Assistant Vice President and Executive Director, Admissions

Kent State University; Kent (OH); On-site; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent State University in Kent, Ohio seeks an experienced executive to lead the Office of Admissions. The role directs strategy, enrollment planning, and policy development to reach ambitious goals while presenting a compelling university image to prospective students.

You will partner with deans, faculty, and student services, oversee budgeting and reporting, and guide a diverse team through data-informed recruitment and admissions operations to deliver a rewarding student experience from

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in a related field.
• Seven years' experience in the management of admissions operations within higher education.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in planning, development, and administration of the Admissions department.
• Develop and promote a yearly admissions plan to achieve enrollment goals.
• Foster a data-informed culture to shape strategic directions and adjust the admissions plan.

Skills

Written, verbal, and interpersonal

Negotiating and collaborating

Recruiting, training, and retaining a多

Education

Master's degree in a related field

Job description

Job Title:

Assistant Vice President and Executive Director, Admissions

Physical Location:

Kent Campus - Kent, OH

Salary:

$125,000 - $135,000

Basic Function:

Responsible for the leadership, oversight, and management of the Office of Admissions and all of its functions. Partners closely with deans, faculty, and staff to determine and enact policies and strategies that will realize the university's ambitious enrollment goals. Serves as a representative for the university's mission by presenting an attractive vision to potential students; enhancing the admissions process for those candidates; and helping to assure a rewarding experience for students who enroll. Works closely with the campus community and the regional campuses to build effective relationships and communicate about and garner support for the goals of the Office of Admissions. Reports to Vice President for Enrollment Management.

Additional Basic Function – if applicable:

Not applicable.

Examples of Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Provide leadership in the planning, development, and administration of the Admissions department in a manner consistent with the mission of Kent State University.
• In collaboration with the Vice President for Enrollment Management, deans, faculty, and staff, develop, implement, and promote a yearly admissions plan that will achieve university enrollment goals.
• Further a data-informed culture to shape strategic directions and make appropriate adjustments to an integrated admissions plan; regularly assess accuracy and effectiveness of recruitment activities and make appropriate adjustments so as to lead an effort that is proactive, strategic, and responsive to the changing needs of students.
• Coordinate the design and implementation of recruitment materials to prospective undergraduate and graduate students, expanding the university's ability to attract, select and enroll an increasingly talented and diverse student body.
• Provide regular reports, data analyses, and evaluation tools to the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the colleges, the division, and other designated persons/units.
• Work collaboratively and strategically with other units within the Division of Enrollment Management, particularly with the Office of Student Financial Aid; enhance working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Administer academic policy and university regulations that govern the process of recruitment and enrollment of students.
• Lead a transparent and forward-looking budgeting process that projects clear outcomes for expenditures and evaluates achievements in the context of an environment in which strategic use of resources is important.
• Stay current with issues and policies pertaining to the achievement of a diverse student body and play a leadership role in assisting the university in reaching its goals.
• Provide supervision of unclassified and classified staff; oversee personnel administration and professional development.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Additional Examples of Duties – if applicable:

Not applicable.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree in a related field. Seven years' experience in the management of admissions operations within higher education.

License/Certification:

Not applicable.

Knowledge Of:

• Enrollment Management and student recruitment strategies
• Strategic planning
• Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

Skill In:

• Written, verbal, and interpersonal communication
• Negotiating and co laborating across campus departments including financial aid, academic units, marketing, athletics, and university leadership to align enro lment goals with institutional priorities
• Recruiting, training, and retaining a multi-tiered staff (from entry-level recruiters to directors), preventing burnout during peak seasons, and cultivating an inclusive team culture
• Restructuring teams, streamlining high-volume processing systems (CRMs, application reviews), and guiding staff through policy or technological transitions without disrupting operations

Ability To:

• Read team dynamics, manage staff anxiety during high-stress cycles, and pivot strategies smoothly when external forces (such as demographic shifts, legislative changes, or economic dips) alter application projections
• See both the macro picture (institutional brand, enro lment goals) and micro dependencies (CRM workflow bottlenecks, transcript processing latency) to understand how a friction point in one area impacts the entire funnel
• Analyze demographic shifts, yield rates, regional trends, and financial aid distribution to shape enro lment strategy, forecast class composition, and optimize recruitment resources

Preferred Qualifications – if applicable:

None.

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which require assessments

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

None.

Working Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM, or otherwise discussed with leadership.

Additional Information:

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is cultura ly and inte lectua ly diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.

Must pass a security check.

For official job descriptions, visit www.kent.edu/hr.

Kent State University is a Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free University effective July 1, 2017. Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on any of Kent State’s campuses or other locations and properties that are owned, operated, or leased by Kent State, both domestic and international. For additional details, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free.

Disclaimer:

The intent of this description is to illustrate the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and should not be interpreted to describe all the specific duties and responsibilities that may be required in any particular position. Directly related experience/education beyond the minimum stated may be substituted where appropriate at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. Kent State University reserves the right to revise or change job duties, job hours, and responsibilities.