Associate Director of Admissions

Title: Associate Director of Admissions

Department: Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications

Location: Belmont, California (Hybrid; Minimum 3 days per week on campus)

Reports To: Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary Range: $85,000–$105,000

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of Admissions serves as the operational leader for the University's admissions function and is responsible for the day-to-day management of recruitment activities, admissions operations, and counselor performance. Reporting to the Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, the Associate Director implements enrollment strategies, supervises admissions staff, manages enrollment pipelines, and ensures an excellent student experience from inquiry through enrollment.

The Associate Director works collaboratively with academic and administrative partners to support enrollment goals and serves as the primary manager of admissions operations, recruitment execution, CRM utilization, and admissions reporting. This position plays a key role in advancing the University's mission by providing prospective students with a personalized, supportive, and efficient admissions experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Admissions Operations Management

•Oversee the daily operations of the admissions office, ensuring efficient and student-centered admissions processes.

•Manage admissions workflow and application processing from inquiry through enrollment.

•Ensure timely communication with prospective students and applicants throughout the admissions cycle.

•Monitor admissions service standards and implement process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.

•Maintain compliance with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and applicable regulations.

Recruitment Execution and Enrollment Support

•Implement recruitment plans and enrollment initiatives developed in collaboration with the Executive Director.

•Coordinate recruitment activities for graduate, degree-completion, transfer, and other targeted student populations.

•Manage outreach efforts including virtual information sessions, recruitment events, webinars, campus visits, and community engagement activities.

•Support the development and execution of recruitment campaigns designed to increase application, admit, and enrollment rates.

•Represent the University at recruitment fairs, employer events, community colleges, and partner organizations.

Staff Supervision and Development

•Directly supervise admissions counselors and support staff.

•Establish performance expectations, goals, and accountability measures for admissions personnel.

•Conduct ongoing coaching, training, and performance evaluations.

•Foster a collaborative, student-centered culture that emphasizes service excellence and enrollment success.

•Support professional development and continuous learning among admissions staff.

CRM and Enrollment Technology Management

•Serve as the operational lead for admissions CRM systems, including Element451 or other enrollment management technologies.

•Ensure effective utilization of communication plans, workflows, automation, and reporting tools.

•Monitor recruitment funnel performance and recommend operational adjustments to improve results.

•Partner with Marketing and Communications to ensure alignment of recruitment communications and prospective student engagement strategies.

•Support the implementation of new technologies, AI-enabled tools, and process enhancements.

Reporting and Data Analysis

•Develop and maintain admissions dashboards, reports, and key performance indicators.

•Monitor inquiry, application, admission, and enrollment conversion metrics.

•Provide regular reporting and analysis to the Executive Director.

•Identify trends and opportunities to improve admissions outcomes and operational efficiency.

•Maintain data integrity and support data-informed decision-making.

Student Experience and Cross-Functional Collaboration

•Champion a high-touch, concierge-style enrollment experience for prospective students.

•Collaborate closely with Financial Aid, Marketing. Registrar, Student Services, and Academic Affairs to streamline communication, synchronize timelines, and ensure consistent messaging across all recruitment and yield activities.

•Assist in developing solutions to remove barriers to enrollment and support student success.

•Serve on university committees and cross-functional teams as assigned.

Partnership Development

•Support relationships with community colleges, employers, school districts, and community organizations.

•Assist in developing transfer pathways and partnership initiatives that support enrollment goals.

•Participate in outreach efforts that strengthen the University's presence in key recruitment markets.

Other Duties

•Participate in commencement, orientation, open houses, and other university events.

•Perform related duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Required Qualifications

•Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; Master's degree preferred.

•Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in admissions, enrollment management, recruitment, or a related field.

•Demonstrated experience supervising and developing professional staff.

•Experience managing CRM systems and enrollment technologies.

•Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.

•Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation abilities.

Demonstrated commitment to customer service and student success.

Preferred Qualifications

•Experience recruiting graduate, transfer, degree-completion, and adult learners.

•Experience with Element451, Slate, Salesforce, or similar CRM platforms.

•Experience in private, faith-based, or mission-driven higher education.

•Familiarity with California higher education markets and transfer pathways.

•Experience utilizing enrollment analytics and technology-enabled recruitment strategies.

Core Competencies

•Admissions Operations Management

•Team Leadership and Staff Development

•Enrollment Pipeline Management

•CRM and Technology Utilization

•Data Analysis and Reporting

•Student-Centered Service

•Collaboration and Relationship Building

•Communication and Presentation Skills

•Continuous Improvement

•Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Application Procedures:

NDNU is committed to providing an educational environment that supports a diverse student population. In your cover letter, please include information about your experiences in working in a diverse environment, and what qualities you would bring to supporting this commitment to inclusive excellence at NDNU.

EEOC Policy:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and in the application of its personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, employment decisions will be made irrespective of the staff member's race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the University will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, if the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform all essential functions of the position and if it will be done without undue hardship to the University.