Director, Campus Relations & Visitor Experience

University of Delaware; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Delaware in Newark, DE seeks a Director, Campus Relations & Visitor Experience to lead visit programs and campus events, coordinating with colleges and Admissions units to enhance the prospective student experience.

The role oversees budgets, supervises staff, trains partners in Slate, and guides 100+ tour guides and staff, with occasional travel to support recruitment efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, master’s preferred, and six years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Advanced knowledge of event programming trends and effectiveness for student recruitment and admissions.
• Ability to be proactive and reactive to the needs of the recruitment and admissions cycle as it relates to event programming.
• Creative thinker with nimble abilities to be able to react in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Experience with assessment and implementation of innovative, creative, and effective programming.

Responsibilities

• Direct the implementation, analysis, and administrative operations of visit programs including daily visits, front desk customer service engagement, and all special event programming.
• Direct, collaborate, and partner with individual college visitor experiences, events-management plans, college senior assistant deans, directors, and/or associate directors in regard to college recruitment processes.
• Provide planning and assessment strategies to collect and analyze data of the visit experience and campus-wide events.
• Analyze and research market trends for higher education enrollment management communications as it relates to event planning and visits.
• Provide strategic vision for events as they relate to recruitment and admissions goals.
• Oversee, lead, manage and inspire staff that support virtual and on-campus recruitment efforts such as daily visits, open house programs, and the Blue Hen Ambassador Tour guide program.
• Serves as the content expert for visits and events in Slate, leading the event management for college partners, and providing Slate training for campus partners (check-in, registration, etc.)
• Manage budgets for open house events, visit experience programs, Blue Hen Ambassadors, and other special programming.
• Supervise the operations of the University Visitors Center building. Serving as the liaison between teams within the Office of Admissions and Division of Enrollment Management to ensure efficient front desk operations, lobby operations, and facilities needs in the client-facing building spaces.
• Assist in the recruitment and file review of first year and transfer students, which may require light travel.
• Perform job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Event planning

Budget management

Staff leadership

Data analysis

Slate

Cross-functional collaboration

Public speaking

Recruitment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Slate

Job description

Director, Campus Relations & Visitor Experience

Job no: 504078
College / VP Area: VP for Enroll Management
Work type: Staff
Location: Newark, DE
Categories: Admissions

Pay Grade: 32E

Context of Job:

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions receives approximately 42,000 freshman and transfer applications per year, hosts on-campus (approximately 30,000 visitors/year) and off-campus recruitment events and maintains a prospect list of more than 300,000 potential students globally. Under the general direction of the Deputy Director, the Director (Campus Relations & Visitor Experience) is a critical member of the leadership team and provides strategic insights, collaboration and support to the entire department. The position serves as the Office of Undergraduate Admissions point of contact and provides direction to key recruiting partners in the colleges and in the campus community including the Honors College, the Office of Communications and Marketing, the academic colleges, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, and Division of Student Life.
The Director supports the strategic and tactical plans for the department by coordinating campus visits, special events and programming that allow us to compete effectively in the marketplace. The Director directly supervises two Assistant Directors, an admissions counselor responsible for campus visits, and an Administrative Assistant. In addition, the Director provides leadership, mentorship, and guidance to more than 100 Blue Hen Ambassador (BHA) tour guides and the remaining admissions staff within the office. The Director is innovative, a strategic communicator, event planner, and visionary who understands how to lead, motivate, research, develop, implement, and track outcomes for visit and event programming.

Major Responsibilities:

• Direct the implementation, analysis, and administrative operations of visit programs including daily visits, the front desk customer service engagement, and all special event programming such as open house programs, high school counselor and community-based organization programs, Honors College specific events, Destination Delaware, group tours, associate-to-bachelor’s programs, regional receptions, transfer programs, etc.
• Direct, collaborate, and partner with individual college visitor experiences, events-management plans, college senior assistant deans, directors, and/or associate directors in regard to college recruitment processes.
• Provide planning and assessment strategies to collect and analyze data of the visit experience and campus-wide events.
• Analyze and research market trends for higher education enrollment management communications as it relates to event planning and visits.
• Provide strategic vision for events as they relate to recruitment and admissions goals.
• Oversee, lead, manage and inspire staff that support virtual and on-campus recruitment efforts such as daily visits, open house programs, and the Blue Hen Ambassador Tour guide program.
• Serves as the content expert for visits and events in Slate, leading the event management for college partners, and providing Slate training for campus partners (check-in, registration, etc.)
• Manage budgets for open house events, visit experience programs, Blue Hen Ambassadors, and other special programming.
• Supervise the operations of the University Visitors Center building. Serving as the liaison between teams within the Office of Admissions and Division of Enrollment Management to ensure efficient front desk operations, lobby operations, and facilities needs in the client-facing building spaces.
• Assist in the recruitment and file review of first year and transfer students, which may require light travel.
• Perform job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, master’s preferred, and six years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Advanced knowledge of event programming trends and effectiveness for student recruitment and admissions.
• Ability to be proactive and reactive to the needs of the recruitment and admissions cycle as it relates to event programming.
• Creative thinker with nimble abilities to be able to react in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Experience with assessment and implementation of innovative, creative, and effective programming.
• Skilled project manager preferred, with a proven track record of leading and planning cross-functional projects and teams.
• Experience as a supervisor is desired. Successful experience developing individuals as well as teams desired.
• Effective written and oral communication and organizational skills required. Ability to present effectively to small and large groups.
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to multitask, work independently and as a team member to achieve common goals, and to exercise sound judgment.
• Knowledge and understanding of higher education.
• Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.

Special Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license, reliable access to transportation.
• Ability to travel and work extended hours, including weekends and evenings.

Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.