Assistant Director of Admission

Department: Undergraduate Admission
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Job Summary:

As an assistant director of admission, you will play a central part in recruiting and evaluating full-time first-year and transfer applicants to advance Northwestern's undergraduate enrollment goals. Serving a regional admissions territory, this position develops expertise on high schools and other important contextual considerations in the region; plans and implements strategic recruitment practices; provides detailed and nuanced counseling to students, families, and counselors; leads large-scale presentations on Northwestern and selective admissions for diverse audiences in-person and online; and reviews applications, exercising discretion in handling confidential admission materials. Beyond recruitment and application review, this position also holds significant functional-area responsibilities with a focus on one or more of the following areas: recruitment (including domestic, international, and transfer), outreach & access, visitor engagement, communications, operations, academic partnerships (including counselor relations), and staff training & development. These responsibilities may include: managing projects, coordinating events, reporting and assessing outcomes, and overseeing student employees. You will join a collaborative, student-centered team who celebrate innovative approaches in higher ed, and who find joy and pride in admissions work

Please note: Some evenings and weekend work required Frequent travel by airplane. 4-6 weeks annual travel, frequently outside Illinois required. Ability to lift 20-pound boxes of recruitment materials.

Specific Responsibilities:

• As part of a regional team, manage a regional recruitment territory. Develop expertise on high schools and other important contextual considerations in the region. Plan and execute outreach activities to meet University enrollment goals and University strategic plan. Develop, implement and assess strategic recruitment by targeting schools, programs, and students within territory. Build and maintain productive working relationships with college counselors and community based organizations (CBOs) to establish a successful recruitment campaign. Undertake annual reporting and trend analysis to track, evaluate, report, and strategize around relevant recruitment statistics. Organize high school visits, college nights, on-campus events and other strategic recruitment events. Out-of-town travel 4-5 weeks in the fall with other local and out-of-town travel as assigned.
• Lead on-campus information sessions as on-duty director in visitors center on rotational basis, as well as regular online sessions as part of our virtual recruitment series. Answer student/family queries by phone, email, and in person.
• Staff ad hoc information sessions and recruitment events throughout the admissions cycle.
• As a member of the admission committee, review and recommend an admission decision for a minimum of 1,800 first-year and transfer applications. Demonstrate sound grasp of institutional practices and priorities during the application evaluation process and exercise impeccable time management to plan and organize reading targets around staff-wide deadlines. Must exercise reliable, independent judgment to interpret and apply University admissibility guidance to advance enrollment goals.
• Beyond the recruitment and application review undertaken by all admissions directors, manage a functional-area portfolio. Responsibilities entail: managing projects, coordinating events, building reports and outcome-assessments, and overseeing student employees. This functional-area work will focus on one or more of the following areas: recruitment (including domestic, international, and transfer), outreach & access, visitor engagement, communications, operations, academic partnerships (including counselor relations), and staff training & development. Some functional area responsibilities will be outlined upon start date while others may be assigned throughout the cycle, and all responsibilities will be reviewed annually.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree
• 1 - 3 years' experience in college admission/recruiting, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in administration, project management, customer service, public relations, supervision, and/or event coordination.
• Valid driver's license & and willingness to undertake frequent business travel by plane.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills.
• Strong speaking/communication skills and ability to speak effectively before audiences of up to 500 or more.
• Ability to work effectively with time and volume pressures. Must be able to meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate inclusively with diverse audiences and stakeholders including fellow admissions staff, prospective students and their families, counselors and other educators, alumni, and campus partners.
• Ability to meet department and University goals.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours including evenings and weekends.
• Independent judgment, discretion and diplomacy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Northwestern
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies and software.
• Keen attention to detail and strong critical thinking skills.
• Commitment to college access.
• Strong judgement and diplomatic instincts with a range of audiences.
• Curiosity, collaborative spirit, and a sense of humor.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Database or CRM management; familiarity with Slate Technolutions CRM preferred.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $57,000-$62,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.