Associate Director for Graduate and Professional Recruitment and Education Initiatives

About the Job

The Associate Director for Graduate and Professional Recruitment and Education Initiatives leads graduate-level recruitment strategies and enrollment initiatives across the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) while supporting key academic processes that ensure student success from matriculation through degree completion. The role drives data-informed recruitment planning, manages outreach and pipeline development, initiates and coordinates CEHD units to provide activities that promote prospective student engagement. In addition, the Associate Director supports the work of the CEHD Graduate Education team on projects and processes integral to graduate and professional education for the college. The position reports to the Director of Graduate and Professional Education Initiatives.

The application deadline will be on Friday, May 29, 2026.

Occasional travel is required for this position. A valid driver's license or reliable transportation is required.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Major Responsibilities

Recruitment Strategy, Planning, and Academic Unit Collaboration (70%)

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive, data-driven recruitment plans aligned with enrollment and net-revenue goals for research-based, professional, and online programs across the college.
• Partner with all seven academic units to ensure recruitment strategies reflect program-specific goals, timelines, and student profiles.
• Use market research, enrollment trends, and performance analytics to evaluate recruitment effectiveness and refine tactics.
• Collaborate with CEHD Marketing & Communications’ Digital Marketing Manager to design segmented, multichannel outreach campaigns and best-practice electronic recruitment communications.
• Build and maintain pipelines for prospective students, including UMN alumni, CEHD undergraduates, Minnesota institutions, and national partners.
• Design and implement outreach plans that move prospective students from inquiry to application submission.
• Build and oversee virtual and in-person recruitment events, including occasional travel for on-site engagements and presentations to prospective students and others.
• Support the implementation and optimization of recruitment technologies such as CRM systems, automated workflows, and chatbots.
• Develop and manage prospect-to-enrollment workflows to strengthen cross-functional communication and alignment.
• Recruit, train, and supervise Alumni and Student Ambassadors; set goals, monitor performance, and provide ongoing professional development.
• Develop and maintain recruitment playbooks and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Manage the graduate recruitment operations budget, track spending, assess ROI, and adjust strategies based on performance data.
• Develop and maintain liaison relationships with the Graduate School Admissions Office and undergraduate contacts across the UMN system and outside institutions.

Scholarship Coordination (10%)

• Provide leadership and support for the administration of college and university-level graduate scholarships and awards.
• Manage review and disbursement of college-level awards.
• Support administration and reporting for the university-wide Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF), Grants to Advance Graduate Education (GAGE), and Provost Enhancement Funds.

Special Projects (10%)

• Coordinate the CEHD Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, including workshops, scheduling, judging coordination, and overseeing the event on CEHD Research Day.
• Participate in CEHD Commencement planning and lead projects as needed for the commencement planning committee.
• Support additional projects as assigned.

Program Administration and Student Progress (10%)

• Support graduate and professional students from matriculation through degree clearance, resolving complex issues related to academic progress.
• Approve and track Leaves of Absence (LOAs), time extensions, and GRAD 999 enrollment compliance.
• Review and approve committee workflows for oral preliminary and final exams on behalf of the college.
• Serve as a point of contact for faculty, staff, and students regarding University and CEHD graduate policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BA/BA degree plus at least six years of relevant experience, or master’s degree plus at least four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, public policy, business, or a related field or a BS/BA and at least ten years of higher education recruitment, admissions, and student services experience.
• Experience developing and executing recruitment or enrollment-management strategies in a higher-education setting.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, interpret market trends, and use analytics to inform decision-making.
• Experience with CRM systems, marketing automation tools, or student-lifecycle technologies.
• Strong understanding of graduate education structures, policies, and academic processes.
• Experience supervising student or professional staff, including training and performance management.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners.
• Experience managing budgets and assessing return on investment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and supporting a diverse graduate student population.