Metro New York & Southern Connecticut

SUMMARY:  
The Director of Admissions (DOA) plays a vital leadership role in shaping and guiding a student-centered admissions experience aligned with the mission and values of Pacifica Graduate Institute, a premier institution focused on depth psychology. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Strategic Enrollment and Student Success (VPOSESS), the DOA will provide strategic oversight of the Admissions department, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience for prospective students while driving data-informed enrollment strategies.

The DOA will lead the admissions and outreach team, foster cross-departmental collaboration, and implement innovative strategies to enhance recruitment, enrollment, and student engagement. This position requires strong management skills, the ability to analyze enrollment data to guide decision-making, and the capacity to build meaningful relationships that support the institute's long-term enrollment goals.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

Strategic Leadership and Operations

• Develop and execute a comprehensive admissions strategy aligned with institutional goals.
• Analyze enrollment trends and prospective student behaviors to refine recruitment strategies and improve conversion rates.
• Provide strong leadership and mentorship to the admissions team, fostering a collaborative, student-focused culture.
• Partner with the VPOSESS to set enrollment targets and establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for the admissions team.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of admissions data across multiple platforms, including CRM, SMS, and other institutional systems.
• Oversee the development and distribution of admission-related communications, including enrollment agreements and admissions letters.
• Monitor and reconcile enrollment reports to maintain real-time data accuracy and provide actionable insights.
• Lead the implementation of automated and streamlined processes to improve efficiency and enhance the student experience.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and federal and state regulations.

Innovation and Process Improvement

• Identify and implement innovative recruitment strategies to attract highly qualified applicant pool that is reflective of the world.
• Develop and test new approaches to improve applicant engagement and enhance the admissions journey.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices to continuously improve admissions processes and outreach efforts.
• Introduce new data analysis methods to evaluate recruitment outcomes and identify areas for growth and improvement.

Interdepartmental Collaboration

• Partner with academic departments to refine admissions review processes and ensure alignment with academic expectations and program goals.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid, Student Services, and Academic Affairs to create a cohesive and supportive enrollment experience.
• Work closely with faculty and department chairs to communicate admissions trends and ensure alignment with program offerings and institutional priorities.
• Partner with Library Services, Academic Affairs, and Student Services to facilitate orientation and the transition to graduate study.
• Coordinate with the Director of Marketing to develop targeted recruitment campaigns and outreach materials that resonate with prospective students.

Student Recruitment and Counseling

• Implement a student-centered, relationship-driven approach to recruitment.
• Provide admissions counseling that emphasizes the transformative potential of a graduate education rooted in depth psychology.
• Train and support admissions advisors to engage prospective students with authenticity, transparency, and care.
• Develop outreach strategies to attract a diverse and mission-aligned applicant pool.
• Foster meaningful relationships with prospective students through personalized follow-up and engagement.
• Oversee the execution of an admissions communication plan that provides consistent and clear touchpoints from inquiry to matriculation.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Track and analyze recruitment data, conversion rates, and applicant behaviors to refine admissions strategies.
• Provide regular reports and insights to senior leadership on enrollment trends, forecasting, and strategic adjustments.
• Use data to identify gaps and opportunities in recruitment, ensuring targeted and effective outreach.
• Ensure real-time tracking of prospective students, enabling timely follow-up and personalized engagement.

Compliance and Ethical Standards

• Ensure that all admissions practices adhere to institutional policies and regulatory requirements.
• Promote ethical and transparent recruitment practices that align with the institute’s mission and values.
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity in all admissions decisions and interactions with prospective students.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in admissions and enrollment.

Preferred Experience

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with faculty, staff, and prospective students
• Prior Director level experience within related field.

• Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret complex enrollment data and translate it into actionable strategies.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite –  Excel, Word, and Powerpoint.

• Experience with CRMs (i.e., Slate), with ERPs (especially Power Campus, Jenzabar), event registration software (i.e., EventBrite), SurveyMonkey, and DocuSign are strongly desired.

• Experience working in an academic environment.

• Excellent interpersonal, communications, public speaking, and presentation skills.

• Exceptional attention to detail.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and work effectively, independently, and efficiently with tight time constraints.

• Ability to work a varying schedule to include evenings, weekends, extended hours and occasional holidays as needed to support recruitment efforts.

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About Pacifica Graduate Institute

Pacifica Graduate Institute is an accredited graduate school offering masters and doctoral degree programs framed in the traditions in depth psychology. The Institute has established an educational environment that nourishes respect for cultural diversity and individual differences, and an academic community that fosters a spirit of free and open inquiry. Students have access to an impressive array of education resources on Pacifica’s two campuses, located few miles south of Santa Barbara, CA.

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