The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).
The Director of Undergraduate Admissions provides strategic and operational leadership for undergraduate admissions and is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that recruit, admit, enroll, and support the successful transition of a qualified, talented, and diverse undergraduate student body. The director leads recruitment and yield efforts for first-year, transfer, returning, and other designated undergraduate populations and works collaboratively with campus partners whose functions affect the enrollment experience.
The director develops and manages a comprehensive strategic recruitment and enrollment plan aligned with Western Carolina University’s mission, strategic priorities, and UNC System policies and regulations. The director uses enrollment data, market research, technology, and assessment to establish goals; evaluate enrollment funnel performance; develop projections and forecasts; identify emerging markets and opportunities; and adjust strategies in response to demographic, competitive, economic, and policy changes.
The director provides leadership for admissions operations, technology, communications, policy, budgets, staff development, compliance, assessment, and continuous process improvement. The director is responsible for ensuring prospective students and families receive timely, accurate, personalized, and student-centered information and service from initial inquiry through matriculation.
The director develops and maintains strong campus and external partnerships and collaborates with academic units, Financial Aid, University Scholarships, the Registrar, Orientation, Marketing and Communications, student success units, Institutional Research, Information Technology, high schools, community colleges, counselors, advisors, alumni, and other partners. The director is responsible for developing and overseeing programming and disseminating timely and accurate information to high school counselors, community college advisors, and Cat Eyes Alumni members to support recruitment, referral, and enrollment goals.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage students, families, counselors, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and technology skills related to admissions operations and enrollment management.
- Ability to explain complex higher education concepts clearly and market the institution effectively.
- Strong interpersonal, public speaking, writing, collaboration, multitasking, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to high standards, quality service, and professional ethics.
