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SC
Southern California Institute of Technology
Director of Admissions
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What they do
A Director of Admissions leads the admissions department of a college or university. Oversees the management of applications from prospective students of the institution and directs both prospective student outreach and recruitment efforts, and the process of determining which applications to accept.
$121,334 / year median in California
+9% projected growth
Job Description
Position Summary The Director of Admissions is responsible for the full ownership, performance, and continuous improvement of the institution's admissions function. This role leads both the strategy and execution of student enrollment, ensuring a structured, ethical, and high-performing admissions operation. The Director will build and manage a results-driven team, establish clear processes and accountability, and drive measurable improvements in enrollment outcomes. This is a hands-on leadership role within a growing institution, requiring both strategic thinking and operational execution. The ideal candidate is a high-agency leader who can create structure where needed, lead with accountability, and operate effectively in a lean, mission-driven environment. Key Outcomes Success in this role will be measured by: Consistent and predictable enrollment performance aligned with institutional goals Improved conversion rates across the admissions funnel (inquiry to enrollment) A structured, well-documented, and scalable admissions process A high-performing admissions team with clear metrics and accountability Timely, accurate, and compliant processing of all applicants Strong cross-functional alignment with Financial Aid, Academics, and Operations Responsibilities Admissions Leadership & Ownership Own all aspects of admissions performance, including inquiry generation, conversion, and enrollment outcomes Develop and execute strategies to meet and exceed enrollment targets Establish clear goals, metrics, and reporting systems to track performance Team Leadership and Accountability Build, lead, and manage a high-performing admissions team Set clear expectations and performance standards for Admissions Advisors Provide ongoing coaching, training, and performance feedback Address underperformance directly and constructively to maintain team effectiveness Process Development & Optimization Evaluate, redesign, and continuously improve admissions processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness Implement and manage CRM/enrollment systems to support tracking, reporting, and decision-making Ensure processes are clearly documented, standardized, and scalable Operations Management Oversee day-to-day admissions operations from initial inquiry through enrollment Ensure timely and accurate responses to all prospective student inquiries Maintain a seamless and professional experience for prospective students Compliance and Ethics Ensure all admissions practices comply with institutional policies and regulatory requirements Promote and enforce ethical enrollment practices across the team Maintain accurate and complete applicant records Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with Financial Aid, Registrar, and Academic leadership to support student onboarding and success Ensure alignment between admissions commitments and institutional capabilities Data and Reporting Establish a regular reporting cadence on admissions performance Use data to identify trends, diagnose issues, and drive improvements Present insights and recommendations to senior leadership Events and External Representation Oversee admissions-related events, including campus visits, orientations, and outreach activities Represent the institution professionally at external events such as college fairs Qualification Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred 5+ years of experience in admissions, enrollment management, sales, or a related field 2-3+ years of experience leading and managing teams Demonstrated success in improving performance metrics (enrollment, conversion, or similar) Experience working in a regulated or compliance-driven environment preferred (higher education strongly preferred) Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills Experience with CRM or enrollment management systems Work Environment & Expectations This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both strategic oversight and operational involvement The Director is expected to operate with a high level of ownership and accountability Success requires comfort working in a lean, fast-paced, and evolving environment The regular work schedule is intended to be from 9am to 6pm, Mondays-Fridays, but may alter depending on need. This position is onsite