Associate Director Student Recruitment

Data Interpretation & Application
Leadership & Management
Problem Solving

 

Job Description

Iowa State University is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as the Associate Director Student Recruitment in the Office of Admissions. This role provides vision and direction for recruitment efforts across domestic and international markets, leading high-performing teams to achieve enrollment goals and support institutional priorities. The successful candidate will bring strong leadership skills, an innovative mindset, and the ability to build partnerships across campus and beyond to advance student recruitment and success.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, business, communications, or a related field.
• Experience leading large teams across multiple locations or in hybrid/remote settings.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing data-driven recruitment strategies.
• Knowledge of international student recruitment, visa processes, and global enrollment trends.
• Experience with CRM and recruitment technologies (e.g., Salesforce or similar).
• Involvement in professional organizations such as NACAC, NAFSA, ACT Council, or ACAC.

Key Responsibilities

• Set functional directives for recruitment teams, ensuring alignment with the subdivision’s strategic plan.
• Build and lead high-performing teams that achieve common goals.
• Develop, implement, and monitor innovative, data-driven recruitment strategies that support domestic and international first-year and transfer enrollment goals.
• Lead a comprehensive territory management system using data, technology (e.g., Salesforce), and relationship-building practices.
• Monitor recruitment outcomes, adjusting strategies to meet or exceed enrollment, tuition revenue, and class composition goals.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Admissions, offering strategic insight and proactive solutions.
• Serve as a member of the Admissions senior leadership team, helping to shape office policy, strategy, and initiatives that enhance the Office of Admissions as an employer of choice.
• Mentor, coach, and develop staff through ongoing feedback, engagement, and growth opportunities.
• Lead and support staff across on-campus, hybrid, and remote work environments, managing emergent travel or staffing situations as needed.
• Partner with HR and unit leaders to maintain and execute staffing plans.
• Provide full supervisory responsibility for direct reports, including hiring, performance management, and professional development.
• Oversee annual and multi-year planning for recruitment projects, budgets, and resource needs.
• Direct recruitment budgets in collaboration with leadership and fiscal managers; present annual budget recommendations.
• Ensure Iowa State is effectively represented through high school visits, college fairs, events, and outreach programs locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Conduct research to stay informed on recruitment trends, student behaviors, and the impacts of state and federal policy.
• Collaborate with academic colleges, campus partners, and statewide committees to align recruitment strategies and share actionable data.
• Represent Iowa State in professional organizations, building a strong external network and contributing to best practices in the field.
• Serve as a representative of the university and department at key meetings, events, and committees on and off campus.
• Collaborate with the Admissions systems team on the CRM implementation to ensure recruitment efforts are supported.

Job Traveling : 0-20%