Assistant Director of Graduate Admission

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Director of Graduate Admission, the Assistant Director of Graduate Admission plays a key role in advancing graduate enrollment goals through the execution of recruitment, admissions, communication, and enrollment strategies. This position manages prospective student engagement from inquiry through enrollment, supports application review and decision processes, and collaborates closely with the Dean, Director, faculty program directors, and other campus partners to meet program-specific enrollment objectives.

The Assistant Director is responsible for cultivating relationships with prospective students, providing individualized advising and support throughout the admissions process, and implementing recruitment initiatives designed to attract and enroll qualified students. The position represents the Graduate School at recruitment events, information sessions, orientations, and other outreach activities, while supporting efforts to enhance the prospective student experience and strengthen enrollment outcomes. The Assistant Director also assists with admissions operations, communications, and enrollment-related projects that contribute to the achievement of institutional enrollment goals.

This role requires strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a student-centered environment. Occasional evening and weekend work is required for recruitment, admissions, and orientation events.

Essential Duties

Recruitment (35%)

• Implements Graduate School-wide and program-specific recruitment strategies aligned with enrollment goals; monitors and analyzes inquiry, applicant, and enrollment data to inform outreach and strategy adjustments.
• Identifies recruitment challenges and recommends data-informed solutions to improve pipeline development and conversion.
• Maintains current knowledge of academic programs, faculty initiatives, and market trends to effectively represent and promote offerings.
• Collaborates with faculty program directors to support recruitment efforts across on- and off-campus initiatives.
• Manages prospective student engagement through personalized outreach and comprehensive follow-up strategies across multiple communication channels.
• Represents the Graduate School at recruitment events including open houses, information sessions, orientations, professional conferences, and other outreach activities.
• Conducts research and analyzes enrollment and market data in support of Graduate School initiatives and strategic projects.
• Assesses recruitment activities and outcomes to support continuous improvement in enrollment planning.

Admissions (25%)

• Serves as a primary point of contact for prospective students, providing timely and student-centered communication via phone, email, virtual, and in-person interactions; advises admitted students on next steps including registration.
• Reviews and evaluates application materials to assess academic readiness and determine initial standing in the admissions process.
• Coordinates with faculty program directors to facilitate timely review of applications and admissions decisions.
• Investigates and resolves application-related issues, escalating complex cases to the Director as appropriate.
• Supports international applicants by providing guidance on visa requirements and processes I-20 documentation; serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) or collaborates closely with the Primary DSO.
• Monitors provisionally admitted students for adherence to admission conditions and updates admission decisions accordingly.
• Provides regular updates to the Director and Dean on admissions activity and identifies trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Participates in cross-training and provides support across admissions functions to ensure operational continuity.

Enrollment Analysis & Reporting (10%)

• Monitors inquiry, application, admission, and enrollment activity to identify trends and support enrollment planning efforts.
• Generates and reviews routine enrollment reports to track recruitment effectiveness, application progress, conversion rates, and yield outcomes.
• Analyzes recruitment and admissions data to inform outreach strategies, identify areas for improvement, and support achievement of enrollment goals.
• Assists with the preparation of enrollment summaries, reports, and presentations for the Director, Dean, and other institutional stakeholders.
• Maintains accurate applicant and recruitment records within institutional systems and follows established data integrity standards.
• Collaborates with the Director and campus partners to support assessment of recruitment initiatives and enrollment outcomes.
• Uses enrollment data and market information to provide recommendations that enhance recruitment effectiveness and prospective student engagement.
• Supports continuous improvement efforts through the review of enrollment processes, communication strategies, and operational practices.

Policy, Procedures and Promotional Activities (15%)

• Participates in regular staff meetings and contributes to the alignment of enrollment, marketing, and operational goals.
• Develops, updates, and maintains standard operating procedures to support efficiency, consistency, and continuous improvement.
• Contributes to the design and refinement of admissions workflows and processes.
• Collaborates with the Director and faculty program directors to ensure clarity and consistency in admissions and registration procedures.
• Reviews and monitors website content, program materials, and communications to ensure accuracy and timeliness; recommends updates as needed.
• Supports the development of promotional content and communication strategies aligned with Graduate School priorities.

Special Projects (15%)

• Supervises and provides direction to graduate assistant(s), including oversight of social media initiatives and other assigned projects.
• Supports the planning and execution of Graduate School events including information sessions, open houses, orientations, and commencement activities.
• Conducts research and data analysis in support of Graduate School initiatives and strategic projects.
• Assists the Director and Dean with special projects and initiatives that support enrollment growth and operational effectiveness.

Qualifications

We seek a candidate who values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of their work. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with partners across campus in support of Hood College’s mission as a student-centered liberal arts institution.

To perform this role successfully, the individual must be able to carry out each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum of 2–3 years of professional experience in a fast-paced office environment required; experience in admissions, advising, recruitment, enrollment management, or marketing in a higher education setting preferred. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively across teams. Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills are required, along with strong organizational and analytical abilities. Experience working with CRM systems, student information systems, and enrollment-related data to support recruitment, admissions, reporting, and data-informed decision-making is highly desirable.

Preferred Skills and Characteristics

Demonstrated cross-cultural competence and/or foreign language proficiency is strongly preferred. Experience working with diverse student populations and international applicants is highly desirable. Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., TargetX, Salesforce, Slate) and experience using enrollment data to inform recruitment strategies, student engagement, and enrollment planning are preferred.

Strong competencies in relationship building, student-centered communication, data-informed decision-making, cross-cultural communication, collaboration with academic and administrative stakeholders, and organizational effectiveness are essential for success in this role.

Technology Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), email, internet tools, and basic AI applications required. Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies, including CRM systems, student information systems, and department-specific software used to support recruitment, admissions, enrollment tracking, communication, and reporting.

Language Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills required, with the ability to effectively convey information and respond to inquiries from prospective students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders in person, by phone, and in writing. Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, professional correspondence, presentations, reports, and recruitment-related communications.

Mathematical Skills

Demonstrated ability to analyze enrollment and recruitment data, identify trends, interpret reports, and use information to support planning, goal setting, and data-informed decision-making. Ability to draw meaningful conclusions from data and apply insights to improve recruitment effectiveness, student engagement, and enrollment outcomes.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and effectively navigate situations where established procedures may not exist or require adaptation. Ability to interpret and apply instructions presented in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule formats. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in developing, implementing, and managing projects and initiatives. Ability to apply analytical and critical thinking skills to support effective decision-making, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, and communicate effectively with others. The employee must be able to remain stationary for extended periods while working at a computer and participating in meetings. Occasional lifting, carrying, and moving of materials weighing up to twenty-five pounds may be required, particularly in support of recruitment events, orientations, and other Graduate School activities. Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to work effectively with computer screens and written materials.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. The role is primarily performed in an office setting and requires regular use of computers, CRM systems, and standard office equipment. Occasional evening and weekend work, as well as participation in on- and off-campus recruitment, admissions, orientation, and commencement-related events, may be required. Periodic local and regional travel may also be necessary to support recruitment and outreach activities.

Compensation

This is a position with an annual starting salary range of $40,500 to $45,000 depending on circumstances including an applicant’s skills and qualifications, certain degrees and certifications, prior job experience, training, and other relevant factors. Hood College has provided a compensation range representing its good faith estimate of what the College may pay for the position at the time of posting. The College may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. Hood College offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, and tuition benefits. Learn more about Hood College.

To Apply

We invite qualified candidates to apply online via our electronic application, which requires submission of a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for two professional references.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please email humanresources@hood.edu or call (301) 696-3592.