Associate Director, Full-Time MBA Admissions (HR Title: Student Recruiter III)

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence. Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact. SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. This position is responsible for recruiting high quality candidates for the full-time Cox MBA (FTMBA) programs (One & Two Year) and related dual-degree programs (MA/MBA, JD/MBA, & M.S. Engineering/MBA). These programs represent 165+ students per year, compete amidst a highly-competitive market for top-tier students, and are critical to the reputation and rankings of the Cox school. The individual will travel domestically and internationally to recruit a diverse class of students. This position will review applications and conduct interviews to assess the applicant's success in the program and future career goals, making admissions and scholarship recommendations.

Essential Functions

• Student Recruitment Strategy & Execution: Develop strategy to recruit students for full-time MBA programs, aligning with team to translate into executable plan. Attend in-person and virtual recruiting events, pitching Cox programs. Steward prospects through application, interview, and assessment phases, making admissions and scholarship recommendations as part of the Admissions Committee.
• Strategic Project Management: Plan and execute recruiting-related projects (e.g., on-boarding new recruiting partners / vendors) that may impact the entire Graduate Admissions organization. Operate with limited oversight and coordinate with diverse internal and external stakeholders to address complex challenges in an ever-changing market. Assess and provide recommendations on budget impacts.
• Oversee MBA Student Ambassadors: Manage team of student ambassadors to enhance recruiting yield, including selection / on-boarding / training, task assignment (matching with prospects), and performance feedback.
• Marketing & Events Strategy and Execution: Help develop and execute event strategy for full-time MBA programs. Collaborate with SMU Marketing team to promote events and drive leads.
• Operational Excellence: Implement processes in Slate and other tools to streamline recruiting, application review, admissions, and yielding processes. Additional support to broader Cox Graduate Admissions Team through other duties as assigned. Occasional evening and/or weekend event support is required. Occasional regional, national, and international travel is required.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree is required. An MBA or Master's in Higher Education Administration is preferred.
• A minimum of five years of work experience is required.
• Experience In University Admissions, Advising, And/or Marketing/sales Strongly Preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and to effectively interact with students, alumni, staff, faculty, and prospective students. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. A strong customer service orientation is essential.
• Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
• Experience with sales, student advising, or admissions is preferred. Knowledge of 1-20 international student visa process is preferred.
• Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of MS Office. Experience with and/or knowledge of CRM systems (e.g. Slate or PeopleSoft) is strongly preferred.
• Candidate must have the ability to generate new admissions strategies and ideas and execute them in order to increase enrollment.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Carry/lift 25 lbs.
• Stand

Key skills/competency

• Student Recruitment
• Admissions Strategy
• Project Management
• Event Planning
• CRM Systems
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Skills
• Sales Experience
• Advising
• International Admissions