Assistant Director of Campus Visits and Outreach (On-site)

University of California Merced; California; On-site; USD 79,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Merced is seeking an Assistant Director of Campus Visits and Outreach to design and lead comprehensive programs that support undergraduate recruitment, yield, and student engagement.

In this role you will supervise the Welcome Center and a large student workforce, coordinate campus tours and outreach events, advise prospective students, and collaborate with Marketing and Admissions to optimize messaging and reporting across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area from an accredited institution.
• Advanced degree in Higher Education, Leadership, or Student Development, or related field from an accredited institution. Preferred
• Experience in higher education and with diverse student populations is expected.
• Bilingual proficiency is preferred for outreach to diverse communities.
• Valid US Driver's License and CA DMV participation or similar credentialing may be required.

Responsibilities

• Recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates student ambassadors who support high school and community college outreach.
• Develops training curriculum and leadership pathways for ambassadors.
• Implements ambassador assignments to support MAAP, SIP, and other partnerships in the Central Valley and beyond.
• Oversees ambassador-led presentations, college fairs, and school visits.

Skills

Bilingual proficiency

Team leadership

Data reporting

Recruitment coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $79,200 - $82,000.

Job Closing Date

Initial applicant review will begin on or around November 4, 2026. Posting may close any time after the review date.

This position is represented by the bargaining unit UAW-SV.

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: This position is fully on-site

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,600 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About The Job

The Assistant Director of Campus Visits and Outreach independently plans, designs, implements, and evaluates comprehensive campus visit and outreach programs that support undergraduate recruitment, yield, and student engagement goals. The position provides strategic and operational leadership over the Welcome Center and Student Ambassador Program, including supervision of a large student workforce and professional staff, development of training and service delivery models, and oversight of high-volume campus tour operations and visitor experiences. Serving as a key institutional representative, the role manages relationships with K–12, community college, and community partners, and ensures alignment of outreach initiatives with campus enrollment priorities. The position also administers externally funded outreach programs, including budget oversight, proposal review processes, stakeholder advising, and required reporting. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Assistant Director develops and implements programmatic improvements, establishes operational procedures where none exist, analyzes program effectiveness through data and feedback, and provides leadership and guidance in outreach and visitor experience strategy across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Student Ambassador & Outreach Program Management

• Recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates student ambassadors who support high school and community college outreach.
• Develops training curriculum and leadership pathways for ambassadors.
• Implements ambassador assignments to support MAAP, SIP, and other strategic partnerships across the Central Valley and beyond.
• Oversees ambassador-led presentations, college fair participation, and school visits.

Campus Visit Experience And Welcome Center Oversight

• Manages the UC Merced Welcome Center including daily operations, front-line visitor services, and coordination with Admissions Events staff.
• Develops and manages all campus tour offerings—individual, group, VIP, and virtual.
• Maintains tour reservation systems, data collection tools, and visit evaluation processes.
• Crafts and regularly updates tour scripts and visit messaging in collaboration with Marketing.

SAPEP Student Initiative Program (SIP) Management

• Provides admissions advising for prospective students and families during campus visits and outreach events.
• Coordinates with regional reps and internal teams to support campus-based and off-site outreach efforts.
• Manages SIP budget, including the distribution and awarding of SIP funds to applicants.

Pre-Admissions Advising and Recruitment Events

• Tracks and analyzes visit attendance, tour feedback, and ambassador participation metrics.
• Develops monthly and annual reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with Marketing and Analysis to produce digital content, ambassador stories, and visitor communications.

Data, Evaluation, Communication, and Reporting

• Tracks and analyzes visit attendance, tour feedback, and ambassador participation metrics.
• Develops monthly and annual reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with Marketing and Analysis to produce digital content, ambassador stories, and visitor communications. Evaluates the effectiveness of the Ambassador Program in meeting UC and campus enrollment goals.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in related area from an accredited institution.
• Advanced degree in Higher Education, Leadership, or Student Development, or related field from an accredited institution. Preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid US Drivers License & Participation in the CA DMV Pull Program.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years experience working in higher education.
• Bilingual proficiency and experience serving diverse student populations. Preferred

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge and experience working with a diverse student population.
• Working knowledge of UC Merced, and the ability to interpret policies and procedures to prospective applicants and the public.
• Working knowledge of academic programs, including curricula, admissions requirements, and financial aid programs, at UC Merced.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with schools, universities, community organizations, and other institutions.
• Working/ knowledge of admissions requirements for campus/school/college.
• Ability to develop recruitment programs, and design effective materials.
• Experience in managing student staff and their supervision.
• Good to strong assessment and reporting knowledge.

Background Check

Background check required.

This position will be required to complete all pre-employment requirements, including a background investigation, the University's credentialing process, and verification of licensure and/or certification through the appropriate California licensing or certifying board(s), as applicable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke And Tobacco Free Policy

The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify

All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/