Associate Director, Full-Time MBA Admissions (HR Title: Student Recruiter III)

Southern Methodist University; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Methodist University is seeking an Associate Director of Full-Time MBA Admissions to lead recruitment for the Cox MBA programs (FTMBA) and related dual-degree options. This on-campus role involves travel, interviews, and admissions decision-making to attract a diverse, high-quality class.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree with five years’ experience in admissions or related areas; an MBA or related masters is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or Master’s in Higher Education Administration preferred.
• Minimum of five years of work experience required.
• Experience in university admissions, advising, and/or marketing/sales preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Strong written communication skills and customer service orientation.
• Knowledge of CRM systems (Slate or PeopleSoft) preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Develop recruitment strategy for full-time MBA programs.
• Attend in-person and virtual recruiting events.
• Review applications and conduct interviews for admission decisions.
• Collaborate with Cox Marketing and external partners.
• Lead MBA Student Ambassadors and manage training.
• Oversee scholarships and admissions processes in Slate.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Provide back-up to broader Cox Graduate Admissions team.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Customer service

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Time management

Admissions strategy

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA or Master’s in Higher Education Administration

Tools

Slate

PeopleSoft

MS Office

Job description

Job Description - Associate Director, Full-Time MBA Admissions (HR Title: Student Recruiter III) (COX00000280)

Job Description

Associate Director, Full-Time MBA Admissions (HR Title: Student Recruiter III) - ( COX00000280 )

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU:

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

This position is responsible for recruiting high quality candidates for the full-time Cox MBA (FTMBA) programs (One & Two Year) and related dual-degree programs (MA/MBA, JD/MBA, & M.S. Engineering/MBA). These programs represent 165+ students per year, compete amidst a highly-competitive market for top-tier students, and are critical to the reputation and rankings of the Cox school. The individual will travel domestically and internationally to recruit a diverse class of students. This position will review applications and conduct interviews to assess the applicant's success in the program and future career goals, making admissions and scholarship recommendations.

Essential Functions:

Student Recruitment Strategy & Execution: Develop strategy to recruit students for full-time MBA programs, aligning with team to translate into executable plan. Attend in-person and virtual recruiting events, pitching Cox programs. Steward prospects through application, interview, and assessment phases, making admissions and scholarship recommendations as part of the Admissions Committee.

Strategic Project Management: Plan and execute recruiting-related projects (e.g., on-boarding new recruiting partners / vendors) that may impact the entire Graduate Admissions organization. Operate with limited oversight and coordinate with diverse internal and external stakeholders to address complex challenges in an ever-changing market. Assess and provide recommendations on budget impacts.

Oversee MBA Student Ambassadors: Manage team of student ambassadors to enhance recruiting yield, including selection / on-boarding / training, task assignment (matching with prospects), and performance feedback.

Marketing & Events Strategy and Execution: Help develop and execute event strategy for full-time MBA programs. Collaborate with SMU Marketing team to promote events and drive leads.

Operational Excellence: Implement processes in Slate and other tools to streamline recruiting, application review, admissions, and yielding processes.

Additional support to broader Cox Graduate Admissions Team through other duties as assigned.

Occasional evening and/or weekend event support is required.

Occasional regional, national, and international travel is required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree is required. An MBA or Master's in Higher Education Administration is preferred.

A minimum of five years of work experience is required.

Experience in University admissions, advising, and/or marketing/sales strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and to effectively interact with students, alumni, staff, faculty, and prospective students. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. A strong customer service orientation is essential.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Experience with sales, student advising, or admissions is preferred. Knowledge of 1-20 international student visa process is preferred.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of MS Office. Experience with and/or knowledge of CRM systems (e.g. Slate or PeopleSoft) is strongly preferred.

Candidate must have the ability to generate new admissions strategies and ideas and execute them in order to increase enrollment.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Carry/lift 25 lbs.
• Stand

Deadline to Apply:

The position is open until filled.

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by June 29, 2026

EEO Statement:

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of healthand related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMUand, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.