Opportunity

THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS DARTMOUTH
Director of Admissions
North Dartmouth, MA

Director of Admissions
THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS DARTMOUTH

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth seeks applications and nominations for a highly qualified candidate to bring clarified purpose and vision to the recruitment and retention of undergraduate students who will be able to take maximum advantage of the University’s goals for furthering the development of an engaged, embedded and evolving campus. With its exceptional outreach programs to the communities surrounding the University and its recent Carnegie Classification as a Community Engagement institution for both Curricular Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships, U Mass Dartmouth enjoys a reputation among the U Mass system institutions of being the campus that is the most engaged and embedded in its community.

While retaining its commitment to excellence in undergraduate education, the University has dramatically increased its research and outreach activities in ways that meet regional needs but have global impact. Some examples of its impressive outreach efforts include centers in: Policy Studies; Portuguese Studies & Culture; Marketing Research; University, School and Community Partnerships; the James J. Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education; the National Botulinum Research Center, and the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute. This significant increase in both research and outreach has led to many more opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in these activities.

The University has also been ranked among the top northern public universities by U.S. News and World Report. It offers a broad range of baccalaureate and graduate degrees through its Colleges of: Arts and Sciences; Engineering; Nursing; Visual and Performing Arts; the Charlton College of Business; and the Schools of: Education, Public Policy and Civic Engagement; and Marine Science and Technology. 9,155 students are enrolled at the University. Fifty-five percent of the University’s 7,982 undergraduate students live on campus, and 85% of the first year class lives on campus. The University is a unionized environment.

The Director of Admissions reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and is a member of the University’s enrollment management team. The Director oversees a staff of nine full time professional staff, all direct reports. The unit’s operating budget is $1.5M including personnel. Ongoing responsibilities include: formulation of admissions standards and enrollment targets; ensuring effective and professional communications with prospects, applicants, their families and counselors; development of electronic databases within the University’s Student Information System; budget management; working with faculty, staff, and administrators to develop marketing strategies and recruitment events; and preparing and presenting to the Chancellor’s cabinet comprehensive reports and data analyses related to admissions trends and demographics.

Additional responsibilities include developing strategies for enhancement of web-based recruitment and communication initiatives, and participating in cooperative and collaborative relationships with institutions within the University of Massachusetts system and with other public and private institutions within the state. The Director will also oversee the development of annual and longer range enrollment management goals and targets, and will oversee the development of Admissions Office marketing and communication strategies.

Minimum educational and experience qualifications for the Director are a master’s degree and significant higher education experience reflecting a record of successful and progressively responsible positions in admissions that qualify the candidate for a position at the Director level. Direct experience in budget management and enrollment planning and analysis including long range enrollment planning with senior institutional leadership is a must. Candidates will also demonstrate a record of success in developing and implementing enrollment and marketing plans that produce stronger applicant pools and greater yields. Finally, the incumbent will have exceptional skills in the area of marketing and will be particularly proficient in the use of current and cutting-edge marketing technology and social networking tools.

Exceptional communication skills, including effective writing, public speaking, and persuasive competencies, are also necessary, as are skills in statistical analysis and the ability to write clear, succinct reports related to admissions trends and demographics. Excellent consensus development and team building skills are critical. Finally, the successful candidate will be able to articulate a commitment to access, diversity, and academic quality that is consistent with the expectations of the University community.

Interested individuals should send a letter describing their interest in and qualifications for the position, a resume, and contact information including mailing and email addresses for three references. References must include a direct supervisor and other professional colleagues who are familiar with and able to speak to the candidate’s experiences and abilities in relation to the qualifications described above. The packet should be sent electronically (Microsoft Word attachments preferred) to leadership@wspelman.com. The subject line in the email should be UMDA. Documents that must be mailed should be sent to William Spelman Executive Search at 667 Midship Circle, Webster, NY 14580.

Confidential inquiries will be received at 585.787-9742. Confidentiality will be maintained, and references will not be contacted without prior knowledge or approval of the candidate. The review date for applications is March 8, 2010. The process will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

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