Assistant or Associate Director of Admission

Assistant or Associate Director of Admission - Diversity & Access Team
Job no: 497297
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Admission / Financial Aid, Business Operations / Services, Admin / Executive / Office Support
Division: Admission
The Enrollment Division at the University of Denver (DU), which consists of Undergraduate Admission, International Student Admission and Financial Aid, works to attract, enroll, and cultivate an optimal mix of vibrant and intellectually motivated students who will enrich the composition of our learning community and go on to lead lives of meaning and purpose. Recognizing education as a means of individual and societal transformation, our vision is to inspire, guide, and support prospective and current students as leaders and scholars who will positively impact their communities.

In our daily work, the enrollment team is guided by these values: intentional and informed decisions; integrity; diversity, equity, and inclusion; collaboration; fiscal responsibility; spirit; clear and thoughtful communication; and exceptional quality service. As an educational and research community, DU values curiosity, intellectual freedom, and open communication. DU respects individual differences and embraces civil discourse. DU promotes caring and close individual attention. DU is a community distinguished by inclusiveness, collaboration, responsiveness, and accountability. As such, we are committed to enhancing the diversity of our faculty and staff. The University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Position Summary

The admission counseling staff identifies, evaluates and cultivates prospective students for the University of Denver. This includes extensive travel in the fall and some travel in the spring to recruit in an assigned territory, including visiting high schools and attending college fairs. You will evaluate applications for admission, meet with students individually and present to groups of high school students. A critical part of this communication includes informing prospective students about academic programs and financial considerations at DU.

The Assistant or Associate Director of Admission manages all recruiting aspects of an assigned territory both locally and nationally and is responsible for building strong relationships with students, parents, school counselors and community-based organizations. Assistant or Associate Directors review applications and determine whether an applicant is academically prepared to succeed at DU (based on assessment of the students’ curriculum, grades, test scores, essay, recommendations, activities, etc.) in a culturally sensitive and informed manner. Along with the entire Enrollment Division, Assistant or Associate Directors share responsibility to attract excellent students by being sensitive to, and understanding, the diverse academic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds of students. The position will assist in the development, implementation, and coordination of the recruitment efforts to build and attract a diverse student population. Within our admission counseling staff, we have a strong career promotion structure: Assistant Directors are considered for promotion to Associate Directors after two to three years of service.

In addition to the recruiting duties listed above, the Assistant or Associate Director of Admission will serve on specific committees or projects as needed within the division. This may include communication planning, campus visit programming, virtual recruitment and marketing, credential evaluation, application review task forces, data analysis, and the supervision of student employees.

Essential Functions

Assistant Directors allot their work time as follows:

50% Territory Management/Counseling Duties
40-50% Team Responsibility
0-10% Supervision
Associate Directors allot their work time as follows:

40% Territory Management/Counseling Duties
50-60% Team Responsibility
0-10% Supervision
Knowledge of DU: Have extensive knowledge of, and remain current on, the University of Denver’s academic and degree programs, clubs and organizations, extracurricular and support programs and other key campus characteristics.
Territory Management: Counselors must creatively develop unique and innovative strategies on a yearly basis to maximize potential in each territory. Manage a territory by evaluating and implementing the best course of action to connect with students (what to do, where to recruit, methods to be used, etc.) in a way that's unique to that territory.
Relationship Management: Maintain consistent contact with constituents throughout the process, including students, parents, guidance counselors, advisors and community-based organizations, as well as DU campus partners.
Read Applications: Review applications from students who have applied from their assigned territories and be responsible for assessing the "match" of a student and determining whether an applicant is academically prepared to succeed at DU (based on assessment of the student's curriculum, grades, test scores, essay, recommendations, activities, etc.).
Enthusiastic DU Representative: Participate in daily visit programs and special day-long visit programs throughout the year - presenting information sessions, conducting individual appointments, and leading or being a member of panel discussions.
Associate Directors have extensive knowledge, expertise or skillsets in a particular area on the team (usually 3-5 years of experience in this area, or 2-3 years’ experience and a related master’s or doctorate degree). They create, plan, and implement large or multiple programs, projects or systems, possibly with the assistance of other team members which may include student employee(s).

Responsibilities specific to the assigned team of Diversity and Access include:

Assist with the organization of campus visit experiences for Pathway Partner groups.
Serve as a DU College Access liaison to assigned community-based organization and college-access university partners locally and nationally.
Serve as a staff lead for the Pioneer Prep Leadership Institute; this might include advertising, staffing, logistics, program management, budget management, assessment, and funnel management of all program elements.
Participate in daily-visit programs and special, day-long visit programs throughout the year. Presenting information sessions; attending college fair; conducting individual appointments; and panel discussions
Facilitate check-in meetings and lead relationship management of 20+ Partner Groups
Serve as a liaison to campus partners including, but not limited to, the Division of Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence.
Fulfill additional responsibilities dependent upon the organic needs of the Diversity & Access Team.
The associate director may supervise an undergraduate intern.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Communicate your message effectively with excellent written, verbal and speaking skills to connect with diverse audiences.
Present information in an easy-to-understand, engaging and professional manner that conveys your message with clarity and skill.
Use your commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity that illustrates an ability to work with all intersectional identities while appreciating cultural differences; develop a trusting and affirming rapport with individuals from varying racial ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Respond promptly and in a compelling manner to inquiries from students, parents, advisors, other departments and team members, putting their needs before other daily tasks.
Use your understanding of the value of a DU education, curricula offered at DU and basic student needs to hone your skills as an effective recruiter.
Approach each day with a strategy that prioritizes competing interests within your constituent base of prospective students, their families and the academic and administrative departments that support them.
Use your relationship management skills to better contribute, collaborate, think critically, act independently and be accountable to your teams and constituents.
Resolve issues with prospective students and their parents right away; facilitate conversation and collaboration with other departments using your superb communication skills.
Ability to work evenings & weekends, travel in and out-of-state, and develop relationships as needed during heavy recruitment seasons.
Required Qualifications

Assistant Director

Bachelor’s Degree
Two-three years of experience (or related master’s degree) in work or volunteering related to admission, international education, recruiting, college access, advising, sales or marketing ideally in a higher education setting (may include student employment).
Valid Driver’s License
Associate Director

Bachelor’s Degree
Three-five years of experience (or two to three years’ experience and a related Master’s/Doctorate degree) in work or volunteering related to admission, international education, recruiting, college access, or advising, sales or marketing ideally in a higher education setting (may include student employment).
Proven success with specialization like print, social media, programming for traditionally underrepresented populations, CRM, application operations, developing communication for diverse market, etc.
Valid Driver’s License
Preferred Qualifications

Assistant Director

Experience with or Familiarity with specialization like print, social media, programming for traditionally underrepresented populations, CRM, application operations, developing communication for diverse markets, etc.
Prior exposure to with staff or budget management
Proficiency or fluency in a second language, preference in Spanish
Associate Director

Program Management Experience
Staff Management Experience
Experience with staff or budget management
Proficiency or fluency in a second language, preference in Spanish
Additional Preferred Qualifications (Communications and Marketing)

Experience in content creation across a variety of platforms (print and email specifically)
Graphic design or video production experience
Working Environment

Standard office environment.
Noise level is quiet to moderate.
Physical Activities

Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period.
Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs. with assistance.
Work Schedule

The University’s administrative offices are open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Work schedule may vary.

Evenings and weekends as required. Position may require both in-state and out-of-state travel in the Fall and Spring (8-10 weeks per year).

In accordance with the University’s flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.