Graduate Student Recruiter

Illinois State University; Normal (AL); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement options

Tuition waiver for staff and dependens

Paid holidays

Paid benefit time

Job summary

Illinois State University seeks a Graduate Student Recruiter to lead graduate and international recruitment and enrollment efforts. This role emphasizes collaboration, communication, and public speaking, with flexible work location.

Responsibilities include coordinating outreach, partnering with academic units, and supporting travel for recruitment events. A Bachelor’s degree and 1–3 years of experience are required, with a Master’s degree preferred. Immediate review of applicants is noted.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required.
• 1–3 years of experience in graduate and international recruitment.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Strong communication, customer service, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent customer service, organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and collaboration tools (MS Teams, Zoom, Google Drive, Box).
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Support and implement graduate and international recruitment and enrollment efforts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across campus.
• Communicate effectively with students, applicants, and partners.
• Coordinate travel and events for recruitment initiatives.

Skills

Public speaking

Communication

Customer service

Relationship-building

Collaboration

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Teams

Zoom

Google Drive

Box

Job description

Title: Graduate Student Recruiter

Division Name: Academic Affairs

Department: Graduate School

Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Recruiter is a student-centered professional responsible for implementing and supporting graduate and international recruitment and enrollment efforts at Illinois State University. This role will rely on a full range of interpersonal skills, including collaboration, coordination, effective communication, and public speaking and will contribute meaningfully to our student-focused approach. Successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to succeed in dynamic, goal-driven, fast-paced team environments. This position allows for work location flexibility.

University Benefit Highlights

• Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
• Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
• Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
• Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
• Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$57,000 - $67,000 annual salary

Required Qualifications

• 1. Bachelor’s or equivalent degree
• 2. One to three years of experience in graduate and international recruitment
• 3. Valid driver’s license
• 4. Strong communication, customer service, and relationship-building skills
• 5. Demonstrated excellence in customer service, organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• 6. Proven record of successful collaboration with cross-functional teams and communicating with multiple stakeholders
• 7. Working expertise with Microsoft Office software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and collaboration software (MS Teams, Zoom, Google Drive, Box)
• 8. Demonstrated success meeting deadlines and goals while managing multiple projects
• 9. Demonstrated success working autonomously and as a part of a team

Preferred Qualifications

• 1. Master’s degree
• 2. Experience with CRM tools, preferably Slate
• 3. Experience in customer service, sales, or other dynamic people-oriented service environments
• 4. Experience working with a diverse group of stakeholders
• 5. Familiarity with Illinois State University and its academic programs
• 6. Experience arranging and conducting extensive travel independently, including working evenings and weekends

Work Hours

8:00am-4:30pm M-F with occasional evening and weekend work.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• 1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
• 2. Remain at a workstation for extended periods.
• 3. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to‑day work.
• 4. Distinguish colors on a monitor.

Proposed Starting Date

November 2026

Required Applicant Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 professional references

Special Instructions for Applicants

Review of candidates will begin October 15, 2026.

Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Wouter Van Alebeek,
[e-mail]

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at [phone]. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at [phone].