Associate Director of Recruitment

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 04/21/2024.

Compensation Range: 68,000.00 – 72,500.00 USD per year

Position Summary

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) Office of Admission seeks an inclusive, experienced and enthusiastic admissions professional to join our team. The Associate Director of Recruitment reports directly to the Director of Admissions and is a key member of the Office of Admissions leadership team. The Associate Director of Recruitment is expected to lead, mentor and coach in all matters related to strategic recruitment and provide high-level leadership over several major project areas including territory management, progress reports, undergraduate application review, staff training and supervision, and professional development. The position is responsible for leading a team of nine full-time staff including direct supervision of three assistant directors
collectively responsible for strategic recruitment, admission counseling, and enrollment of domestic first year and transfer students. The successful candidate should have an understanding of recruitment and admissions best practices.

As a member of the admissions leadership team, the Associate Director of Recruitment is expected to model standards of excellence and ensure service values are upheld at all times especially while serving and supporting external individuals and groups from a variety of backgrounds, abilities and identities. The Associate Director of Recruitment is expected to work cooperatively and strategically with internal and external stakeholders as they execute UNC’s undergraduate Strategic Recruitment and Yield Plan. As a part of that plan, this person will implement, evaluate and report on strategies related to areas such as travel and outreach, application generation and completion, holistic application review, and yield/melt initiatives. As a key factor in meeting enrollment and service goals this person will directly contribute to the enrollment and retention of a diverse, talented, and academically prepared undergraduate class, advancing UNC’s students-first mindset, and elevating our commitment to DEI and designation an HSI.

Job Duties

Leadership & Territory Management (70%)
• Assist with development, implementation and evaluation of the Strategic Recruitment and Yield Plan promoting a data-informed, relationship-based, and highly collaborative approach to recruitment and territory management.
• Lead and inspire nine full-time employees responsible for the recruitment of domestic first-year and transfer students. Responsible for documentation goal-setting and annual performance evaluations for all team members including three direct reports.
• Promote a data-informed, relationship-based, and highly collaborative approach to recruitment.
• Primary decision-maker regarding requests for UNC presence at events including but not limited to high school visits, college fairs, college nights, application events, school and program recognition events, etc.
• Oversee coordination and training around strategic recruitment activities including recruitment travel, campus visit presentations, outreach and engagement activities, data entry and accurate record-keeping, customer service values, query and report management, etc.
• Set expectations, provide mentorship, and create positive feedback systems for recruitment team staff to ensure ongoing growth and professional development.
• Lead and coordinate effective weekly recruitment team meetings and ongoing trainings to enhance skills, knowledge, and confidence in providing professionalized admissions counseling to prospective students and families/support systems at all stages in the recruitment and enrollment process.
• Provide feedback and coaching as needed to support assistant directors in executing targeted recruitment efforts as they relate to transfer initiatives, diversity and access, honors scholar recruitment, and more.
• Responsible for managing an assigned recruitment territory.

Application Review & Decision Release (20%)
• Assign and monitor application reader queues and reader expectations to expedite counselor review and timely decision release for undergraduate applicants
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Associate Director of Operations and undergraduate processing team to provide data-informed suggestions for improvement to application review forms and workflows, decision communications, queue assignment rules, etc.
• Support the Director of Admissions in the release of undergraduate admissions decisions and review of committee and decision appeals.
• Lead annual application reader training for recruitment team staff; provide ongoing training and support as needed to ensure accurate and timely processing of admissions applications.

Departmental Leadership (10%)
• Noticeably contribute to weekly admissions leadership team meetings; provide vision, leadership, inspiration, and advocacy for admissions staff; Assist with budget development, oversight, and planning procedures.
• Proactively contribute to efforts to create and sustain a radically inclusive work environment including actively participate in trainings and learning opportunities focused on social justice, inclusion, diversity, and issues that impact historically marginalized groups in higher education.
• Liaise with marcomm and events teams in the development and execution of in-person and virtual event programming, relevant communications, promotional pieces and website updates.
• Contribute to the development of strategies that advance use of best practices in areas of recruitment, campus visits and events, communications, and processing/operations.
• Serve as a conduit for proactive information sharing between and across teams and divisions regarding areas such as enrollment reporting and PowerBI reports, UNC academic and programs, campus resources, unique opportunities for study, news stories, marketing and brand campaigns, etc.
• Seek out opportunities to receive feedback and expand professional skills and knowledge including performance feedback, professional conferences, and presentation opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Required bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution

Experience:
Required Job Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
• Minimum of four years of professional work in admissions, enrollment management, higher education, or related field
• Demonstrated experience working directly with high school or college students and/or their families and support persons in a leadership or service role
• Minimum of one year professional experience supervising full-time staff
• Excellent written communication and oral presentation/public speaking skills
• Sustained and ongoing commitment to creating inclusive spaces and advancing knowledge in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• A valid driver’s license with the ability to travel and work nights and weekends as necessary

Preferred Job Qualifications:
• Master’s Degree in Higher Education or a related field
• Six years of progressively increasing responsibility and leadership within Higher Education Admissions/Enrollment Management
• Proficient in ability to learn and leverage use of technology (Microsoft Office Suite, Slate CRM Database)
• Outstanding interpersonal, customer-service, collaboration, and relationship-management skills
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively, critically, strategically, and analytically
• Experience with and continued interest in recruiting and serving historically marginalized populations and their families/support networks
• Bilingual Spanish language speaking and writing
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion & social justice

Certification/Registration/Licensing:
Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.

Ability:
Beyond the minimum and preferred qualifications posted with the position, the following are desired Core Competencies:
• Vision and ability to implement innovative ideas
• Is culturally responsive and maintains a mindset and awareness that creates and promotes an environment that embraces values of radical inclusion
• Able to excel in a fast-paced, collaborative and consultative work environment
• Ability to lead and effectively manage change in a dynamic organization
• Assume accountability/dependability for quality of work
• Capacity to supervise and provide oversight of staff including effective training, task management, and assessment of job performance of staff
• Generate sound judgment, makes timely and informed decisions, and analyzes options to determine appropriate course of action
• Ability to resolve conflict and problems as they arise
• Exhibits behavior and leadership style that promotes teamwork and mutual support to achieve goals

Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. According to CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index, UNC ranked #1 in social mobility (2022). UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
The University of Northern Colorado believes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is the pathway to achieving an inclusive community and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. UNC supports the growth of individuals who care about race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability – to honor the intersectionality of our campus. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub to learn more about UNC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

AAEO Employer
The University of Northern Colorado is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer that is committed to a culturally diverse staff, faculty, and student body.

The University will not engage in unlawful discrimination in employment or educational services against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Veteran status and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is the University’s policy to prohibit discrimination in employment or educational services on the basis of sexual orientation or political affiliation. The University will likewise take affirmative action to ensure that student applicants and enrolled students are treated during the enrollment at the University without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. Such affirmative action shall include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff, retirement, or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. Furthermore, the University will post in conspicuous places, notice setting forth the provisions of this University’s Equal Opportunity Policy.

Federal regulations require that the University of Northern Colorado retain all documents submitted by applicants. Materials will not be returned or copied for applicants.

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.

This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.