Associate Director of Admissions

Harvard University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking an Associate Director for Admissions, reporting to the Director of Admissions. This role oversees daily operations, leads a small team, and drives end-to-end admissions processing for master’s and DrPH programs.

You will develop reports, analyze enrollment trends, and support strategic recruitment initiatives. The position requires strong data analytics, supervisory experience, and collaboration with cross-functional partners across Harvard Chan School and campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day Admissions Office operations and supervise staff.
• Design and manage admissions processes, quality control, and compliance training.
• Ensure end-to-end admissions processing from inquiry to matriculation.
• Develop recurring reports and analyze enrollment metrics to guide strategy.
• Support data-informed recruitment and marketing plans with stakeholder collaboration.
• Manage CRM and other systems to support operations and customer service.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Admissions principles

Supervisory experience

Data analysis

Communication skills

Event planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PeopleSoft Campus Solutions

Liaison products (Spectrum EMP, WebAdMIT)

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

• Harvard Job Function: Faculty & Student Services
• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 057
• Department: Admissions
• FLSA Status: Exempt

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health?

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing public health through cutting-edge research, education, and global collaboration. Our school is a special place to work because of its vibrant, mission-driven community, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing some of the most pressing health challenges worldwide. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, continuous learning, and work-life balance are valued.

The Admissions Office strives to attract prospective students and admitted students to the School by providing counseling and engagement opportunities through partnerships with current students, alumni, staff, and faculty. We process applications for admission to the School’s master’s and DrPH programs. We advise prospective applicants about the admissions process, opportunities offered by departments and programs, and the School’s role in their professional development.

About the Role:

This role reports to and works in collaboration with the Director of Admissions. The Associate Director will work directly with a mission driven team to recruit and yield the most promising public health talent across the globe, provide specialized data analysis and reporting as well as active management of technology and systems.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Has oversight of day-to-day operations of the Admissions Office, including daily supervision of five staff members with formal managerial responsibility of two of those staff members
• Responsible for process design improvement and management of admissions operations, including quality control measures, export control, and compliance training
• Accountable for accurate end-to-end admissions processing, from prospective inquiry to decision release and matriculation
• In partnership with the Director of Admissions, the Associate Director will develop and maintain recurring reports; analyze reports and metrics to monitor enrollment, admissions, and recruitment trends; and recommend strategies to improve yields
• Support the development of data-informed recruitment and marketing plans; conducts data needs assessments and evaluates activities to recommend immediate and future operational enhancements to support long-term goals
• By working as a team with the Assistant Directors and the Director of Admissions, this role is responsible for strategic planning and initiatives designed to recruit and yield the most promising public health talent across the globe
• Assist in the planning, budgeting and execution of on-campus, off-campus, and virtual recruitment and yield activities
• Collaborate with key stakeholders on digital marketing and recruitment opportunities as well as represent Harvard Chan School at on-campus, off-campus, virtual recruitment and yield events (international and domestic) to support recruitment and enrollment initiatives, including developing and maintaining networks
• - Counsel prospective applicants/students regarding degree offerings and application processes and enrollment requirements
• May review admissions decisions on behalf of Committee on Admissions and Degrees
• In conjunction with the Director and others in the office, the Associate Director plays an active role in managing technology (e.g., CRM, automated email campaigns, online application, decision notification, admitted student websites and portals) to support operations and customer service
• Serves as lead administrator for specific systems; tests system changes, reviews and refines workflows as needed while ensuring compliance, accurate mapping, data integrity, and maintaining documentation
• Partner on quarterly and year end financial reporting
• Serve on interdepartmental committees, liaise with department/program staff, serve as a resource to faculty and staff on applicable admissions-related information, reporting, and system needs, manages special projects as needed
• Contribute at all levels as needed; handle special projects as needed; and perform other duties as required.

PLEASE NOTE: This position will travel domestically and internationally, outside of the Boston area for Admissions-related events. This position also requires schedule flexibility for evening and weekend programming.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, advanced Excel skills
• Advanced knowledge of admissions principles
• Supervisory experience
• Communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Prior experience with recruiting and/or event planning preferred
• Experience with PeopleSoft Campus Solutions my.harvard, Liaison products (Spectrum EMP, WebAdMIT), Microsoft Office Suite including Word, advanced Excel, and PowerPoint preferred
• Previous experience developing detailed protocols and managing complex processes
• Prior responsibilities with making data-informed decisions
• Strong analytical skills, including experience developing and interpreting enrollment and academic data reports
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, communication skills (verbal and written), and proven track record of exceptional attention to detail; strong organizational skills; experience interacting with all levels of management; experience working independently and contributing as a member of a team; experience developing relationships with a wide variety of internal and external constituencies; experience handling confidential information with discretion in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions; experience balancing the need to be both detail-oriented and fast-paced, while being strategic; experience working in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing priorities preferred
• Vision and Strategic Thinking: Anticipate emerging needs for the School, help to lead the team through ambiguity, competing priorities, and evolving expectations.
• Collaborative Partnership: Enthusiasm for working across organizational boundaries and building relationships grounded in trust, respect, and shared purpose
• Systems Thinking: Understand how workflows, policies, processes, data, and people interact, and to design thoughtful solutions that serve students

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts . Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057