UMD Executive Director of Admissions

Translate Strategic Enrollment Management priorities into actionable recruitment plans and measurable outcomes.

Advise university leadership on enrollment trends, demographic shifts, market conditions, recruitment performance, and competitor activity to inform institutional decision-making

Facilitate the development, communication, and assessment of undergraduate enrollment targets in partnership with academic leadership and campus stakeholders

Collaborate with the Office of Institutional Research, the budget & analysis office, and external partners to develop enrollment projections, scenario modeling, tuition revenue analysis, and long-range enrollment planning

Lead enrollment analysis related to recruitment performance, student behavior, market trends, and enrollment funnel outcomes to support strategic planning and financial sustainability

Contribute to institutional discussions related to enrollment strategy, academic planning, resource allocation, and long-term university priorities

Recruitment and Student Conversion (20%)

• Lead recruitment strategy for first-year, transfer, and international student populations through territory management, market expansion, lead generation, and outreach initiatives
• Develop strategies that strengthen application generation, student conversion, yield, and enrollment outcomes
• Partner with Enrollment Marketing and Communications to align recruitment strategy, communications, market positioning, and prospective student engagement
• Collaborate with Financial Aid and Scholarships to inform financial aid leveraging and optimization strategies in consultation with the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment Management and the budget & analysis office
• Coordinate cross-functional recruitment efforts with strategic enrollment management, academic, student life, and other campus partners to strengthen enrollment outcomes and the prospective student experience
• Provide strategic oversight of international recruitment in partnership with International Programs and Services, and collaborate with graduate and professional programs to strengthen recruitment strategies and advance enrollment growth across student populations
• Partner with University Marketing and Public Relations to ensure alignment between recruitment strategy, institutional messaging, and brand positioning

Partnerships and Pathways (20%)

• Develop and strengthen partnerships with school districts, community colleges, community organizations, and other external partners to support recruitment, educational access, and enrollment goals
• Advance transfer pathways, articulation agreements, and other partnership models that strengthen long-term enrollment opportunities
• Provide strategic leadership for the integration of Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), College in the Schools, and related outreach initiatives as organizational responsibilities evolve
• Align campus outreach, youth engagement, and pathway initiatives with institutional enrollment priorities to strengthen long-term recruitment pipelines and institutional awareness
• Partner with academic leadership to align recruitment strategies with workforce needs, evolving student interests, academic program priorities, and future program development

Enterprise Modernization and Operational Excellence (20%)

• Provide strategic leadership for undergraduate admissions operations, including recruitment operations, application processing, analysis, territory management, and visit programs
• Lead modernization of admissions systems, operational processes, policies, communication strategies, and organizational workflows to improve effectiveness and scalability
• Ensure effective use of CRM systems, enrollment technologies, data infrastructure, and performance metrics to support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement
• Utilize data analysis and enrollment insights to evaluate recruitment effectiveness, identify opportunities, and improve organizational performance across the enrollment funnel
• Lead process improvement initiatives and evaluate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to strengthen recruitment strategy, operational effectiveness, and the prospective student experience
• Manage budgets, staffing models, and resource allocation to support organizational priorities and enrollment outcomes

Organizational Leadership and Talent Development (10%)

• Provide strategic leadership and organizational direction across the admissions enterprise
• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain a high-performing admissions team while fostering collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Establish a distributed leadership model with clear ownership and decision-making across functional areas
• Assess organizational structure and recommend improvements that enhance effectiveness, scalability, succession planning, and future organizational capacity

Community and External Engagement (10%)

• Represent the university in regional, state, and national organizations, professional associations, and strategic partnerships
• Serve as a spokesperson for admissions, enrollment, and recruitment initiatives through media interviews, public communications, and community engagement
• Represent the university in public discussions related to admissions strategy, student access, and institutional enrollment growth
• Strengthen relationships with school counselors, school and district leaders, employers, alumni, civic leaders, community organizations, and educational partners to advance the university's visibility, recruitment efforts, and strategic partnerships

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission, goals, and strategic priorities of the unit, division, and university.

Please include a resume and cover letter to be considered. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, apply by August 24, 2026.

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

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree plus at least 12 years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least 10 years of relevant experience
  
  
• Progressive leadership experience in admissions, enrollment management, recruitment, student services, or related higher education functions
• Experience leading strategic initiatives, operational planning, or organizational projects within a complex organization
• Experience leading professional staff, teams, or cross functional initiatives.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship building skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in higher education, business, public administration/policy, or a related field
• Experience serving as the chief admissions officer, Director of Admissions, or in an equivalent senior leadership role leading undergraduate admissions
• Experience leading enrollment growth initiatives and improving net tuition revenue outcomes
• Experience developing enrollment projections, scenario modeling, or long range enrollment planning in collaboration with institutional partners
• Experience with international recruitment strategy and global enrollment initiatives
• Experience developing strategies that strengthen application generation, student conversion, yield, and enrollment outcomes
• Experience facilitating undergraduate enrollment target development in partnership with academic leadership and campus stakeholders
• Experience partnering with graduate and professional program leaders to support recruitment strategy or enrollment growth
• Experience overseeing dual enrollment, College in the Schools/PSEO, or other early pipeline initiatives
• Experience developing strategic partnerships with employers, community organizations, or regional partners
• Experience leading organizational modernization, process improvement, change management, or implementation of data informed technologies, including CRM systems and AI supported tools, to improve organizational effectiveness and strategic decision making
• Experience representing an institution through public presentations, media interactions, or external partnership settings
  

About the Department

The Office of Admissions is part of the University of Minnesota Duluth's Division of Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) and leads the university's admissions enterprise. The office is responsible for undergraduate recruitment, including first-year, transfer, international, and specialized recruitment populations; admissions operations and processing; campus visits and guest relations; admissions analytics; CRM strategy and management; enrollment pathways; and strategic partnerships that support student recruitment and enrollment. Through a talented team of approximately 20 professional and student employees, Admissions serves as one of the university's primary points of connection with prospective students and their families, creating personalized experiences that help students discover, choose, and enroll at UMD.

Strategic Enrollment Management is an integrated division that partners across the university to advance enrollment, student success, and institutional vitality. Guided by commitments to access, excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement, SEM brings together Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Enrollment Marketing and Communications, Institutional Research, the Office of the Registrar, and the Bulldog Resource Center/One Stop Student Services to support students from their first interaction with UMD through graduation. Through data-informed decision-making, innovative technologies, strategic partnerships, and student-centered services, SEM works collaboratively with academic and administrative leaders to strengthen enrollment, enhance the student experience, and support the university's long-term success.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $106,000 per year – $130,000 per year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.