Director of Graduate Admissions

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $110,000 to $125,000

Position Summary

The Director of Graduate Admissions will play a pivotal role in developing and managing strategic partnerships to support the School of Engineering's enrollment goals. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions, the Director will participate in both domestic and international recruitment efforts, ensuring the diversification and growth of the applicant pool. This position requires a strategic thinker with strong data analytics skills, capable of operating independently to enhance the School's recruitment strategies and partnership programs. The Director will work closely with academic departments and external institutions to foster collaborative relationships and drive the School’s admissions initiatives forward.

Responsibilities

• (25%) Partnership Management:Lead the development, management, and expansion of strategic partnerships with domestic and international institutions to support the School's enrollment goals. This includes identifying potential partner colleges and universities to diversify the graduate student population and arranging information sessions and meetings with prospective students and institutional representatives. The Director will collaborate with institutional partners to draft, review, and finalize partnership agreements, ensuring they align with the School's strategic objectives. The Director will represent the college in high-level discussions with current and prospective articulation partners, fostering strong relationships and ensuring mutually beneficial collaborations. They will oversee the administration of these agreements, including managing renewals, tracking outcomes, and reporting on program success to both internal and external stakeholders. The Director will also work closely with partners to ensure that programs are successful, addressing any issues that arise and seeking continuous improvement opportunities.

• (20%) International and Domestic Recruitment: In partnership with the Associate Director of Recruitment, develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to expand and diversify the School's international and domestic recruitment efforts. They will manage initiatives to attract a broad and diverse applicant pool, including organizing information sessions, conducting outreach activities, and fostering relationships with top feeder institutions. The Director will collaborate on the planning and execution of yield events both domestically and internationally, ensuring these events effectively engage admitted students and encourage matriculation. They will track and analyze conversion and yield rates, using data-driven insights to optimize recruitment strategies and enhance outcomes. The Director will work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to align recruitment efforts with academic programs and institutional goals.

• (20%) Marketing and Outreach: Strategically direct the development, implementation, and coordination of a comprehensive marketing, event, and communications plan that aligns with the School of Engineering's strategic goals and objectives. This includes enhancing the digital and physical presence of the School through innovative strategies, such as website optimization, social media engagement, and targeted outreach initiatives. The Director will craft and execute a multi-faceted communication strategy to maintain continuous and personalized engagement with applicants throughout the admissions process. They will lead the conceptualization, planning, and execution of high-impact virtual and on-campus recruitment and yield events. The Director will collaborate closely with the graduate admissions team to curate compelling and relevant content, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with the School's brand identity. They will also drive the creation and management of dynamic social media content that resonates with diverse audiences and fosters community engagement. The Director will champion data-driven decision-making by analyzing marketing and outreach metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and implement continuous optimization measures.

• (20%) Admissions Operations:Play a key role in developing relationships with academic departments to understand their unique needs and align admissions strategies accordingly. They will collaborate closely with the Operations team to streamline processes, specifically utilizing the Slate CRM system, and implement optimal solutions to enhance the admissions experience. The Director will be responsible for reading and reviewing applications for admission, ensuring a thorough and fair evaluation process. Additionally, the Director will recommend, enforce, and train staff on admissions policies and procedures, serving as the primary liaison for department leadership and student affairs staff. They will ensure that admissions strategies align with departmental interests and institutional goals. The Director will also oversee critical functions such as prescreening, verification processes, and post-admit document submission to maintain the integrity and credibility of the admissions process.

• (10%) Data Management and Reporting:Develop and implement strategic data analyses to optimize yield rates, minimize attrition, and enhance the overall student matriculation experience. They will maintain comprehensive and consistent data sets for longitudinal trend analysis, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and relevance for informed decision-making and strategic planning. The Director will generate detailed reports and actionable recommendations based on data analyses, providing valuable insights and guidance to relevant stakeholders. They will manage historical data repositories, conduct in-depth analyses of trends, and identify patterns, opportunities, and areas for improvement in admissions and enrollment processes. The Director will prepare ad-hoc admission and enrollment reports as required for annual surveys, grant applications, and other data reporting needs. They will also track and evaluate conversion rates of applicants from various outreach efforts and deliver regular admissions and enrollment reports tailored for academic departments and leadership.

• (5%) Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Higher Education Administration or a related field preferred.

• 5 – 7 years of related experience in graduate admissions or a related field, with a strong track record of international recruitment experience, particularly in Asia, South America, and Europe.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing strategic partnerships.

• Strong data analytics skills, with the ability to interpret and leverage data to inform strategies and decisions.

• Proven ability to operate independently and take initiative in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse. stakeholders.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

• Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, specifically Slate, is highly desirable.

• Strategic thinker with a creative and resourceful approach to problem-solving.

• Demonstrated ability to align admissions strategies with institutional goals and departmental needs.

• Availability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.