Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management

Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management

The Catholic University of America

Washington, D.C.

The Catholic University of America was founded in 1887 by the U.S. Catholic bishops and is the national university of the Church in the United States. It is the only American university established by papal charter, and the only American university with ecclesiastical faculties granting canonical degrees in three disciplines - theology, philosophy, and canon law. Today the University is home to 12 schools and 32 research facilities, as well as 3,100 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students from across the United States and around the world. The Catholic University of America is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., a short distance from Capitol Hill, the Library of Congress, and the National Mall. 

The Position

The Catholic University of America seeks an experienced enrollment professional to fill the position of Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management. Reporting to the Vice President, Enrollment Management and Marketing, the Associate Vice President will work collaboratively with the enrollment leadership team to provide strategic leadership, vision, and direction to the entire enrollment division.  Specifically, the AVP will directly oversee and manage the overall planning, administration and operational activities of enrollment services, which includes several offices and services: university registrar and constituent services; student accounts and billing; and enrollment management systems and operations.

The Division of Enrollment Management and Marketing includes 70 employees in the offices of undergraduate admission, student financial services, enrollment services, enrollment systems and operations, and marketing and communications.

The associate vice president leads the 27 professionals on the enrollment services and enrollment systems and operations teams, directly supervising three director-level staff. The new AVP will help to establish university priorities for student records, registration, and student accounts. The Associate Vice President also oversees enrollment management operations, providing guidance where necessary and serving as the senior liaison with Technology Services on all divisional projects. Critically, the chosen candidate will consult on committees, boards, and on issues of institutional importance (including the retention committee and the executive committee of the administrative council) and will maintain, enhance and cultivate strong professional relationships with key partners across the university.

Responsibilities and Priorities

The expectations for the Associate Vice President require that the successful candidate possess the ability and experience to accomplish the following responsibilities and priorities in these key areas:

University Leadership

• Serve as a senior leader within the Enrollment Management and Marketing Division, represent the division on university-wide committees, and manage operational details and long-term strategic initiatives as it relates to enrollment services and operations.
• Collaborate with undergraduate admission and student financial assistance on the university’s strategic enrollment objectives.
• Work independently, diplomatically, and intelligently to resolve problems, perform complex functions, and establish priorities.
• In partnership with university colleagues, plan, develop, and implement functions, projects, policies, and procedures that serve the entire institution.
• Plan strategically and analyze effectively with budgeting, financial, and business acumen.
• Support the mission and vision of The Catholic University of America.

Enrollment Services and Operations

• Establish university priorities, provide leadership, evaluation, and strategic vision for enrollment services.
• Support internal and external constituents with processing, registration, academic records, student accounts, and technological solutions; responsible for the maintenance of the official records of current and past students.
• Oversee university billing, invoicing, refunds, collections, payments to and from consortium institutions, compliance with Federal Programs, IRS reporting, and VA certification.
• Ensure the university’s compliance to federal regulations including FERPA, and the calculation and accuracy of student bills and refunds.
• Certify all university degrees and manage enrollment records for all Catholic University students, past and present.
• Oversee the processing of undergraduate and graduate applications, the hosting of graduate admission applications, and support the processing of financial aid applications.
• Ensure a culture of service excellence and responsiveness to all internal and external constituents, including faculty and staff colleagues, as well as students and parents.

Supervision

• Inspire, mentor, and motivate members of the team with an open and flexible spirit, personal compassion, approachability, and the willingness to listen to all.
• Provide effective leadership by fostering a stable, cohesive, and transparent environment.
• Serve as an advocate and mentor; promote professional development, provide

clear direction and hold staff accountable; assess and capitalize on the strengths of a talented and hard-working team.

• Prioritize effective communication  to maintain an environment of trust, transparency, and mutual respect.

Partnership, Collaboration and Communication

• Develop strong, collaborative relationships with members of the campus community; serve as a liaison between the greater institution and the enrollment management and marketing division to advance strategic goals, serve as a resource, and offer input as necessary.
• Work with internal and external staff and constituents to oversee the resolution of student issues as they arise.
• Interact with peers at other institutions of higher education and others in the technological and enrollment fields to learn best practices.

Technology, Systems and Data

• Possess in-depth knowledge of student information and customer relationship management systems (experience with PeopleSoft and/or TargetX is preferred).
• Manage and analyze current system processes and information technology needs; identify opportunities for improvements to current processes and systems, and implement new processes as necessary.
• Partner with university colleagues to maximize the institution’s use of technology to ensure effective and efficient processes and meet strategic and operational goals.

Qualifications, Abilities and Characteristics

The Associate Vice President will be a competent and confident professional who embraces a team environment and works with colleagues in a spirit of partnership and transparency. Candidates for this position should possess ten years of professional experience with at least four years in a leadership position in Enrollment Services, Enrollment Management, or as Registrar, as well as an earned Master’s degree or higher.  In addition, the Associate Vice President should exhibit the following personal and professional qualities and characteristics:

• Knowledge of current trends and practices, as well as the capacity to understand the complex issues facing higher education and the ability to develop strategies and processes that support the institution’s academic and student-centered agendas.
• Decision-making experience in complex organizations and the ability to manage change in a complex educational institution.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead and supervise a large and diverse portfolio of human and fiscal resources.
• Commitment to the value of diversity and the mission of a national, urban, Catholic research university.

