal and public speaking skills
• Working knowledge of computer and online software applications
• Experience with event planning is preferred
• Social media skills, including experience with Facebook and Twitter, are preferred
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check
• Current valid driver's license and ownership of a vehicle is required (mileage reimbursed for university activities) Campus policy dictates utilizing your own vehicle for travel within a 100-mile radius
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Physical demands include:

• Ability to be mobile campus wide for appropriate business needs
• Moves heavy objects (50 pounds or more) long distances (more than 20 feet)
• Ability to be mobile for appropriate business needs
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements
• Reading, writing, speaking, hearing, standing, bending, sitting
• Learning and comprehending
• Requires visual concentration on detail
• Manual dexterity and precision required for keyboarding
• Must be able to sit for long periods at a time at a computer
• Must be able to concentrate on details and process complex information while experiencing frequent interruptions
• Must be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels under stressful conditions
• This position will require extensive in and out-of-state travel (a minimum six to eight weeks per year) including high school and/or community college visits, college nights and weekend college fairs
• Must possess a standard driver's license and be prepared to operate a motor vehicle