Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean
Location: Rochester, New York
Position Summary
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, a 207-year-old historic theological institution, seeks a dynamic, strategic, and mission-centered leader for the role of Director of Admissions, Enrollment, and Recruitment. This position provides visionary leadership in developing and implementing enrollment strategies that advance the institution's mission, values, and theological identity.
The Director will recruit, admit, enroll, and support a diverse community of students preparing for ministry, scholarship, leadership, and service in the church and society. The successful candidate will bring strong administrative skills, relational leadership, seminary awareness, and innovative approaches to enrollment amid the changing landscape of theological education.
As a key institutional leader within academic affairs, the Director will collaborate with student services, faculty, advancement, alumni, and denominational and community partners to strengthen enrollment pipelines, enhance the student experience, and cultivate sustainable growth.
Essential Responsibilities
Enrollment Strategy and Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive, mission-aligned enrollment management plan that supports institutional goals and strategic priorities.
- Analyze enrollment trends, demographic shifts, student needs, and developments in theological education to inform recruitment and retention strategies.
- Establish measurable enrollment goals, assessment practices, and processes for continuous improvement.
- Lead initiatives that increase student access, persistence, and completion.
Admissions Management
- Oversee all aspects of the admissions process, including inquiry generation, application review, admission decisions, yield strategies, and new student onboarding.
- Ensure admissions policies and practices reflect the institution's values of academic excellence, spiritual formation, hospitality, justice, and inclusion.
- Build efficient systems for communicating with prospective students from initial inquiry through matriculation.
- Maintain accurate enrollment records and ensure compliance with institutional policies and accreditation requirements.
Recruitment and Outreach
- Develop innovative recruitment strategies for online programs, certificates, degrees, and continuing education.
- Build relationships with churches, denominations, ministry networks, community organizations, colleges and universities, and theological partners.
- Represent the seminary at conferences, gatherings, churches, and other educational and recruitment events.
- Develop recruitment initiatives that expand access for historically underrepresented communities.
Student Engagement and Formation
- Cultivate a welcoming, relational admissions experience that reflects the seminary's theological commitments.
- Partner with student services to ensure a smooth transition from recruitment to enrollment and from enrollment to student success.
- Support programs that strengthen belonging, retention, and student achievement.
Team Leadership and Collaboration
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate admissions and recruitment staff.
- Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, accountability, and hospitality.
- Partner with academic leadership to align recruitment efforts with curriculum, faculty expertise, and institutional priorities.
- Work with marketing and communications teams to strengthen institutional visibility and storytelling.
Qualifications
Required
- Master's degree required; a theological degree (M.Div., M.A., Th.M., or related) preferred.
- Experience in admissions, enrollment management, recruitment, student services, higher education administration, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic recruitment initiatives.
- Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a diverse academic and faith-based community.
- Commitment to theological education and to preparing leaders for church and society.
Preferred
- Experience in theological education, seminaries, divinity schools, or faith-based higher education.
- Knowledge of enrollment trends affecting theological education.
- Experience with POPULI systems, student information systems, and enrollment analytics.
- Understanding of graduate theological students, ministry formation, and vocational discernment.
- Experience recruiting diverse student populations across cultures, traditions, and generations.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School is committed to building a learning community that reflects the breadth of God's creation and welcomes students, faculty, staff, and partners from diverse backgrounds, traditions, cultures, and experiences.
The Director of Admissions, Enrollment and Recruitment will play a critical role in advancing a community where every student experiences dignity, belonging, and the opportunity to flourish.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $60,000–$75,000, with consideration given for graduate education and years of experience.
Application Process
Applicants should submit:
- A cover letter addressing their interest in the position and alignment with the seminary's mission
- A curriculum vitae or résumé
- A statement of commitment to theological education, diversity, and student formation
- Contact information for three professional references
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School is an equal opportunity employer.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Education:
Ability to Commute:
- Rochester, NY 14604 (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
