Admissions Advisor

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; City of Cortland (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement program options

Tuition reimbursement

Paid family leave

Flexible spending accounts

Long‑term disability

Work-life balance initiatives

Job summary

SUNY Cortland is seeking an Admissions Advisor to support the recruitment, evaluation, and enrollment of prospective first-year and transfer students. You will review applications, travel to high schools and community colleges, present information sessions, and counsel families to advance enrollment goals.

The role emphasizes access and inclusion, requires frequent travel and some evenings/weekends, and collaborates with Financial Aid, Academic Departments, and Marketing to align outreach with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience in higher education, customer service, sales, marketing, or communications.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively.
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate first-year and transfer applications using admissions policies.
• Travel strategically for recruitment and maintain relationships with counselors.
• Develop and deliver campus visits, information sessions, and events.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid, Academic Departments, and Marketing.
• Support admissions operations including document management and events.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Travel willingness

Evenings/weekends availability

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Position Summary

The Admissions Advisor supports the recruitment, evaluation, and enrollment of prospective first-year and transfer students. The position is responsible for application review, recruitment travel, presentations, outreach communications, and individualized counseling to prospective students and families. The Admissions Advisor serves as a representative of SUNY Cortland and contributes to institutional enrollment goals through relationship building, customer service, and data-informed recruitment practices. The Admissions Advisor supports the university’s commitment to access, equity, and inclusion by engaging with and supporting a diverse population of prospective students. Extensive travel and occasional evening and weekend work are required.

Benefits

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many offer permanency.
• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, long‑term disability and tuition reimbursement.
• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work‑life balance and well‑being in all forms. The university’s state‑of‑the‑art Student Life Center is free for employees to use, with membership options for families. Alternate work schedules are available with a supervisor’s approval.
• Professional development opportunities exist through training, continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference travel, based on funding.
• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more.

Major Responsibilities

Admissions Application Review

• Evaluate first‑year and transfer applications using established admissions policies and holistic review practices.
• Exercise professional judgment in making admissions recommendations and decisions.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency in the application review process.

Recruitment Travel and Territory Management

• Manage assigned recruitment territory through strategic travel, outreach, and relationship development with high school and community college counselors.
• Represent SUNY Cortland at college fairs, high school visits, transfer events, and virtual recruitment programs.
• Conduct targeted follow‑up communications with prospective students and families to support enrollment goals.
• Utilize university systems and customer relationship management (CRM) platform to track interactions, execute communication plans, and maintain accurate records.
• Utilize recruitment and enrollment data to support outreach efforts and territory management.
• Develop and maintain relationships with high school counselors, community college personnel, and other key external partners.
• Actively manage prospective student pipeline from inquiry through enrollment, including application completion and yield activities.
• Analyze recruitment and enrollment data to inform outreach strategies and territory management.

Campus Visits, Presentations, and Events

• Serve as an active member of the Admissions Visit Team, contributing to the planning, coordination, implementation, and continuous improvement of all campus visitation programs, such as daily visits, group visits, open houses, and virtual events.
• Develop and deliver engaging group presentations during information sessions and recruitment events.
• Meet individually with prospective students and families to provide personalized guidance.
• Respond to phone, email, and virtual inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

Collaboration and Operations

• Collaborate with Financial Aid, Academic Departments, Marketing and Communications, and other campus partners to support recruitment and enrollment initiatives.
• Assist with admissions operations, including application processing, document management, and event support as needed.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Reports to the Director of Admissions.
• Collaborates with Admissions staff, Financial Aid, Academic Departments, Marketing and Communications, Advisement and Transition Office, and other campus partners.
• Builds and maintains relationships with external stakeholders, including high school counselors, community college partners, and prospective students and families.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrated experience in higher education, customer service, sales, marketing, or communications.
• Effective and strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively.
• Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license at time of hire and throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Professional experience in college admissions, enrollment management, or a related field.
• Experience as a student admissions ambassador, tour guide, orientation leader, or admissions intern.
• Demonstrated ability to establish positive working relationships with diverse populations.
• Experience in admissions application review or a similar decision‑making process.
• Experience with SLATE or another customer service management (CRM) software.
• Experience presenting to groups of varying sizes.
• Familiarity with SUNY or public education systems.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to present effectively to both large and small audiences.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to analyze information and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and recruitment cycles.
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

EEO Statement

SUNY Cortland is an AA/EEO/ADA employer and encourages applications from women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented groups.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae or Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Professional References Contact Info. (minimum of 3)

Optional Documents

None listed.