Associate Director of Graduate Admissions

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is seeking an Associate Director of Graduate Admissions to lead recruitment and enrollment for graduate and PhD programs within Enrollment Management. The role engages prospective students across marketing and recruitment channels and mentors them through the admissions process to achieve enrollment goals.

The position emphasizes relationship-building with applicants, collaboration with faculty and administrators, and data-driven reporting to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
• Sales, student recruitment, or customer service experience required.
• Experience with Slate or other higher education CRM systems preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Communicate the University’s graduate and PhD program offerings and value propositions to prospective students to support goals for contacts, interviews, applications, admitted students, and enrollments.
• Execute recruitment strategies designed to increase enrollment in graduate and PhD programs.
• Initiate and maintain relationships with prospective students and lead-generating sources across multiple communication channels, including phone, email, text, and digital platforms.
• Guide prospective students through the admissions process, including follow-up on applications and ongoing counseling and support.
• Review assigned prospect and applicant pipelines regularly, identify barriers to progression, and conduct timely and appropriate follow-up.
• In coordination with the Executive Director, program directors, and other University partners, plan and execute information sessions and recruitment (online/in-person) events to promote graduate and PhD programs.
• Travel domestically and internationally, as needed, to represent the University at recruitment events or enrollment-related activities. Some evening and weekend travel may be required.
• Ensure accurate and complete data entry within the University’s CRM system.
• Collaborate with internal partners to support development of recruitment and marketing strategies that attract and maintain a diverse student population.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of academic programs, including requirements, curriculum, policies, procedures, and general institutional information.
• Communicate with faculty and administration to support recruitment efforts and ensure a consistent transition from applicant to enrolled student.
• Address applicant concerns, including extenuating circumstances, complaints, and appeals related to admissions decisions. Escalate policy questions, appeals, sensitive cases, and circumstances requiring exceptions to the Executive Director or appropriate University official.
• Ensure proper handling of confidential student information in compliance with FERPA.
• Prepare regular reports related to enrollment activity, progress, observations and recommendations as needed.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Slate CRM

Job description

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Graduate Admissions is responsible for executing recruitment and enrollment strategies for Harrisburg University’s graduate and PhD programs within Enrollment Management. This role proactively engages prospective students across all marketing and recruitment channels and guides them through each stage of the admissions process to support established enrollment goals.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Graduate Admissions is responsible for executing recruitment and enrollment strategies for Harrisburg University’s graduate and PhD programs within Enrollment Management. This role proactively engages prospective students across all marketing and recruitment channels and guides them through each stage of the admissions process to support established enrollment goals.

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Key Accountabilities

• Communicate the University’s graduate and PhD program offerings and value propositions to prospective students to support goals for contacts, interviews, applications, admitted students, and enrollments.
• Execute recruitment strategies designed to increase enrollment in graduate and PhD programs.
• Initiate and maintain relationships with prospective students and lead-generating sources across multiple communication channels, including phone, email, text, and digital platforms.
• Guide prospective students through the admissions process, including follow-up on applications and ongoing counseling and support.
• Review assigned prospect and applicant pipelines regularly, identify barriers to progression, and conduct timely and appropriate follow-up.
• In coordination with the Executive Director, program directors, and other University partners, plan and execute information sessions and recruitment (online/in-person) events to promote graduate and PhD programs.
• Travel domestically and internationally, as needed, to represent the University at recruitment events or enrollment-related activities. Some evening and weekend travel may be required.
• Ensure accurate and complete data entry within the University’s CRM system.
• Collaborate with internal partners to support development of recruitment and marketing strategies that attract and maintain a diverse student population.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of academic programs, including requirements, curriculum, policies, procedures, and general institutional information.
• Communicate with faculty and administration to support recruitment efforts and ensure a consistent transition from applicant to enrolled student.
• Address applicant concerns, including extenuating circumstances, complaints, and appeals related to admissions decisions. Escalate policy questions, appeals, sensitive cases, and circumstances requiring exceptions to the Executive Director or appropriate University official.
• Ensure proper handling of confidential student information in compliance with FERPA.
• Prepare regular reports related to enrollment activity, progress, observations and recommendations as needed.

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Managerial Leadership Practices

• Regularly meets with subordinate associates (weekly one-to-one, weekly or bi-weekly with teams) to: discuss overall business context, plans, and problems; build understanding of how their roles connect to the organization’s mission and vision; and seek feedback.
• Develops and executes plans and budgets for achieving departmental/unit goals.
• Assigns tasks so associates know what is required of them (quality and quantity), by when and what resources are available.
• Appraises how effectively associates use their judgment and discretion in role accountabilities; creates an ongoing dialogue with them about the appraisals.
• Coaches associates to increase their effectiveness and develop strengths in their role.
• Continuously improves systems and processes; identifies new project opportunities.
• Recommends team additions and dismissals; solicits, screens and selects candidates for consideration.
• Effectively orients and trains new associates into role requirements, working relationships, company requirements and culture.
• Identifies developmental opportunities for associates-once-removed.

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EXPECTATIONS OF ALL STAFF

• Applies best efforts and full capability each day to the work assigned by their manager.
• Advises the manager when:
  • An assignment is not understood.
  • An assignment conflicts with knowledge of the circumstances, current skills, or available time/resources.
  • Obstacles to completing the assignment exist or are likely to occur.
  • Opportunities to better complete or improve the assignment exist or may occur.
• Understands and demonstrates our cultural expectations.

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Minimum Role Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
• Sales, student recruitment, or customer service experience required.
• Experience with Slate or other higher education CRM systems preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain consistent follow-up with prospective students.

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WORK HOURS

The university work week is Sunday through Saturday. Most employees are expected to work within the core hours of 8:0 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. To accommodate business needs, employees may be assigned to other workdays and/or hours, including weekends and evenings, and may be required to work overtime.