Director of Admissions

Sweet Briar College is a nationally recognized liberal arts college for women with a legacy of developing bold, confident leaders. Consistently ranked among the most innovative institutions by U.S. News & World Report, Sweet Briar is experiencing strong momentum, attracting students to its distinctive combination of rigorous liberal arts and signature programs in women's leadership, engineering, sustainability, the arts, and its renowned equestrian program. The College is financially sound, with a balanced budget and strong bond ratings.

Located in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Sweet Briar's 2,800-acre campus offers an extraordinary living and learning environment, including nature sanctuaries, lakes, trails, vineyards, and sustainable agriculture initiatives.

Sweet Briar's academic experience is anchored by a forward-looking core curriculum focused on women's leadership in the 21st century. With an ABET-accredited engineering program, one of only two at a women's college in the U.S., and a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, students benefit from personalized mentorship, hands-on research, and experiential learning.

Graduates leave Sweet Briar as persuasive communicators, critical thinkers, and collaborative leaders prepared to succeed and lead in a complex, evolving world.

Director of Admissions

Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Vice President of Enrollment Management

Position Summary

The Director of Admissions provides strategic and operational leadership for undergraduate recruitment at Sweet Briar College. This role is accountable for achieving enrollment, academic profile, and net tuition revenue goals while advancing the College's mission to educate women leaders. The Director drives a data-informed, market-responsive strategy that elevates Sweet Briar's distinctive brand.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Enrollment Leadership

• Lead development and execution of a comprehensive, growth-oriented recruitment strategy
• Own full enrollment funnel performance (prospect enrollment) with clear KPI accountability
• Partner with Financial Aid to optimize pricing strategy and net tuition revenue
• Identify and scale growth markets (first-year, transfer, adult, and emerging pathways)

Data, Technology & Analytics

• Leverage CRM (Slate), predictive modeling, and AI-enabled tools
• Develop dashboards to monitor conversion, yield, melt, and territory performance
• Lead enrollment forecasting and data-driven decision-making

Recruitment & Partnerships

• Direct territory management strategy across in-person and digital channels
• Expand pipelines with high schools, community colleges, and mission-aligned partners
• Advance access and inclusive recruitment initiatives

Marketing & Brand Alignment

• Partner with Marketing to deliver compelling, differentiated messaging
• Oversee multichannel communications and student engagement strategy
• Elevate signature programs in all recruitment efforts

Leadership & Culture

• Lead, develop, and evaluate admissions staff with clear performance expectations
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and student-centered service
• Implement ongoing training and professional development

Campus Collaboration

• Partner across campus to enhance visit experience and yield strategy
• Engage faculty, alumnae, and student ambassadors in recruitment efforts
• Serve on institutional committees

Qualifications

• Bachelor's required; Master's preferred
• 5-7+ years progressive admissions leadership experience
• Demonstrated success in meeting enrollment and revenue goals
• Experience with CRM systems (Slate preferred) and analytics
• Strong leadership, communication, and change management skills

Preferred

• Experience at a small liberal arts college
• Background in women's education or mission-driven institutions
• Experience with Athletics and International student recruitment

Core Competencies

Strategic leadership • Data fluency • Enrollment marketing • Financial acumen • Team development • Equity-minded recruitment

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This position operates primarily in an office setting with outdoor responsibilities for events. The role requires extended periods of sitting and computer use, with the ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

Travel

Periodic travel is required to support recruitment, professional development, and institutional priorities.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the primary responsibilities of the role, but is not exhaustive. Duties may evolve based on institutional needs.

Application Process

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Sweet Briar College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences.