Director of Admission

PURPOSE

The Director of Admission provides strategic leadership and management for all aspects of a comprehensive admissions program to ensure achievement of Houghton College’s enrollment goals in a manner consistent with the college’s mission and strategic plan. The director employs strong skills in leadership, communication, budget management, and program development in the planning, implementations and assessment of the College's recruitment processes and policies.

Primary responsibilities include the development and supervision of admission personnel; management and employment of data to inform planning and strategy; input into communication strategies including print and electronic media; and management of a highly personalized application review process, including significant one-on-one contact with prospective students and their families.

 CRITICAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Directly supervises: Associate Director of Visitation, the residential undergraduate admission team, indirectly oversight of student workers.  Tasks included in this supervisory role are recruiting, hiring, training, developing, scheduling, and evaluating job performance.
• Contributes to:  various enrollment and marketing initiatives.
• Collaborates with:  marketing, ministry resources, financial aid, athletics, faculty, and other relevant offices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive multi-faceted residential student recruitment process in collaboration with the Chief Officer of Enrollment and Marketing.
• Provide regular and collaborative input into the development of printed and electronic student recruitment materials to ensure that they are effective, updated regularly, and cost efficient.
• Build and coordinate opportunities for faculty, staff, students, and alumni to participate in the student recruitment process.
• Collaborate with other offices to ensure a seamless transition from acceptance to enrollment.
• Ensure that the residential Admission Office operates with smooth efficiency, maintaining a student-centric atmosphere that is user-friendly, service-oriented, and welcoming.
• Recruit, develop, supervise, and evaluate salaried, hourly, and student staff members.  Foster an environment in which employees function comfortably as a team; feel respected and valued; are encouraged and motivated to develop and expand their training and expertise, and we are held accountable for doing their part to achieve enrollment goals.
• Serve as Secretary to Admission Committee and ensure consistent development and adherence to admission policy.  Chair the admission sub-committee.
• Engage in ongoing professional development by participating in relevant workshops, conferences, etc.  Maintaining membership in relevant professional organizations.
• Develop and creatively manage the annual Admission budget, ensuring that expenses do not exceed established parameters and that all appropriate fiscal efficiencies are implemented and achieved.
• Provide oversight and direction for on-campus admission functions such as campus tours, tele-counseling, college fairs, open houses, acceptance days, and other recruitment events.
• Review admissions applications and make decisions based on the guidelines and entrance requirements established by the College.
• Interview and counsel prospective students and their parents.
• Maintain current knowledge of Houghton's curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular programming and student opportunities.
• Work closely with the faculty to promote the various degree programs and secure faculty support for recruitment activities.
• Serve on designated committees.
• Maintain roles and participation in key associations (Allegany County, Western New York, Regional Admissions Committees, NACCAP, CCCU, etc.)
• Oversee recruitment into the Honors program.
• Provide enrollment and other data-based reports to internal and external constituent groups and agencies for planning, accountability, and compliance purposes.  Establishes key leading indicators and effectively monitors.
• Organize, plan, and execute fall and spring recruitment travel.
• Carry out additional reasonable and related responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Officer.

THE COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ASSIGN REASONABLE AND RELATED ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND TO CHANGE OR REASSIGN JOB DUTIES.

STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS

• A master’s degree is required.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible admissions experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the role. 
• Comprehensive working knowledge of current best practices in admissions operations, programs, and services.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of current admissions trends, issues, and strategies.
• Working knowledge of current student recruitment strategies and techniques, including those involving web-based applications and delivery.
• Understanding of higher education curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular objectives and programming.
• Proven planning and program development skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated team leadership and management skills, including ability to evaluate employees and facilitate their training and professional development.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to effectively utilize computer information systems.
• Ability to manage a balanced budget and allocate fiscal resources creatively and wisely. 
• Ability and willingness to travel, including air travel as necessary and appropriate.
• Commitment to the college mission and core values.
• Ability to lift 20 pounds; sedentary work; sitting for extended periods.
• A valid driver's license and ability to travel.

POSITION TYPE: This is a twelve-month, base budget, full-time fiscal year appointment, contingent upon successful performance.

WORK SCHEDULE: Normal Houghton College schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Due to the nature of this position the employee will periodically work evenings, early mornings, weekends and holidays. In consultation with the supervisor the employee with establish regular office hours and adjust the work schedule as appropriate.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Seasonal travel will be required. Work is performed in a typical office environment. Work can be fast-paced in nature and the employee may find it necessary to alter work focus to meet demand. Effective communication with internal and external constituents is recurrent and essential to success.

Houghton College is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body.

Successful candidates will evidence similar commitments.

Application Procedure:

Candidates who make application before February 15, 2021 will be given priority consideration.

To apply please submit the following materials via email to: jobs@houghton.edu.

(1) Cover Letter

(2) Resume

(3) 3 References

(4) Answers to the following questions:

Please review Houghton College’s Vision of Our Common Life and Doctrinal Statement available here:

https://www.houghton.edu/about/college-profile/a-vision-of-our-common-life/

http://www.houghton.edu/spiritual-life/doctrinal-statement/

1. Please provide a brief description of your faith journey, including the nature of your current participation in a local church or fellowship.

2. What motivates you to seek employment with an institution that strives to work together in the manner described in the community covenant?

3. Do you have any questions or concerns regarding either the doctrinal statement or vision of our common life?