The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
The Director of Enrollment Operations works closely with the Vice President of Enrollment and Communication (VP) to further the mission and goals of Bluffton University through exemplary enrollment management practices. The Director reports to the VP and manages people, programs and projects as assigned to optimize the work of the enrollment division in support of institutional objectives.
Working closely with the VP and cross-campus partners, the Director of Enrollment Operations provides operational and visionary leadership to the Office of Admissions and supports cross-functional initiatives across the enrollment funnel, including recruitment, yield, marketing, data analytics, and transfer and access pipelines. A successful Director of Enrollment Operations candidate cultivates a relationally rich enrollment culture that connects prospective students and families with the Bluffton community. Through authentic collaboration across campus, the Director strengthens the University’s ability to recruit, enroll, and retain students while fostering a professional culture of trust, accountability and share purpose within the admissions team.
ADMISSIONS OPERATIONS:
- Provides direct supervision, coaching, and professional development to the admission team, with particular emphasis on admission counselors and graduate assistants. Fosters a high-performance culture built around trust, collaboration, professional growth, shared ownership and mutual accountability.
- Implement the annual admissions marketing communication email strategy. Responsible for daily review of email campaigns and queries, including monitoring the success of campaigns and making recommendations to the VP based on findings.
- Serve as senior leader at all admissions group events and serve as the backup personal visit coordinator.
- Leverages CRM systems (Salesforce), analytics tools, and performance dashboards to monitor progress toward enrollment targets, optimize territory management, and assess ROI on recruitment initiatives.
- Collaborates with the VPEM and institutional research staff to interpret technical and statistical data to support strategic planning, institutional reporting, and forecasting. Manages training for all CRM users.
- Manage the special scholarship award process with support and direction from the director of financial aid.
- Assist the VP in developing strategies for Bluffton’s enrollment program to support the university’s multi-year strategic objectives.
RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT:
- Responsible for building productive working relationships with all functional areas on campus.
- Build a culture of relational recruitment with prospective students, families, high school counselors, pastors, alumni, coaches, faculty and community partners that fits within Bluffton’s educational identity.
- Represents the University Enrollment division (and the VP) in a variety of senior leadership meetings across campus and externally, strengthening confidence, collaboration and goodwill.
RECRUITMENT:
- Manage Admissions special recruitment initiatives and strategies each year, including communication tactics and event planning, to accomplish enrollment goals.
- Attend and support fall and spring travel plans in collaboration with admissions counselors.
- Develop and execute a Mennonite student recruitment plan.
- Fill in to recruit any open recruitment territories as needed.
Secondary Responsibilities:
- Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.
- Participate in ongoing professional development activities as relevant, to maintain and enhance skills and abilities, and to advance Bluffton’s priorities.
Minimum:
- Education/Certification: M.A., MBA or equivalent professional credentials
- Experience: 5+ years’ experience in higher education or sales and marketing; Experience managing professional staff.
- Advanced experience with CRM system use, data analytics, and integrated enrollment marketing. Salesforce preferred.
Skill/Abilities:
Passion for and ability to generate, implement and communicate strategies that advance the university’s mission, priorities, reputation and sustainability including financial support. Excellent communication and organizational skills, ability to express the vision and mission of Bluffton University in spoken and written word. Ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels of an organization, i.e. senior leaders. Ability to manage multiple projects, work on deadline and achieve results. Ability to think strategically and to implement and manage change. Ability to mentor and motivate a high performing staff. Knowledge of broad scope of higher education advancement including best practices.
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
Must possess a valid driver’s license and drive an automobile.
Employment decisions are based on merit and university needs, and not on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other status protected by law. As a religious institution, Bluffton University expressly reserves its rights to appoint faculty and staff who share a commitment to the Christian faith which is consistent with the Mennonite/Anabaptist beliefs of the university’s founding and supporting church. EOE.
Consideration of applications will begin immediately and continue until this position is filled.
Applications are considered complete when the following materials are received at the office indicated below:
- Letter of interest
- Resume
- Completed Bluffton employment application
Send application materials to:
Human resources
Bluffton University
1 University Drive
Bluffton, OH 45817-2104
[email protected]
Posted 08/11/26
