Admissions & Recruitment Officer 

Job Type:

Regular Admissions & Recruitment Officer About the RAND School of Public Policy The RAND School of Public Policy prepares students to become leaders and problem-solvers equipped to address complex policy challenges. As part of RAND, a leading public policy research organization, the School combines rigorous graduate education with real-world research and analysis to develop the next generation of policy professionals. Position Overview The RAND School of Public Policy seeks a strategic, relationship-oriented Admissions & Recruitment Officer to support enrollment growth and expand the School's visibility among prospective students, academic institutions, and mission-aligned organizations. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Enrollment and New Programs, the Admissions & Recruitment Officer serves as a senior individual contributor responsible for developing and implementing recruitment strategies, cultivating external partnerships, and representing the RAND School to prospective students, institutional partners, and professional communities. This position will play a key role in advancing the School's enrollment objectives by identifying new recruitment opportunities, strengthening institutional visibility, analyzing recruitment trends, and supporting long-term growth initiatives. The successful candidate will exercise substantial independence and professional judgment in planning and executing outreach, partnership development, and recruitment activities, with a particular focus on the Washington, DC region and other strategic markets. Key Responsibilities Develop and implement regional and national recruitment strategies aligned with RAND School enrollment goals, with emphasis on Washington, DC and other strategic markets. Serve as a primary external representative of the RAND School, cultivating and sustaining relationships with universities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, military and public service networks, and other mission-aligned partners to strengthen recruitment pipelines. Lead outreach and engagement efforts in the Washington, DC region to enhance the School's visibility, identify new recruitment opportunities, and strengthen institutional presence within key policy and public service communities. Analyze admissions, enrollment, and market data to identify trends, evaluate recruitment effectiveness, monitor competitor activity, and provide recommendations that support enrollment strategy and long-term growth planning. Represent the RAND School at conferences, graduate fairs, professional meetings, recruitment events, and virtual engagement opportunities to increase awareness and generate prospective student interest. Identify, establish, and manage strategic partnerships with external organizations and academic institutions to expand access to prospective student populations and support recruitment objectives. Lead or support special projects related to recruitment strategy, market expansion, and admissions initiatives in collaboration with internal stakeholders across RAND. Support admissions and enrollment goals through participation in applicant engagement, admissions review, yield activities, and other recruitment-related initiatives as needed. Identify emerging opportunities, new markets, and innovative approaches to strengthen recruitment outcomes and institutional growth. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic recruitment, outreach, or business development initiatives. Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience cultivating partnerships with external organizations and senior-level constituencies. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, presentations, and external representation. Experience identifying emerging opportunities, new markets, and partnership pathways that support organizational growth. Experience working with CRM, admissions, marketing automation, or related systems to support outreach, reporting, and strategic decision-making. Ability to analyze enrollment, recruitment, and market data and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Strong project management skills with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities and initiatives. Ability to collaborate effectively across teams while exercising sound professional judgment, initiative, and autonomy. Experience in higher education, public policy, nonprofit, government, research, or mission-driven organizations preferred. Familiarity with graduate admissions and enrollment management practices preferred. Familiarity with the Washington, DC higher education, policy, government, or nonprofit landscape strongly preferred. Experience with Element451 or similar CRM platforms (e.g., Slate, Salesforce, HubSpot) preferred. Ability and willingness to travel to support recruitment activities, conferences, partnership engagement, and institutional outreach efforts. Travel Periodic domestic travel is required to support recruitment initiatives, conferences, partnership development, and other institutional priorities. Education Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in public policy, higher education, business, communications, or a related field preferred. Experience Minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in admissions, recruitment, partnership development, business development, external affairs, higher education, or a related field. Location This position is based in Arlington, VA. (

Note:

The Admissions & Recruitment Officer is expected to maintain a strong presence within the Washington, DC region and regularly engage with universities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, and other external partners.)

Salary Range:

$75,700 - $112,400 RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more. Equal Opportunity Employer RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND's research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. RAND has approximately 1,750 people working in offices in the United States, Europe, and Australia, with annual revenues of $470 million. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, international organizations, and foundations. We rely on philanthropic support to pursue visionary ideas; address critical problems that are under-researched; and devise innovative approaches for solving acute, complex, or provocative policy challenges. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions. We emphasize a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff. RAND's reputation is built on quality and objectivity. RAND provides an exciting intellectual environment and opportunities for career growth with challenging assignments. As collaboration in interdisciplinary teams is an essential operating principle at RAND, we hire highly qualified talent and empower our people to do their best work by fostering a culture in which different views, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued and respected, and staff have a sense of belonging with their colleagues, fair access to opportunities, and feel comfortable bringing their best selves to work each day. As part of our commitment to Equal Opportunity Employment, we welcome all applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences to apply for this exciting opportunity. RAND is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact Human Resources at (310) 393-0411 or at jobs@rand.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.