Vice President of Enrollment Management

FLSA EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY: Salaried; Exempt; Administrative; 12 months

DEPARTMENT: Admissions

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the President and serving on the cabinet, the Vice President for Enrollment Management (VPEM) will elevate the Alma College education through the continued implementation and refinement of a newly configured enrollment-management function. The VPEM provides direct leadership for and supervision of the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid Systems and Counseling, Transfer, International, and Graduate Admissions, and a CRM/information services function that uses Slate. The expectation is that the role will continue to build a sustained relational recruitment strategy within Michigan high schools and community colleges and mature a data-informed out-of-state and international student recruitment strategy. Together with the Alma College community, the role will work with other offices and community stakeholders to advance the College’s deep commitment to belonging, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The VPEM will collaborate with other senior leaders to make Alma College an exemplar of “student-ready, student-first” pedagogies and practices. The VPEM is a pivotal institutional change agent and strategist for advancing the College’s priorities and adapting to a rapidly evolving marketplace and the ever-changing needs and interests students.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic vision and tactical oversight to develop and implement a strategic enrollment management plan that achieves the college mission, vision, goals, and objectives; lead enrollment with optimism and energy to increase new student recruitment and enrollment while maintaining a view of each incoming student as a future alumnus.
• Make data-informed enrollment projections and strategic recruitment, admissions, and financial aid decisions; analyze data to shape strategic directions; identify historical college enrollment patterns; forecast trends in new-student markets; regularly assess the effectiveness of recruitment activities and scholarship programs; and adjust continuously refining goals and strategies to define a proactive response to market forces and the College’s needs.
• Leverage financial aid and scholarship funds to meet recruitment and retention goals, ensuring packaging of financial assistance policies support the mission.
• Provide oversight to ensure funds are awarded timely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulations. Implement a comprehensive approach to educating students on sound financial practices.
• Develop, supervise, and lead a high-performing team that continuously improves its methods and processes – including customer service – and is optimistic, responsive, innovative, analytical, energetic, results-oriented, student-centered, and excited about change and service.
• Ensure financial aid counseling and support strategy for students and families continues to mature at the nexus of the recruitment and financial aid awarding process.
• In close collaboration with the Vice President of Communications and Marketing, the VPEM identifies market segments and informs nuanced marketing strategies with a focus on brand building, innovation, and best practice; guides the development of recruitment and marketing materials; monitors the performance of strategic recruitment and integrated marketing plans and responds, as necessary.
• In coordination with the COO, Information Technology, and Institutional Research, provides leadership and direction in the development and expansion of technology, data analytics, and data visualization to support data-driven decision-making; manages third-party partnerships; oversees the creation and generation of reports to document and guide the recruitment plan and to inform the campus community and Board of Trustees regarding enrollment-related data.
• Participates in initiatives to enhance diversity among the student body, providing an equitable and welcoming environment.
• Liaise with internal and external constituencies including the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, high school counselors, transfer counselors at community colleges, graduate students, and prospective students and families; represent the College in a speaking capacity at on- and off-campus student, parent/family, and counselor programs.
• In partnership with graduate academic programs and the Provost, develop short- and long-term recruitment strategies and initiatives informed by ideas and feedback from graduate program directors, input from institutional partners, and market data.
• Understand technological innovations, assess emerging technologies, and leverage technology investments to refine operational procedures and policies.
• Understand and evaluate best practices at the forefront of recruitment in a modern and changing world.
• Formulate and manage the office’s annual budget to achieve strategic goals and short- and long-term financial obligations.
• Participate in professional admissions associations both regionally and nationally.
• Remain current with issues pertaining to the field through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree is required
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in enrollment management or related fields (e.g., recruitment, admissions, financial aid, etc.)
• Proven record of accomplishment of success in achieving enrollment goals
• Proven ability to work with diverse constituencies with the ability to serve as an ambassador for the College; ability to engage effectively with prospective students and families, current students and families, high school counselors, faculty, staff, alumni, and external audiences on behalf of the College.
• Strong verbal communication skills to lead presentations and group discussions, assist with public relations, and foster interpersonal relationships
• Ability to collaborate closely with students, faculty, staff, and senior administrators in Institutional Advancement, Marketing, Academic & Student Affairs, and Finance-related areas, along with other senior leaders across campus;
• Excellent management, human relations, budget management, and problem-solving skills, as well as a sophisticated understanding of current trends in enrollment in higher education
• Demonstrated ability to lead and empower staff
• Demonstrated collaboration skills to involve faculty, staff, and current students in recruitment
• Must be analytical, data-informed, and results-oriented
• A willingness to travel.

OTHER KEY CHARACTERISTICS/ATTRIBUTES

• Ability to serve as a strong advocate, promoting the strengths and qualities of Alma College
• Strong project and resource management abilities
• Strength in statistical research and analytical capacity, strong data acumen and the ability to use data to understand issues and develop effective strategies
• An open, collaborative, and non-competitive leadership style that promotes partnerships and builds trust and strong relationships across the organization
• The ability to communicate effectively to engage students, parents, and alumni of Alma College and to explain complex concepts, ideas, and issues to a broad range of campus constituents.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates must submit an Alma College application and a cover letter, current resume, and the names of three professional references, via email to careers@alma.edu. Review of applications will begin May 1, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.

Alma College is a private, independent four-year liberal arts college located in the city of Alma in the geographic center of Michigan’s lower peninsula. The college is situated on 125 acres and owns a 200-acre ecological research station. Alma College is building momentum, adding and enhancing its undergraduate and graduate programs, constantly enhancing the student experience, developing experiential pathways and programs of distinction, and continuing its success with Division III athletics. Enrollment is approximately 1,300 undergraduate students, typically drawn from approximately 30 states and eight countries. The college currently awards six degrees—Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, and Master of Science in Communication Information Technology.

Alma College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body.

Alma College recognizes that we are all transformed when we celebrate and value the varied identities backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in our campus community. We are committed to recognizing and removing barriers to success and providing equitable access to opportunities through education and advocacy. In our increasingly diverse campus and world, we pledge to create a climate where everyone is safe and free to grow intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. For more information about the College, visit www.alma.edu.