Director - Graduate Admissions - 994214

Nova Southeastern University; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 69,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waiver

Retirement plan

Medical and dental plans

Tobacco-free campus

Job summary

Nova Southwestern University seeks a leader to oversee graduate admissions and outreach operations, guiding strategy, market development, and admissions processes in support of institutional priorities.

You will drive consistency across programs through data-informed planning, stakeholder collaboration, and compliant, high-quality applicant service, while supervising admissions staff and reporting on enrollment trends.

Qualifications

• Digital communications – working knowledge of approved tools and channels.
• Customer service orientation with student-centered approach.
• English language – clear written and spoken communication.
• Communications and Outreach – accurate messaging of programs.
• Office technology – proficient with Microsoft Office and institutional systems.

Responsibilities

• Leads development and execution of graduate admissions and outreach strategies.
• Oversees outreach event strategy and planning aligned with priorities.
• Establishes outreach plans based on market trends and goals.
• Reviews admissions data to identify service needs and improvements.
• Directs hiring, coaching, and professional development for staff.

Skills

Service Orientation

Active Listening

Critical Thinking

Speaking

Reading Comprehension

Social Perceptiveness

Judgment and Decision-Making

Self-Direction

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

We are excited that you are considering joining Nova Southwestern University!

Nova Southwestern University (NSU) was founded in 1964, and is a not-for-profit, independent university with a reputation for academic excellence and innovation. Nova Southwestern University offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including tuition waiver, retirement plan, excellent medical and dental plans and much more. NSU cares about the health and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors and is a tobacco-free university.

We appreciate your support in making NSU the preeminent place to live, work, study and grow. Thank you for your interest in a career with Nova Southwestern University.

Primary Purpose:

Provides leadership for graduate admissions and outreach operations, overseeing outreach strategy, market development, and admissions processes in support of institutional priorities. Promotes consistency across programs, teams, and initiatives through data-informed planning, effective applicant service, and compliance with institutional policies.

Job Category:Exempt

Hiring Range: $77,000

Pay Basis: Annually

Subject to Grant Funding?No

Essential Job Functions:

• 1. Leads the development and execution of graduate admissions and outreach strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
• 2. Oversees outreach event strategy and planning to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and approved practices.
• 3. Establishes outreach plans based on market trends, program needs, and institutional goals.
• 4. Develops methods for evaluating outreach quality, audience alignment, resource use, and operational effectiveness.
• 5. Reviews aggregate admissions and outreach data across programs to identify service needs, process improvements, and market trends.
• 6. Serves as a subject matter resource on outreach strategy, market dynamics, and audience engagement.
• 7. Provides strategic guidance to leadership regarding market opportunities, outreach investments, and program needs.
• 8. Oversees admissions operations across assigned programs or units, ensuring consistency in application review, decision practices, and communication standards.
• 9. Supervises staff to promote accuracy, professionalism, consistent service, and adherence to institutional policies.
• 10. Directs hiring, coaching, performance management, and professional development for admissions staff and managers.
• 11. Collaborates with senior leadership on outreach planning, operational alignment, and institutional initiatives.
• 12. Partners with academic and administrative leaders to align admissions practices with program requirements and institutional policies.
• 13. Leads improvements to admissions processes, workflows, and service delivery.
• 14. Resolves complex or escalated admissions and applicant matters, ensures appropriate application of policies, and refers exceptions when needed.
• 15. Ensures data integrity, compliance, and appropriate use of CRM and admissions systems for documentation, planning, and reporting.
• 16. Prepares and presents reports on outreach activities, market trends, applicant service, application and enrollment trends, and operational performance.
• 17. Completes special projects as assigned.
• 18. Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

Performance Expectations

Performance in this role is evaluated based on leadership, service quality, accuracy, professionalism, judgment, communication, staff development, operational effectiveness, data integrity, process improvement and compliance with institutional policies and applicable requirements. Performance evaluations, compensation decisions, promotions, bonuses, and other employment actions shall not be based directly or indirectly on inquiry or application volume, admissions or enrollment outcomes, conversion or yield rates, tuition revenue, retention outcomes, or financial aid outcomes.

Job Requirements:

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Knowledge:

• 1. Digital Communications – Working knowledge of approved digital and web-based tools used to provide accurate, consistent, and accessible information to prospective students and applicants.
• 2. Customer and Personal Service – Working knowledge of principles and processes for providing responsive, respectful, and student-centered service.
• 3. English Language – General knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and composition sufficient to communicate clearly and professionally.
• 4. Communications and Outreach – Working knowledge of methods for communicating academic programs, admissions requirements, and institutional services accurately and in a non-coercive manner.
• 5. Office Technology – Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and institutional systems used for communication, documentation, and data entry.

Skills:

• 1. Service Orientation – Skill in assisting applicants and colleagues with navigating established processes and resolving routine questions.
• 2. Active Listening – Skill in understanding information, asking appropriate questions, and responding thoughtfully and respectfully.
• 3. Critical Thinking – Skill in evaluating information and determining appropriate next steps within established policies and procedures.
• 4. Speaking – Skill in communicating information clearly and professionally to individuals and groups.
• 5. Reading Comprehension – Ability to understand and apply policies, procedures, admissions criteria, and program materials.
• 6. Social Perceptiveness – Skill in adjusting communication appropriately while maintaining professionalism and consistency.
• 7. Judgment and Decision-Making – Skill in applying institutional guidelines and determining when referral or escalation is needed.
• 8. Self-Direction – Skill in managing responsibilities independently while collaborating effectively with others.

Abilities:

• 1. Ability to apply established policies, procedures, and admissions criteria consistently.
• 2. Ability to recognize issues and determine when follow-up or escalation is required.
• 3. Ability to identify patterns, recurring questions, and opportunities for process improvement.
• 4. Ability to communicate admissions information accurately without pressure or unauthorized promises.

Required Certifications/Licensures:Valid Driver’s license.

Required Education:

Bachelor's degree

Required Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree and eight (8) or more years of experience in a higher education environment,
-OR-
Master’s and six (6) or more years of experience in a higher education environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bilingual (English - Spanish)

Is this a safety sensitive position?No

Background Screening Required? No

Pre-Employment Conditions:

Sensitivity Disclaimer:Nova Southwestern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.

NSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.