Associate Director

The Associate Director leads undergraduate admissions recruitment for first-time freshmen both nationally and within Nebraska. This role coordinates high school visits, college fairs, and outreach with counselors and educators outside Nebraska in primary, secondary, and tertiary markets, under the guidance of the Executive Director of Admissions. The Office of Admissions is part of the Academic Services and Enrollment Management (ASEM) division. As a member of the Admissions Leadership Team, the Associate Director collaborates with peers across the division, leveraging data to guide recruitment efforts and provide leadership to achieve enrollment goals. Responsibilities include analyzing graduation rates in states bordering Nebraska and in key markets.

The Associate Director oversees a recruitment team and directly supervises Assistant Directors. They guide staff to meet enrollment goals and provide regular progress updates to the Executive Director of Admissions. Key responsibilities include training staff in territory management, monitoring performance, and supporting professional growth. This role plans and implements yield activities and territory strategies to convert prospects into enrollments. The Associate Director reviews recruitment data and territory outcomes, making data-driven adjustments to strengthen strategies and increase market share. In collaboration with the Executive Director, Admissions Leadership, and campus partners, the Associate Director develops reports and plans to drive strategy and achieve enrollment targets.

The Associate Director exercises independent judgment in interpreting admissions policies, making recruitment decisions, and overseeing functional initiatives aligned with strategic priorities. The position collaborates with units within ASEM and across campus to align recruitment objectives with university initiatives. Additionally, the Associate Director works closely with Visitor Experience to ensure effective resource allocation for recruitment events and activities, and builds strong relationships with high school counselors, community contacts, and key influencers to expand student access and support recruitment. As needed, this role provides leadership support to the broader admissions team and may serve as a proxy for the Executive Director of Admissions.

Regular travel, including evenings and weekends, is required.

This position is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, and provides leadership for the national recruitment team, with travel to key recruitment markets across the country expected.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 4 years of professional experience in recruitment, enrollment management, admissions, enrollment marketing, or other related fields
• Demonstrated experience in public speaking and delivering presentations
• Experience supervising professional staff, including responsibility for performance management and team development
• Experience using Salesforce or another customer relationship management (CRM) system to inform strategy and track outcomes
• Ability to analyze and interpret recruitment or enrollment data to inform strategic decisions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports and present information to stakeholders
• Knowledge of undergraduate admissions recruitment, operations and procedures
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders
• Event planning and coordination skills
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision or administrative support
• Willingness to travel
• Must have a valid driver's license and meet University driver eligibility requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership of cross-departmental recruitment initiatives or strategic enrollment projects
• Track record of achieving or exceeding enrollment targets at a mid- to large-size public university
• Proficiency in territory management and yield strategy within an admissions setting
• Skill in organizing or facilitating large-scale recruitment events or outreach programs
• Strong background in training and mentoring professional staff in admissions recruitment
• Knowledge of the state of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL)
• Experience in national recruitment at a large public university
• Familiarity with UNL's high school and college relations operations and procedures
• Knowledge of high-achieving student recruitment strategies
• In-depth knowledge of UNL and its enrollment landscape
• Familiarity with UNL's University Honors Programs