The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Leadership & Management
Technological Knowledge
The Director of Undergraduate Admissions serves as an experienced, visionary, and student-centered leader.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management in the Division of Enrollment Management & Student Affairs (EMSA), the Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Office of Admissions, playing a pivotal role in advancing the University’s enrollment goals and its 2030 vision of reaching 15,000 students with an 80% retention rate.
The Director will lead a dynamic team to implement innovative recruitment strategies, strengthen enrollment pathways, and ensure that prospective students and families experience a seamless, welcoming, and service-oriented admissions process.
This role requires a strategic thinker, skilled collaborator, and data-informed decision maker who will contribute to UTC’s commitment to access, student success, and community engagement.
Responsibilities:
Leadership & Strategy
- Provides visionary leadership for the Office of Admissions, ensuring alignment with UTC’s strategic enrollment plan, 2030 goals, and divisional priorities
- Develops, implements, and assesses comprehensive recruitment strategies for first-time freshmen, transfer, adult, and military-connected undergraduate students
- Collaborates with campus stakeholders—including academic deans, faculty, staff, and student leaders—to strengthen enrollment pipelines and yield efforts
- Ensures recruitment initiatives are student-centered and responsive to changing demographics and market conditions
Technology, Data & Communications
- Leverages admissions technology platforms (e.g., Banner, CRM systems) to support recruitment, application processing, and data analytics
- Uses data to evaluate recruitment effectiveness, informed decision-making, and guided resource allocation
- Partners with University Marketing & Communications to ensure consistent, compelling, and student-first messaging
Recruitment & Outreach
- Leads the development and execution of recruitment campaigns, including in-person, virtual, regional, and digital engagement strategies
- Oversees partnerships with high schools, community colleges, and regional organizations to strengthen transfer and access pathways
- Ensures strategic outreach to underrepresented, first-generation, and non-traditional student populations
- Represents UTC at key events, conferences, and community engagements, serving as a visible ambassador for the institution
Operations & Compliance
- Provides oversight of admissions operations, including application processing, credential evaluation, transfer credit evaluation, and residency classification
- Ensures compliance with UT System policies and state/federal regulations
- Collaborates with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to ensure timely, integrated communications and a seamless student experience regarding scholarship offers
- Partners with OPIER (Office of Planning, Institutional Effectiveness, and Research) to use data in forecasting, goal setting, and enrollment reporting
Team Development & Supervision
- Leads, mentors, and supports a diverse team of professional staff, graduate assistants, and student employees
- Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, professional development, and service excellence
- Encourages innovation and creative problem-solving within the admissions team
The ideal candidate will possess the following:
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and complex operations
- Proven success in developing and implementing recruitment strategies that achieve enrollment goals
- Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
- Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
- Experience working in a public university or system environment
- Experience with CRM and data management systems (e.g., Banner, Slate)
- Knowledge of Tennessee higher education policy and regional student market trends
- Successful track record of partnership building with academic leadership, faculty, and external stakeholders
Qualifications
- Minimum: Requires a master’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, business, or relevant field; (5) years of progressively responsible experience in college or university admissions, enrollment management, or related field with a minimum of (3) years of supervisory experience; proven, up‑to‑date success in designing and executing recruitment strategies leveraging data‑driven tactics that consistently hit enrollment targets; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- Preferred: An advanced degree; (7) years of progressively responsible experience in college or university admissions, enrollment management, or related field; and experience with Banner Information Systems and ARGOS reporting client is preferred.