Assistant Director, Undergrad Admission

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California (USC) Office of Admission is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven Assistant Director of Admission to join our team. This role guides students through the college search process and represents USC to diverse communities nationwide.

As an Assistant Director, you will manage a designated recruitment territory and serve as a key ambassador for USC, building relationships with prospective students, families, and school partners while shaping the incoming class

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred as indicated.
• 1 year of relevant admission or counseling experience or equivalent.
• Counseling or academic advisement experience required; strong communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to USC's Unifying Values.

Responsibilities

• Manage recruitment territory and serve as USC ambassador to diverse communities.
• Represent USC through presentations at high schools and community colleges.
• Provide personalized guidance to prospective students and families throughout the process.
• Interview prospects and assess fit for admission using holistic review.
• Evaluate applications with quantitative and qualitative criteria.
• Develop and implement an annual outreach plan aligned with enrollment goals.
• Identify target schools/populations and execute strategic recruitment initiatives.
• Propose innovative approaches to attract highly competitive and diverse applicants.

Skills

Counseling skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Assistant Director of Admission

The University of Southern California (USC) Office of Admission is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven Assistant Director of Admission to join our team. This role is ideal for a strategic communicator and higher education professional who is passionate about guiding students through the college search process and representing USC to diverse communities nationwide.

As an Assistant Director, you will manage a designated recruitment territory and serve as a key ambassador for USC. You will build meaningful relationships with prospective students, families, and school partners while helping to shape the university's incoming class through thoughtful, holistic application review and strategic outreach.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of a recruitment and admission territory on behalf of the university
• Represent USC through presentations at high schools and community colleges, engaging students, families, and counselors
• Provide personalized, consultative guidance to prospective students and families throughout the college search and application process
• Serve as a trusted expert on college admission for counselors, school leaders, and community partners
• Interview prospective students and assess their fit for admission
• Evaluate applications using both quantitative and qualitative criteria and participate in admission decision-making
• Analyze demographic and academic trends within assigned territories to inform recruitment strategies
• Develop and implement an annual outreach plan aligned with USC's enrollment goals
• Identify target schools and populations, and execute strategic recruitment initiatives
• Recommend and implement innovative approaches to attract highly competitive and diverse applicants

Preferred Education

Master's degree

Additional Education Requirements

Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree

Minimum Experience

1 year

Minimum Skills

Counseling skills and/or academic advisement experience

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values.

The salary range for this position is $63,616.30 - $70,304.04. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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USC 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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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