Director of Admissions

Job #: 042881

Location: Syracuse, NY

Pay Range: $95,000 - $108,000

Hours: Standard University business hours 8:30am - 5:00pm (academic year) 8:00am - 4:30pm (summer). Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type: Full Time

Job Description:

The Director of Admissions is a key member of the Falk College management team and develops and leads undergraduate and graduate admissions strategies for the College, overseeing recruitment, yield, and enrollment initiatives to attract a highly qualified student population in alignment with institutional enrollment goals. Strong leadership, communication, and data-driven decision-making skills are essential.

An innovative and thoughtful leader will bring creative and data-informed perspectives to form a cohesive, integrated and collaborative admissions and recruitment function. The Director oversees the implementation of strategic processes and practices to optimize new student enrollment and establishes the overall direction of the Colleges recruitment efforts.

The Director will collaborate extensively with the communications team to help coordinate marketing initiatives and social media opportunities. They are responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication plans for prospective and admitted students and their families, utilizing multiple channels including email, phone, web, social media, virtual programming, and in-person engagement.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree required, Masters degree preferred and a minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in college admissions or enrollment management, including at least 2-3 years in a leadership/supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding enrollment targets, managing teams, and using data to drive decisions.
• Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to engage with key stakeholder groups

Skills and Knowledge:

• Provides direction & oversight of the admission recruitment cycle and student enrollment, overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of recruitment activities.
• Relevant and demonstrable management experience to support CRM and other application systems such as Slate, Peoplesoft Hyperion, Microsoft Office Suite
• A valid drivers license is required. Ability to work flexible hours (evenings and weekends) and travel during peak recruitment seasons.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate comprehensive recruitment and admissions strategies to achieve or surpass undergraduate and graduate enrollment goals.
• Oversee the planning and execution of high impact recruitment activities, including high school/community college visits, college fairs, virtual and in-person information sessions, campus tours, open houses, and targeted marketing campaigns.
• Manage the full admissions cycle - inquiry management, application review, holistic evaluation, admission decision processes, and timely, personalized communication with applicants.
• Cultivate strong partnerships with prospective students, families, school counselors, alumni, internal and external stakeholders to promote Falk College academic programs and opportunities to drive inquiry generation leading to applicant matriculation.
• Leverage CRM systems (e.g., Slate), enrollment dashboards, and predictive modeling to monitor pipelines, forecast yields, identify opportunities/risks, and deliver actionable reports and presentations to senior leadership.
• Work closely with faculty, financial aid, student services and other Syracuse University units to facilitate smooth student transitions and support retention initiatives.
• Partner with University & College Marketing and Communications to develop compelling marketing material, digital campaigns, social media strategies, websites, and presentations that effectively showcase Falk Colleges unique strengths, faculty expertise, hands-on learning opportunities, research, internships, and outstanding career outcomes to yield enrollment.
• Hire, train, supervise, mentor, and evaluate the team of admissions staff, including the undergraduate student ambassador program and graduate students. Provide leadership and strategic direction for the team, managing department operations and budget, staff performance, and continuous improvement efforts to achieve College and department objectives. Promote a collaborative, results-oriented, and service excellence culture.
• Collaborate with the Falk College Advancement Office to develop and support parent giving strategies, cultivating and stewarding parent donor relationships that strengthen philanthropic engagement and supports the Colleges strategic enrollment, development, and fundraising priorities
• Partner with Falk faculty and staff and central admissions to coordinate visits and events for prospective student engagement. Serve and the liaison to Undergraduate Admissions, the Graduate School and Falk academic departments connecting prospective students with faculty, staff, and current students for recruitment efforts. Participate in enrollment-related meetings and committees