Director of Admissions

Ashland University Bookstore; Ashland (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashland University is seeking a Director of Admissions to lead the strategy and day-to-day execution of undergraduate, international, online and graduate admissions. You will translate enrollment priorities into a clear annual recruitment plan, develop the admissions team, and partner with campus colleagues on enrollment, net tuition revenue, and student‑fit goals.

This role requires strategic vision and hands‑on leadership in campus visits, events, and partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience using data to set priorities, monitor performance, communicate findings, and improve recruitment or service outcomes.
• Experience leading projects, coordinating complex events, or supervising and coaching employees or student staff.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to organize multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate across a campus community.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel during peak recruitment periods.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work, especially during recruitment events and peak‑cycle needs.
• Applicant must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Ashland University will not sponsor or take over sponsorship for an employment visa.
• Preferred: experience in undergraduate, international, online or graduate admissions; knowledge of Slate or CRM tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop an annual recruitment strategy aligned with enrollment, net tuition revenue, academic, geographic, and student-success priorities.
• Translate strategy into actionable territory plans, audience segments, outreach channels, event calendars, staff assignments, and funnel goals.
• Use funnel history and market intelligence to identify opportunities and risks, adjust recruitment efforts during the cycle, and apply lessons to future plans.

Skills

Data-driven decisions

Project leadership

Stakeholder communication

Relationship building

Time management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Slate CRM

Job description

The Director of Admissions leads the strategy and day-to-day execution of Ashland University’s traditional undergraduate, international, online and graduate admissions programs. The Director translates university enrollment priorities into a clear annual recruitment plan, builds a reliable prospective-student pipeline, develops the admissions team, and uses timely evidence to adjust work throughout the cycle. The role is accountable for recruitment performance and prospective student experience, while partnering with Enrollment Management leadership and campus colleagues on enrollment, net tuition revenue, affordability, and student-fit goals.

Reporting to the Vice President of Enrollment Management, the Director serves on the Enrollment Management Leadership Team and leads professional admissions staff, student tour guides, and admissions ambassadors. The Director combines strategic planning with visible, hands‑on leadership in territory recruitment, campus visits, and signature events.

Key Responsibilities

Set strategy and turn it into action

• Develop an annual recruitment strategy aligned with enrollment, net tuition revenue, academic, geographic, and student-success priorities.
• Translate strategy into actionable territory plans, audience segments, outreach channels, event calendars, staff assignments, and funnel goals.
• Use funnel history and market intelligence to identify opportunities and risks, adjust recruitment efforts during the cycle, and apply lessons to future plans.

Lead the admissions team and student recruitment experience

• Supervise, coach, and develop admissions staff; set clear expectations and strengthen their recruitment, communication, CRM , and data skills.
• Assign territories and responsibilities based on institutional priorities, market opportunity, and team capacity.
• Lead a welcoming, coordinated prospective student experience across visits, events, outreach, and partnerships with families, counselors, academic units, and campus offices.

Manage performance, forecasting, and continuous improvement

• Maintain a stage‑by‑stage enrollment forecast; explain gaps from plan and recommend specific actions to address them.
• Use CRM , student information, event, and reporting systems to support accurate data, timely outreach, and useful analysis.
• Evaluate recruitment results, costs, student feedback, and revenue implications; share concise updates and recommend improvements to Enrollment Management leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience using data to set priorities, monitor performance, communicate findings, and improve recruitment or service outcomes.
• Experience leading projects, coordinating complex events, or supervising and coaching employees or student staff.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and relationship‑building skills; ability to communicate effectively with students, families, school counselors, colleagues, and community partners.
• Ability to organize multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, work independently, and collaborate across a campus community.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel during peak recruitment periods.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work, especially during recruitment events and peak‑cycle needs.
• Applicant must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Ashland University will not sponsor or take over sponsorship for an employment visa.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least five years of full‑time experience in undergraduate, international, online or graduate admissions, college access, enrollment management, or a closely related field; progressively responsible experience is preferred.
• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, business, or a related field. Other fields will be considered upon the candidate’s ability to demonstrate relevance to the role.
• Experience supervising professional admissions staff and student employees.
• Experience with Slate or a comparable CRM , funnel reporting, recruitment territory design, and enrollment forecasting.
• Experience managing recruitment budgets and evaluating the return and student impact of recruitment activities.
• Knowledge of current recruitment practices, financial aid concepts, and the needs of diverse student populations.

Physical Demands

This is a full‑time, exempt administrative position. Work is performed in an office and campus setting with regular interaction across the university and in external recruitment markets. The role requires regional travel, periodic evening and weekend work, and some lifting in support of visits and events. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

Anticipated Start Date of New Hire

Anticipated Start Date of New Hire 11/16/2026

Anticipated Number of Hours Working per Week

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• References
• Letters Of Recommendation