Senior Counselor, Recruitment and Admissions

Position Title & Department: Senior Counselor, Recruitment and Admissions; School of Leadership and Education Sciences

Department Description: Rooted in social justice, led by compassion, inspired by curiosity, driven by a shared vision. Mother Rosalie Hill Hall on the University of San Diego campus is home to the School of Leadership and Education Sciences' (SOLES) vibrant and vision-driven collective of academic departments, centers and institutes. Here, we combine innovation with introspection, academics with real-world application, and study with social impact. Our nationally-accredited programs span the realms of leadership, teaching and counseling, both at graduate and undergraduate levels. They're all approached with an emphasis on social justice, multiculturalism and a determination to forge a better world together.

University Description: The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges. For more information, visit this link.

Detailed Description: The Senior Counselor will assist with all aspects of the professional responsibilities in the Office of Admissions and Outreach at School of Leadership and Education Sciences at the University of San Diego (USD SOLES). General responsibilities will include proactive recruitment and outreach efforts, evaluating and making recommendations on admission applications, serving as a resource in admissions operations, planning, managing and attending recruitment and outreach events, counseling prospective students, planning and implementing special recruitment strategies, representing USD SOLES to prospective students, alumni, and other external constituents, offering admissions presentations to prospects and applicants, and conducting appropriate follow-up via phone, e-mail, and written correspondence to prospects and applicants. The Senior Counselor will work closely with the marketing team to amplify the vision of our graduate programs to deliver compelling outreach to prospective students.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective SOLES students through all stages of the admissions funnel, providing high-touch support via one-on-one meetings, group information sessions, phone, email, and virtual platforms.
• Counsel prospective students about admission program requirements and determining program fit.
• Maintain frequent, high-quality engagement (calls, emails, texts, meetings) to guide students through the application decision-making process.
• Organize and lead recruitment events, including graduate fairs, conferences, and information sessions- representing SOLES and engaging prospective students.
• Manage designated programs' recruitment and enrollment targets; work with the Assistant Dean to analyze data and trends to inform outreach strategies and achieve enrollment goals.
• Review applications (less than 10% of workload) and prepare admissions recommendations based on academic preparedness, professional experience, and alignment with program outcomes; provide context to the admissions committee to inform decisions.
• Collaborate with faculty and marketing to develop and share compelling messaging that communicates program vision, admissions requirements, and program outcomes.
• Track and report on recruitment and admissions activity, meeting defined performance metrics tied to enrollment targets.
• Use CRM tools to manage and analyze prospect pipelines, adjusting strategies to improve results.
• Assist prospective students and applicants in graduate school planning and serve on information session panels to interpret and discuss admission practices/policies.
• Plan, facilitate, and/or attend recruitment, outreach, and onboarding events (virtual and in-person) to connect students with faculty, staff, and alumni. Proactively seek, attend, and/or host events to attract prospective students.
• Oversee the preparation of outreach materials, manage event logistics, collaborate with faculty as appropriate, and ensure all event details are handled effectively.
• Partner with faculty, and alumni to strengthen pipelines and build relationships that advance enrollment goals.
• Coordinate with Academic Program Managers to share insights on admitted students' motivations, goals, and potential concerns, ensuring continuity of advising and a seamless transition into program management.
• Communicate regularly with Academic Program Managers to remain informed about program updates, curriculum changes, and faculty expectations, ensuring prospective and admitted students receive program-specific guidance.
• Collaborate across campus with offices such as the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Services, USD Veterans Affairs and Marketing to ensure a seamless student experience.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid driver's license required.

Special Conditions of Employment: Ability to travel (as needed) and work occasional evenings/weekends for recruitment and enrollment events. Successful completion of a pre-employment background check. Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required. Two years of experience in college admission recruitment required.

Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree (or in process) preferred. Three or more years of experience in college admission recruitment preferred.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of and willingness to learn and work with technology; specifically word processing environments, internet navigation, CRMS, databases, and e-mail correspondence. Understanding of the mission of the university and the school, and willingness to present the stated values. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including interpersonal communication and public speaking skills. Strong time management and organizational skills. Effective problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Strong project management skills. Ability to work independently and also in a team-oriented, collaborative work environment. Ability to remain flexible and versatile in coping with evolving work situations. Ability to create rapport and build relationships. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group settings with a variety of audiences. Ability to communicate in an inclusive and respectful manner. Ability to multi-task and effectively manage competing priorities.

Posting Salary: $5720-5753 per month; Excellent Benefits. The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.

Special Application Instructions: Resume and Cover Letter Required. Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Additional Details: Hours: 37.5 hours per week. Closing date: Open until filled.