"Associate Director of Recruitment and Special Initiatives"

Associate Director of Recruitment and Special Initiatives

Company: The University of Olivet

Job Location:

Category: Admissions and Enrollment

Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment/Director of Admissions, the Associate Director of Recruitment and Special Initiatives drives undergraduate enrollment, especially in Art, Choral Music, and Instrumental Music, while steering signature programs such as Olivet Direct!. This role develops innovative strategies to attract talented students in Art, Choral Music, and Instrumental Music and manages a small domestic recruitment territory with limited international outreach to hit university targets. Successful candidates champion higher-education access, value the fine arts within a liberal arts context, and serve as persuasive ambassadors for Olivet’s programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Own Music & Art recruitment from strategy through yield, acting as primary liaison to faculty and ensuring personalized applicant support.
• Oversee and expand special enrollment initiatives, such as the Olivet Direct! program.
• Build and nurture relationships with external and internal partners, including Olivet Direct! Schools and organizations.
• Use data-driven insights to improve recruitment strategies and adjust tactics in response to market trends or University objectives
• Manage recruitment within an assigned domestic geographic territory (and assist with international markets) through travel, events, and data-informed follow-up.
• Lead signature initiatives (e.g., Olivet Direct!, diversity pipelines) including partner cultivation, agreement execution, and ROI tracking.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to admissions counselors, student ambassadors, and other staff involved in recruitment activities.
• Stay informed about best practices in admissions and higher-education, marketing, and bring fresh ideas to the recruitment team.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s a plus (arts, education, marketing, or similar)
• 3+ years admissions/recruitment experience, ideally within performing/fine arts
• Proven record hitting enrollment targets using CRM and data analytics
• Confident presenter and relationship-builder across cultures and constituencies
• Valid driver’s license and passport; willing to travel, work evenings/weekends
• Hands-on Slate (or similar) CRM expertise (preferred)
• Experience negotiating direct-admission or other agreements (preferred)
• Background as a musician, artist, or arts advocate (preferred)
• A genuine enthusiasm for The University of Olivet’s mission and values.

By fulfilling these responsibilities and qualifications, the Associate Director of Recruitment and Special Initiatives will play a pivotal role in shaping incoming classes – particularly enriching the campus community with talented fine arts students – and advancing The University of Olivet’s strategic enrollment objectives. The position balances creative initiative with targeted outreach, focusing on local/domestic impact while maintaining a global perspective through occasional international engagement.

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