• Experience interacting with administrators at all levels and willingness to work collaboratively across campus departments and divisions; an appreciation for the central role of deans and faculty at the university.
• Proficient with enrollment technology and an understanding of large student information/administration systems; experience with PeopleSoft and TargetX Sales Force is preferred.
• Sophisticated understanding of the value of technological innovations and ability to leverage technology investments that can support the processes within a university.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to be empathetic, a strong listener, and responsive; valuing and assuring service excellence for all students and colleagues.
• Open and collaborative leadership style that builds trust and strong relationships.
• Experience in and a demonstrated commitment to working with diverse student populations and/or in a culturally diverse work and educational environment.
• An appetite to lead change, coupled with patience to collaborate with all constituents and levels of the organization in the implementation of new strategies, processes or methodologies.
• Ability to facilitate productivity in a structured environment while encouraging a culture of openness and flexibility to easily allow for modifications.

The Catholic University of America

The Catholic University of America serves as the one and only national university of the Catholic Church in the United States.  Founded in 1887 as a papally-chartered graduate and research center, the University began offering undergraduate education in 1904.  Catholic University consists of ten schools that award both undergraduate and advanced degrees:  Architecture and planning, arts and sciences, business, engineering, performing and fine arts, nursing, philosophy, professional studies, social work, and theology and religious studies.  In addition, advanced degrees are also awarded in the School of Canon Law and the Columbus School of Law.  Approximately 3,100 undergraduates combine a base curriculum in the liberal arts with more in-depth courses from their major fields of study. Undergraduate students in all majors can find semester, year-long or summer-only opportunities for study on five continents and at The Rome Center of The Catholic University of America. 

The University also serves approximately 2,300 students seeking advanced degrees, including canonical degrees in canon law, philosophy, and theology.  Theological College, the University seminary, prepares men for the priesthood who come from many dioceses of the United States.

Many first-time visitors to campus are captivated by the University’s expansive 176 tree-lined, rolling acres, which contains 48 major buildings and residence halls, with more than 2,000 students living on campus. The campus is the largest and greenest of any college or university in Washington, D.C., and the skyline is dominated by the adjacent majestic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Roman Catholic church in North America. 

Students have numerous opportunities for participation.  There are over 90 clubs and organizations that thrive on campus.  The Office of Campus Ministry offers numerous opportunities for faith development as well as community service and social justice education in the Washington, D.C. area, in the greater United States, and abroad. As one of the nation’s premier Division III athletic institutions, the Catholic University Cardinals attract student-athletes who make academics a top priority and value the opportunity to enrich that experience by competing in 25 intercollegiate and numerous club-level sports.

To learn more about the University, go to https://www.catholic.edu/index.html.

The Catholic University of America Mission Statement

As the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States, founded and sponsored by the bishops of the country with the approval of the Holy See, The Catholic University of America is committed to being a comprehensive Catholic and American institution of higher learning, faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ as handed on by the Church.

Dedicated to advancing the dialogue between faith and reason, The Catholic University of America seeks to discover and impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research, all in service to the Church, the nation and the world.

Location

Catholic University is located in both a powerful and historic city, and surrounded by lush, green landscapes and cherry blossoms. Situated just three miles north of Capitol Hill in the heart of the Brookland neighborhood, Catholic University’s campus, the largest in Washington, D.C., provides a residential oasis for Catholic’s students, all looking for a distinctive educational experience rooted in a deeper meaning.

Between the Brookland and Edgewood neighborhoods that surround Catholic University, families can find a wealth of activities, from live music to nearby historic Bunker Hill Park, to educational and social opportunities. Stepping beyond Brookland and into the heart of Washington D.C., students and employees will find access to the nation’s capital as a learning laboratory, a world-class cultural center, and the heart of the nation’s political life.  Washington, D.C., is a city of politics, parades, festivals, museums, professional sports, theatres, concerts, shopping, parks, restaurants, monuments, waterways, and trendy neighborhoods. Catholic University’s own Metro stop makes it easy to get around the city and connect to everything that Washington D.C. has to offer.  It is only three stops away from Union Station, offering commuting services to surrounding states as well as full Amtrak transit services.

To Apply

Applications, nominations, and inquiries for the position of Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management should be directed to Napier Executive Search.  To arrange for a confidential conversation, please contact Laura Robinson (Laura.Robinson@napiersearch.com) or Mary Napier (mary.napier@napiersearch.com).  An application must include a detailed letter of interest, an up-to-date resume, and contact information for three professional references.  Please submit all application materials by email on or before March 1 to: catholic@napiersearch.com for assurance of full consideration.  Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.  All applications and nominations will be considered confidential and notice will be given prior to contacting references.

The Catholic University of America does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational or employment programs or activities in which it participates.

All applicants must be supportive of the mission of The Catholic University of America.