Associate Director of Admission

Position Overview:

Merrimack College, which is one of the fastest-growing educational institutions in the country and is located just minutes from Boston, Massachusetts, is seeking an energetic, highly motivated, and goal-driven professional to join the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

The Associate Director will be directly involved in the planning and execution of recruitment strategies to recruit and enroll domestic first year students. This includes specific oversight of special academic cohort programs. They will ensure that all activities support the institution's mission and strategic plan, and are properly planned, executed and assessed. They will be an advocate for training and professional development for the counseling staff to ensure that staff are well-trained and provide outstanding customer service.

The Associate Director will be responsible for managing a recruitment territory including implementing a comprehensive recruitment plan for prospective students, families, counselors, alumni, and other constituents, application evaluation and other admission programs in support of the recruitment goals for the territory.

Position Responsibilities:

• Provides exemplary leadership in the supervision of undergraduate recruitment staff directly responsible for the recruitment, application evaluation, decision making and admission programs

• Develop and implement training programs for all recruitment staff

• Participate in the planning and execution of recruitment strategies to recruit and enroll domestic first year students

• Ensure that all recruitment activities support the institution's mission and strategic plan, and are properly planned, executed and assessed

• Oversee admission based academic cohort programs

• Build effective professional working relationships with people at all levels across the campus, who are involved in recruitment, enrollment and retention of new undergraduate students

• Represent Merrimack College to prospective students and their families by attending college fairs/nights and individual visits to high schools, in addition to conducting on- campus group information sessions for students, parents and guidance counselors

• Establish channels of communication with prospective students to introduce them to and inform them of Merrimack College; facilitate their relationship with the institution throughout the admissions process starting at the inquiry stage through their enrollment at the college

• Assist students in the application process through encouragement, answering questions, and providing other advice

• Read and evaluate applications for admission and participate in the admission committee that makes admission decisions

• Develop and maintain a network of school and education counselor contacts. Continue to maintain relationships throughout the year; keeping these contacts apprised of current news about the Merrimack community

• Share responsibility for meeting institutional enrollment goals

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Valid U.S. driving license required

• At least 5 years of admission experience with progressively increasing responsibility in selective college admissions and/or college counseling, or commensurate experience/education

• Strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and cross-cultural competence.

• Self-starter with a positive attitude, proactive mindset, and strong work ethic.

• Effective time management and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize among competing tasks and pay close attention to detail while working in a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, make decisions quickly, and approach challenges creatively and independently.

• Willingness to learn and utilize the latest technology in enrollment planning, including experience with a customer relationship management (CRM) system.

• Experience providing top-notch customer service.

• Excellent verbal, written, and public speaking communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a data-oriented and analytical environment that has a high level of individual and team accountability

• Ability and willingness to work extended hours, including nights & weekends, & travel extensively, including overnights and weekends.

• Ability to thrive in a data-oriented, analytical environment.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning.

• Resume

• Contact information for three professional references

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Vaccinations and Work Location

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster for which an individual may be eligible are highly recommended for students, faculty and staff. Merrimack College does not require proof of COVID vaccination for enrollment, employment or to be a guest on our campus.

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Catholic and Augustinian mission and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students from 43 states and 42 countries. The College features more than 100 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has five schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy and the Girard school of business. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 33rd in the Regional Universities North category in 2024. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.