Director of Undergraduate Admission

McKendree University; Lebanon (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

McKendree University seeks a Director of Undergraduate Admission to lead recruitment and enrollment strategies for first‑year and transfer students. You will oversee territory management, events, yield initiatives, and data‑driven decision making to advance campus enrollment goals.

Reporting to the Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid, you will supervise staff, analyze data, forecast activity, and coordinate with Marketing, Financial Aid, and Academic Affairs to optimize messaging and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; five+ years in college admissions or enrollment management; leadership experience preferred.
• Experience supervising staff and managing recruitment territories.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills; ability to forecast enrollment and guide strategy.

Responsibilities

• Monitor inquiry, application, admission, deposits, and enrollment activity; identify risks and opportunities; intervene as needed.
• Recruit, supervise, train, coach, and evaluate undergraduate admissions staff; set territory and team goals.
• Collaborate with Marketing, IT, and Financial Aid to optimize messaging and data systems.
• Represent the university at events, build school partnerships, and contribute to institutional committees.

Skills

Leadership

Enrollment management

Staff supervision

CRM experience

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Ellucian Recruit

CRM systems

MS Office

Job description

The Director of Undergraduate Admission provides leadership and strategic direction for McKendree University's undergraduate recruitment and admission efforts. Reporting to the Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid, the Director oversees the full recruitment cycle from inquiry through enrollment, including first-year and transfer recruitment, territory management, admission events, yield strategies, enrollment forecasting, and staff leadership. The Director is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that support University enrollment goals while ensuring prospective students and families receive timely, personalized, and exceptional service throughout the admission process.

Key Responsibilities

Enrollment Forecasting and Performance Analysis

• Monitor inquiry, application, admission, deposit, and enrollment activity; identify risks, trends, and opportunities; and recommend appropriate interventions.
• Use enrollment data, demographic trends, market research, competitor information, and institutional priorities to evaluate recruitment performance and guide decision-making.

Staff Leadership and Territory Management

• Recruit, supervise, train, coach, and evaluate undergraduate admission staff.
• Establish clear individual, territory, and team goals; monitor performance and conversion activity; and provide the resources, accountability, and professional development necessary for success.
• Create territory goals using historical performance, market potential, demographic data, feeder-school activity, and institutional priorities; evaluate recruitment effectiveness and return on investment; and adjust strategies, assignments, and resources based on results.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, exceptional customer service, and continuous improvement.

Data, Technology, and Recruitment Communications

• Maintain advanced working knowledge of Ellucian Recruit and other University systems, including communication plans, workflows, reports, dashboards, prospect management, application tracking, and territory management.
• Ensure admission staff use the CRM consistently, accurately, and effectively.
• Collaborate with Information Technology and other partners to improve system functionality, data quality, reporting, user effectiveness, and the responsible use of automation and emerging technologies.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communication to develop and oversee coordinated recruitment messaging across email, text, print, direct mail, digital, event, and counselor communication channels.

Collaboration and Institutional Representation

• Build strong working relationships with Financial Aid, Athletics, Marketing and Communication, Student Affairs, Student Success, Academic Records, faculty, staff, coaches, alumni, and current students to support recruitment and enrollment efforts.
• Develop relationships with high schools, community colleges, community organizations, and other external partners.
• Serve on University committees and participate in institutional events.

Change Management and Professional Standards

• Lead the undergraduate admission office through changing enrollment conditions, staffing transitions, evolving student expectations, and institutional priorities.
• Evaluate and improve admission processes, policies, communication, technology, and organizational effectiveness.
• Uphold McKendree University's mission, vision, and values and demonstrate professionalism, integrity, reliability, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Promote an inclusive and welcoming recruitment environment that supports access, belonging, and student success.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in college admission, enrollment management, or a related higher education field.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience at a private, tuition-dependent, residential institution.
• Experience with enrollment forecasting, territory management, recruitment analytics, and yield strategy.
• Advanced experience with Ellucian Recruit.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to supervise, lead, motivate, coach, and hold employees accountable.
• Experience using a customer relationship management system and student information system.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to exceptional customer service.
• Valid driver's license and/or ability to travel in performance of department requirements.

Traditional business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Periodic evening and weekend work and regional or national travel may be required. Work responsibilities may increase during peak recruitment, application, event, and enrollment periods.

This position description is intended to convey the primary duties and responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all qualifications, skills, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the role.