ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, GRADUATE ADMISSION

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director for Graduate Admission is a strategic student-centered member of the Ithaca College Office of Admission, providing leadership for graduate recruitment, admission, and enrollment strategy. This role manages key components of the graduate admission lifecycle and works closely with academic departments, faculty, and enrollment leadership to deliver a responsive, engaging, and inclusive experience for prospective students.

The Associate Director is accountable for advancing graduate enrollment priorities and outcomes through targeted outreach, application review, relationship building, data-informed decision making, and collaborative campus partnerships. This position offers the opportunity to help shape the future of Ithaca College graduate enrollment while building expertise in graduate admission and enrollment management.

SUPERVISION

This position reports to the Executive Director of Admission within Admission with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Studies. The Associate Director provides direct supervision to professional staff supporting graduate admission, ensuring alignment with enrollment priorities and service standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following.

Recruitment and Outreach

• Direct recruitment, admission, and enrollment activities for assigned graduate programs, populations, or regions.
• Develop and implement student-centered outreach and engagement strategies to build awareness and interest in Ithaca College graduate programs.
• Plan and execute recruitment initiatives such as open houses, webinars, information sessions, receptions, and campus visits in collaboration with faculty and campus partners.
• Represent Ithaca College at recruitment events, fairs, and partner programs, both on and off campus.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to prospective students, faculty, campus partners, and external audiences both in-person and virtual formats.

Admission Operations and Application Review

• Direct and manage the graduate application review process using Slate and centralized application services.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective students throughout the admission process, providing timely, accurate, and individualized guidance.
• Collaborate with program faculty and academic leadership to support timely and consistent admission decisions and maintain consistency, equity, and policy adherence across programs.
• Maintain working knowledge of graduate admission policies, procedures, and best practices.

Collaboration and Campus Partnerships

• Serve as primary graduate admission liaison to faculty, academic departments, and campus offices to support graduate enrollment goals.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications to develop and implement targeted recruitment messaging, communication plans and follow-up strategies.
• Maintain effective relationships with external partners and vendors to ensure a seamless experience for prospective students.
• Lead in cross-functional projects and initiatives that support the continued growth and effectiveness of graduate admission efforts.

Strategic Visioning and Planning Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis and application of data, reporting, and assessment tools to evaluate and optimize recruitment and enrollment strategies and provide strategic guidance to faculty and administrators on enrollment trends and implications.
• Maintain documentation, prepare reports, provide analysis, and translate institutional priorities into graduate admission initiatives.
• Use technology and institutional systems to improve efficiency, support recruitment and decision making.

Community and Inclusion

• Demonstrate and model a commitment to multicultural awareness, inclusion, and respectful engagement.
• Contribute to creating an environment that is flexible, collaborative, inclusive, and supportive of a diverse campus community.
• Interact with students, families, staff, faculty, and visitors in a professional, civil, and inclusive manner.

Professional Standards

• Execute responsibilities in alignment with the service philosophy and student-centered orientation of the Office of Admission.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree and five years of admission or related experience, or a combination of education and experience.

Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse population and provide a high level of customer service.

Proficiency with standard office software (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite) and the ability to learn additional software systems.

Ability to use data to inform decisions, assess outcomes, and identify opportunities for improvement.

Knowledge of higher education, graduate enrollment and prospective student markets.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours during peak admission cycles.

Ability to travel and possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid New York State driver's license and the approval to operate a college vehicle are required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working with graduate, adult, or professional student populations.

Experience collaborating with faculty or academic leadership in an admission or enrollment setting.

Experience planning and implementing recruitment events, presentations, or outreach initiatives.

Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) systems, preferably Technolutions Slate.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Evening and weekend work may be required to support admission programs and events.

Work is primarily conducted in a safe, accessible indoor office environment, with regular use of computers and standard office equipment. The role requires mobility across campus and the ability to travel to recruitment events and partner locations, which may include walking, driving, lifting and transporting recruitment materials, or arranging alternative transportation. The position requires travel to assigned regions and attendance at events that may occur during and outside of normal business hours.

This position is 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Hiring Range: $68,500 - $70,650, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including:

• Healthcare including vision and dental
• Generous Paid Time Off Policies
• 403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution
• EAP
• Flexible Work Plans
• Educational Benefits
• Career-Enhancing Trainings
• For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness

In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices, conduct criminal background investigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon review of the criminal background check.

At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of approximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age.

We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements.

We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.

When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive, results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development, and show that they will engage in the college.

Nestled in the heart of New York State's scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger's as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact our ADA Coordinator, Linda Koenig, at lkoenig@ithaca.edu or 607-274-7761. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.

To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at http://ithaca.edu