Senior Associate Director of Admissions

Roanoke College is a place where every student who works hard has the opportunity to succeed. We champion potential, providing essential learning and leadership through innovative academic programs and transformative educational experiences, giving students the mettle, mindset, and empathy to pursue lives of purpose, build meaningful careers, and meet society's most pressing needs. Located in scenic Salem, Virginia, Roanoke College is an intimate, welcoming community that has served the local region and beyond for nearly 200 years. Now, we're building on momentum and offering a Roanoke experience for today's students and a legacy that belongs to every Maroon. Learn about the College's new strategic plan, Imagine Roanoke: A Strategic Plan for Roanoke College and the 21st Century Learner.

Roanoke College is a nationally ranked residential liberal arts college affiliated with the Lutheran Church (ELCA), located in the beautiful Roanoke Valley of Virginia. A Phi Beta Kappa institution, Roanoke College is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity among its faculty, staff, and students; women and members of under-represented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

The Senior Associate Director of Admissions is a senior leadership position within the Admissions Office, responsible for overseeing the recruitment, evaluation, and enrollment of students. This role requires a strategic, data-informed approach to shaping the incoming class, managing a team, and developing and implementing recruitment strategies that align with the school's mission and goals. The Senior Associate Director will work closely with the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and other members of the senior leadership team to build relationships with prospective students, families, and school counselors, while ensuring the integrity and diversity of the student body.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements recruitment strategies to attract a diverse and highly qualified pool of applicants from domestic and international markets.
• Represents the college at high school visits, college fairs, regional receptions, and other recruitment events.
• Builds and maintains relationships with high school counselors, community-based organizations, and other external partners.
• Oversees outreach efforts to underrepresented groups and underserved communities, ensuring that the admissions process is inclusive and equitable.
• Leads a team of admissions counselors and staff to evaluate applications, conduct interviews, and make admissions decisions.
• Provides expertise in reading and evaluating applicant files, considering academic performance, extracurricular involvement, essays, letters of recommendations, and other factors.
• Contributes to the development of selection criteria and processes that support the school's enrollment goals and institutional priorities.
• Supports efforts to ensure the balance of the incoming class in terms of academic ability, geographic diversity, socioeconomic status, and other institutional priorities.
• Supervises and mentor a team of admissions counselors, supporting their professional development and helping to set goals aligned with the broader strategic objectives of the office.
• Develops training materials and conduct regular team meetings to ensure alignment with admissions policies and goals.
• Analyzes admissions data to track trends, evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment strategies, and report on key metrics related to application volume, yield, and demographics.
• Oversees the planning and execution of on-campus recruitment events, including information sessions, open houses, and admitted student days.
• Leads or coordinates virtual events and webinars for prospective students and families.
• Provides leadership in shaping the campus visit experience, ensuring it aligns with the institution's culture and values.
• Collaborates with marketing and communications team to develop and implement a comprehensive admissions marketing plan.
• Works closely with other institutional constituencies to ensure alignment between offices/divisions.

Education, Experience, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 5 - 7 years of experience in undergraduate admissions or related field with at least 2 - 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Strong knowledge of admissions practices, policies and ethical standards.
• Deep understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in the admissions process
• Ability to work collaboratively and empathetically with diverse populations.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with the Technolutions Slate CRM system, data analysis tools and Microsoft Office suite