Vice President for Enrollment

About Maine College of Art & Design

Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) seeks a strategic, data-informed, and collaborative Vice President for Enrollment to serve as the College’s chief enrollment officer.

Located in the heart of Portland’s vibrant Arts District, MECA&D is a nationally recognized college of art and design that fosters a diverse, inclusive, and creative learning community. The College is committed to educating artists and designers for life—empowering creative thinkers to make art, make an impact, and inspire change.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the President and serving on the senior executive team and President’s Cabinet, the Vice President for Enrollment provides strategic leadership for all aspects of student recruitment, admission, financial aid, and enrollment operations.

This role develops and executes multi-year, data-informed enrollment strategies to meet institutional goals for new student enrollment, retention, and net tuition revenue across undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and online programs. The Vice President aligns enrollment strategy with academic priorities, institutional mission, and long-term financial sustainability, while leading a team of enrollment professionals in a dynamic higher-education environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Enrollment Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year enrollment strategy aligned with institutional mission, strategic priorities, and budget objectives.
• Establish enrollment targets and forecasting models to support sustainable new student enrollment and net tuition revenue goals.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President and Cabinet on enrollment trends, market positioning, pricing strategy, tuition discount rate management, and financial modeling.

Admissions & Recruitment Oversight

• Oversee undergraduate, graduate, online, and other program enrollment efforts, including admissions operations, recruitment travel, communications strategy, and yield initiatives.
• Lead application review processes and ensure equitable, mission-aligned admissions practices.
• Represent the College with secondary schools, community colleges, community organizations, professional associations, and strategic partners to strengthen recruitment pipelines.

Financial Aid Strategy & Compliance

• Direct student financial aid strategy, including policy development, packaging methodology, and responsible stewardship of institutional aid resources.
• Balance access, affordability, and net revenue objectives through effective financial aid leveraging and tuition discount management.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations governing admissions and financial aid, including Title IV administration, audits, and reporting requirements.

Data, Analytics & Market Intelligence

• Lead development and application of enrollment forecasting models, predictive analytics, and market research to inform strategic planning.
• Analyze enrollment and revenue trends to proactively mitigate institutional risk related to enrollment volatility.
• Prepare and present enrollment projections, financial models, and performance metrics to senior leadership and governing boards.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate enrollment leadership and staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Partner closely with Academic Affairs, Student Life, Marketing & Communications, and other campus stakeholders to ensure a cohesive student experience from inquiry through graduation.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets and allocate resources in alignment with institutional priorities.

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications / Experience / Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in enrollment management or a closely related area within higher education.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing multi-year enrollment strategies that achieve measurable growth in new student enrollment and net tuition revenue.
• Experience leading admissions and financial aid operations, including recruitment strategy, financial aid leveraging, tuition discount rate management, and enrollment forecasting.
• Experience overseeing compliance with federal and state regulations related to admissions and financial aid, including Title IV administration, audits, and reporting requirements.
• Experience managing enrollment technologies, including CRM systems (e.g., Slate or comparable platforms), student information systems, and financial aid management systems.
• Strong strategic planning and financial acumen, including the ability to interpret enrollment trends and tuition revenue models.
• Demonstrated ability to translate predictive modeling and market research into actionable enrollment strategies.
• Experience preparing and presenting complex enrollment and financial data to executive leadership and governing boards.
• Demonstrated ability to build, mentor, and sustain high-performing teams.
• Ability to lead through change and navigate complex institutional environments with sound judgment and discretion.
• Commitment to ethical enrollment practices, equity, access, and inclusive recruitment strategies.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

What We Offer

This is a full-time, exempt, 12-month executive leadership position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and institutional scope.

Benefits include healthcare, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plan with employer contribution; generous paid time off; and additional benefits.

Essential Functions & Work Environment

This position requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with applicable federal and state law. Essential functions include leading strategic planning processes; analyzing enrollment and financial data; supervising and evaluating staff; communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders; representing the College at recruitment events and professional meetings; and operating standard office technology and enrollment management systems.

The role operates primarily in an on-site executive administrative environment with regular interaction with faculty, staff, students, prospective students, families, governing board members, and community partners. Periodic travel is required for recruitment, partnership development, and professional conferences. The position involves extended periods of sitting, standing, computer use, and occasional lifting of recruitment materials (generally up to 20–25 pounds).

Ready to Apply?

To apply, please submit the following as a single PDF:

• A cover letter describing your interest and alignment with the position
• A current résumé or CV
• A list of three to five professional references, including at least one former supervisor

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

If a reasonable accommodation is required to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access employment benefits, please contact Human Resources at hr@meca.edu.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Maine College of Art & Design is committed to fostering a welcoming and respectful environment where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed based on their talents, qualifications, and achievements. We uphold the principles of fairness, merit, and equal opportunity in our academic and professional community.

The College complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, ancestry, religion, genetic predisposition, familial status, receipt of a final protection order, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of the College’s educational programs, admissions, employment, financial aid, and other institutionally administered programs.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply, and selection decisions are made based on individual merit and institutional needs.