Director of Admissions

About Siena University:

Located in Loudonville, New York - just 10 minutes from the state capital of Albany - Siena empowers more than 3,400 students each year through a transformative journey we call the Education for a Lifetime. All members of the Siena University community work together to advance the University's mission to graduate Saints intent on making the world more just, peaceful, and humane. The Franciscan tradition, upon which Siena was founded, permeates throughout campus life. All community members are valued for their unique worth and recognized for their specific contributions toward the greater good. That spirit of belonging and respect reverberates across our 174-acre campus, which is ranked among the 50 most beautiful college campuses in the country by Condé Nast.

Siena is leading the way in Catholic, liberal arts education, and the national rankings help tell our story. Siena ranks number one in New York for job placement; top 10 among all Catholic University in the country; and among the top three percent of all institutions in the U.S according to the Wall Street Journal. It has always been our community of dedicated and passionate Saints who make this campus a coveted destination to work, live, and learn. We hope you'll consider joining us.

Job Description:

The Director of Admissions is a high-impact sales professional responsible for leading recruitment and conversion efforts in the Capital Region and serving as a key sales strategist and lead for the Admissions team. This position reports to the Associate VP for Admissions and combines frontline recruitment with operational leadership-driving results through personal engagement with prospective students, coaching team members in effective recruitment and sales techniques, and ensuring seamless execution of admissions operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead recruiter for the Capital Region, owning inquiry-to-enrollment results.
• Personally manage a portfolio of high-priority prospects and families, using a relationship-driven, consultative sales approach to increase conversion and yield.
• Set and meet aggressive territory goals for applications, admits, and deposits.
• Model best-in-class sales and relationship management techniques for the admissions team.
• Train and coach counselors on effective outreach, storytelling, and closing strategies grounded in Siena's brand promise.
• Lead regular pipeline and performance reviews to assess counselor follow-up, territory productivity, and conversion metrics.
• Oversee daily operations of the admissions office, including counselor travel, event coverage, and application review.
• Supervise and mentor members of the admissions team, fostering a culture of accountability, motivation, and continuous improvement.
• Act as a bridge between strategy and execution, ensuring institutional goals translate into actionable team priorities.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid, Marketing, and Operations teams to deliver a coordinated, student-centered experience.

Annual Salary: $78,680.00

*The hiring salary above represents the University's good faith estimate at the time of posting in compliance with the Albany County Salary Transparency Law.

Requirements:

Candidates must possess a valid driver's license and insurability at the time of appointment and must maintain such license and insurability throughout the tenure of employment.

A background screening will be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree required (business, accounting, higher education administration, or related field).
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in sales, admissions/higher ed.
• Customer service excellence: Strong commitment to customer service, giving our families the best experience possible.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with others both internally and externally
• Analytical & communication skills: Strong interpersonal communication and organizational skills. Able to explain complex information in a clear and supportive way. Comfortable presenting to large groups.
• Ethics & confidentiality: High degree of professionalism, accuracy, and discretion in handling sensitive student information.
• Accuracy: high attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Time Management: ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Technology Focused: proficiency with Microsoft Office and a curious mindset towards learning new software systems.
• Mission Driven: demonstrated commitment to Siena's mission of student access, affordability, and success.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business, or a related field.
• Technology Fluency: Experience with student information systems or databases such as Ellucian Banner, Slate or similar tools.
• Public engagement: Skilled presenter at recruitment events and counselor programs; capable of translating policy into accessible, engaging language for families.
• Process improvement: Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies to streamline operations and enhance service quality.
• Leadership: Skilled individual that can lead and motivate a team.

Additional Information:

Benefits:

Siena University offers a generous benefit package to eligible full-time employees. The benefit package currently includes a retirement plan contribution equal to 10% of an eligible participant's compensation (as defined under the plan) after meeting the plan's eligibility requirements, and tuition reimbursement and exchange opportunities for eligible employees, spouses, and dependents. Eligible university employees currently enjoy a work schedule that includes half-day Fridays in the summer and an expansive holiday schedule, including up to two weeks off during winter break. Other perks currently include complimentary breakfast Thursdays in the dining hall, access to University community lectures and productions, complimentary University gym and library memberships, discounted and complimentary tickets to Siena Division I sporting events, and more. Opportunities for remote work may be available as well.

Siena cares for and values each member of its workforce and actively supports upward mobility. We are a community of Siena Saints, and as we often say, the world needs more Saints.

*Eligibility for individual employee benefits is determined at the time of hire and is subject to the terms and condition of the individual benefit.

Siena University is a Franciscan and Catholic institution and expects members of its community to be knowledgeable about its mission and to make a positive contribution to that mission

Siena University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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