Dean of Enrollment Management - Fitchburg State University

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Dean of Enrollment Management provides visionary and strategic leadership to the offices of Admissions and Financial Aid. The Dean is responsible for developing and implementing recruitment, admission and marketing strategies that support the university's enrollment and student success goals, while ensuring full compliance with state, federal, and institutional policies. The Dean collaborates closely with the School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education (SGOCE) in strategic enrollment and marketing for graduate, international and evening programs. The dean also works closely with numerous internal and external partners to optimize enrollment outcomes and ensure transparent, equitable financial aid and scholarship awarding practices.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervises various staff.

Requirements:

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and execute comprehensive recruitment, admission and scholarship strategies aligned with institutional enrollment goals.
• Lead data-informed enrollment planning, including recruitment, yield, retention, and affordability initiatives.
• Monitor enrollment trends, demographics, and market conditions to guide policy and program decisions.
• Leverage technologies and external resources to maximize lead generation and yield through effective and innovative marketing and communication strategies.
• In conjunction with the Director of Marketing, produce a comprehensive and effective marketing plan for new student recruitment in alignment with the college's branding.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive, multichannel student recruitment communications plan that involves collaboration with various departments, including Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, SGOCE, Athletics and Career Services.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year recruitment plan.
• Develop and execute effective and innovative on-campus, off-campus and virtual visit and event programming.
• Collaborate with academic units on enrollment targets, program capacity, and admissions criteria.
• Develop enrollment forecasts by geographic territory.
• In conjunction with the Director of Financial Aid, develop financial aid awarding strategies to promote access, affordability, and student success and to facilitate the achievement of new and continuing student enrollment targets.
• In collaboration with Advancement and Finance, develop strategies to maximize endowed scholarships in the recruitment of new students.
• Develop and regularly communicate enrollment goals and key progress indicators to various stakeholders, including the Vice President and University Cabinet.
• Track and measure effectiveness of admissions and financial aid/scholarship strategies.
• Ensure consistent, competitive and responsive admission and financial aid application review and notification timelines.
• Supervise, motivate, and coach a team of enrollment professionals to achieve enrollment targets.
• Develop and maintain a culture of student-centered, exceptional customer service.
• Recruit, supervise, evaluate and retain talented and creative staff.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, ethical practice, professional development, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Implement effective risk management strategies.
• Oversee departmental budgets, staffing plans, and resource allocation to ensure efficient use of all resources.
• Assess operational efficiency and implement process improvements and technology solutions.
• Maintain knowledge of best practices, new developments, and innovative enrollment strategies in higher education.
• Represent the university to external agencies, state organizations, and professional associations.
• Serve on university committees as assigned.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success.
• Work evening and weekend hours and travel as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in higher education administration, public administration, education, or a related field.
• Significant progressive leadership experience in admissions, financial aid, enrollment management, or related areas.
• A record of accomplishment leading teams to meet and exceed new student enrollment goals.
• Proven success in developing and executing effective marketing and communication plans.
• Proven success in developing and executing a multi-year strategic recruitment plan.
• Proven success creating and executing innovative recruitment programming; on-campus, off-campus and virtually.
• In-depth knowledge of technologies and external partners that support effective and innovative recruitment, marketing and communication plans.
• Demonstrated understanding of the challenges and opportunities within higher education, both in general and specific to new student recruitment and enrollment.
• Familiarity with financial aid modeling and strategies.
• Familiarity with federal and state financial aid regulations and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience using data and analytics to guide recruitment and admission strategy.
• Strong familiarity with student information systems and customer relationship management solutions.
• Exceptional knowledge of the use of social media for enrollment purposes.
• Experience recruiting first-generation students.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• A record of superior customer service and networking skills.
• Effective leadership, collaborative team building, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to complete complex projects and make forward progress on strategic initiatives.
• Experience managing a budget and effectively allocating resources.
• Ability to perform above duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD or EdD
• Demonstrated commitment to and belief in public higher education.
• Knowledge of Banner; proven success leveraging Slate CRM.
• Experience developing effective financial aid and scholarship strategies to promote recruitment, enrollment and retention.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefit eligible non-union position. The starting salary range is $140,000 - $150,000 commensurate with education and experience.

Priority review: 5/27/26

Fitchburg State University offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Nine different pre-taxed, health insurance plan options.
• A pension or 401(a) defined contribution plan, and supplemental plan retirement options.
• Life insurance up to 8x the annual salary.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Dental insurance.
• Twenty vacation days accrued per year.
• Fifteen sick days accrued per year.
• Five personal days per year.
• Paid holidays.
• Tuition remission for self, spouse, and dependent children.

Fitchburg State University conducts criminal history and sexual offenders record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and be prepared to enter name/contact information for three professional references.

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