LIM College - The Business of Fashion & Lifestyle is currently seeking candidates for the position of Senior Director of Graduate and International Admissions
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Founded in 1939 and located in midtown Manhattan, LIM College is focused on the global business of fashion and lifestyle. Offering master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degree programs, LIM prepares students forcareer success via an immersive approach grounded in real-world experience and learning by doing required internships. LIM College’s commitment to excellence in business education ensures graduates are sought after by a wide range of employers, as evidenced by a Career Outcomes Rate of 96% for the Class of 2022. Alumni excel throughout all areas of fashion and lifestyle and have gone on to work for companies such as Chanel, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Ross Stores, The Financial Times, Ulta Beauty, Google, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cannabis Creative, and The National Football League.
POSITION PURPOSE: The Senior Director of Graduate and International Admissions provides strategic leadership for the recruitment, admission, and enrollment of graduate and international students for the College’s on-campus programs, and supports the recruitment of students for the College’s online graduate programs. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success, the position directs the work of the Graduate and International Admissions staff, develops and executes recruitment strategies to achieve enrollment goals, and provides the coaching, support, and feedback staff need to succeed. The position may serve as or supervise the College’s Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and holds primary institutional responsibility for compliance with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations governing F-1 international students. The position supervises the College’s Designated School Official(s) (DSO), maintains the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and the College’s Form I-17 certification, and serves as the institution’s principal liaison to SEVP, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and related federal agencies. The position works closely with the Vice President of Admissions and Enrollment Operations and the Senior Director of Admissions Recruitment, and partners with Academic Affairs, graduate program directors, the Registrar, Marketing and Communications, Student Financial Services, Student Affairs, and Career Services. The position represents the division on matters related to graduate and international enrollment as delegated and provides regular reports and updates to senior leadership.
SALARY RANGE: $110,000 - $120,000/Annually
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES
Graduate and International Admissions Leadership - Direct the day-to-day operations of Graduate and International Admissions, including prospect and applicant management, application review and admission decisions, and yield activities, in alignment with College admission standards and enrollment goals.
- Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff; set clear performance expectations and key performance indicators; conduct regular individual meetings; and coach and mentor staff to strengthen individual and team performance.
- Apply a data-informed approach to decision-making; monitor funnel performance; and prepare weekly, monthly, and annual reports and analyses on graduate and international enrollment for senior leadership.
- Analyze market and enrollment trends to identify opportunities for growth and efficiency, and contribute graduate and international data to annual admissions and assessment reporting.
Graduate Recruitment - Develop and execute an annual graduate recruitment plan, in partnership with the Senior Vice President and the Senior Director of Admissions Recruitment, with defined goals, markets, budget, and tactics for on-campus graduate programs.
- Partner with graduate program directors and faculty on admission standards, applicant review, and yield engagement.
- Build and manage graduate pipelines through LIM undergraduate and alumni channels, corporate and industry partnerships, and graduate information sessions and events.
- Coordinate with Student Financial Services on graduate scholarships, assistantships, and financial aid communication to support yield.
- Support recruitment for online graduate programs in coordination with the Director of Online Admissions, including program-specific messaging, applicant review as assigned, and referral of prospective students best served by online programs.
International Recruitment - Develop and execute an international recruitment strategy, including market prioritization, international travel, and virtual engagement.
- Manage education agent relationships, including selection, agreements, training, and performance monitoring, consistent with College policy and recognized industry standards.
- Support the development of articulation and pathway partnerships with international institutions and partners.
- Establish and maintain standards for international credential evaluation and English-language proficiency in collaboration with Academic Affairs.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Communications on international-facing communications and materials.
International Student Compliance (PDSO) - Serve as the College’s Principal Designated School Official, with institutional authority and responsibility under 8 CFR 214.3 for SEVP certification and F-1 regulatory compliance.
- Maintain the College’s Form I-17, including timely updates for material changes and successful completion of SEVP recertification on the required cycle.
- Nominate, add, and remove DSOs in SEVIS; supervise the DSO(s); and ensure completion of SEVP-required training and continuing regulatory education.
- Oversee the issuance of Forms I-20 and ensure accurate and timely SEVIS reporting of all required student events within federally mandated timeframes.
- Adjudicate and advise on F-1 benefits and requests, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extensions, reduced course load, program extensions, transfers, reinstatement, and travel endorsements.
- Develop and maintain institutional policies and procedures for F-1 admission, enrollment, and record-keeping; conduct periodic internal audits of SEVIS data and student files; and lead the College’s response to SEVP site visits, audits, and inquiries.
- Ensure the integrity of international student data across SEVIS, the CRM, and the student information system, and the retention of records in accordance with federal requirements.
- Monitor federal rulemaking and SEVP guidance; assess institutional impact; brief senior leadership and campus partners; and serve as the College’s subject-matter expert on F-1 regulations for faculty and staff.
- Coordinate international student immigration check-in, orientation, and ongoing immigration advising.
Collaboration and Divisional Responsibilities - Serve as liaison to Academic Affairs, the Registrar, Student Financial Services, Academic Advising, Student Affairs, Career Services, and Marketing and Communications to ensure that graduate and international processes are communicated and executed according to College policy.
- Foster a culture in which faculty and staff understand and value their role in the recruitment and retention of graduate and international students.
- Work with enrollment consultants and vendor partners as assigned, serving as project manager where appropriate.
- Represent the division on matters related to graduate and international enrollment as delegated by the Senior Vice President; serve on committees and task forces as requested; and perform other duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS - Graduate and international applicant and enrollment goals are met or exceeded, and online graduate recruitment targets are supported.
- SEVP certification and the Form I-17 are maintained in good standing, and recertification is completed on schedule without adverse findings.
- SEVIS records are accurate and complete, and all required reporting is submitted within mandated timeframes.
- DSO(s) are properly designated, trained, and supervised, and institutional policies and procedures for F-1 compliance are current and documented.
- Recruitment plans, travel, and events are informed by data; staff expectations are clearly articulated; and staff are engaged and performing to potential.
- Reports are accurate and delivered on time, and senior leadership is appropriately informed of progress toward goals.
- Effective communication and coordination are maintained with campus partners, and applicants are informed of all processes, procedures, and deadlines.
REQUIREMENTS: The person selected will have the following qualifications:
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: - Seven or more years of progressive admissions or enrollment management experience, including at least three years in a supervisory capacity. U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, as required by federal regulation (8 CFR 214.3(l)) to serve as a PDSO/DSO, and the ability to obtain and maintain PDSO designation. Progressive experience in admissions or enrollment management with demonstrated success in achieving recruitment goals. Working knowledge of graduate and international admissions practices. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems (Slate preferred).
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: - Prior DSO or PDSO experience with working knowledge of SEVIS, F-1 regulations, and SEVP policy guidance. Graduate and international recruitment experience, including education agent management and international travel. Experience with J-1 regulations (RO/ARO), NAFSA training, or SEVIS-integration platforms. Proficiency in a second language.
SKILLS: - Strategic, analytical, and data-driven; strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills; cross-cultural competence; sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential and federally regulated information; project management and organizational skills; ability to travel domestically and internationally and to work occasional evenings and weekends.
WORK PERKS:
- College Closed for Summer Fridays
- Tuition Remission or Tuition Exchange
- 6 Weeks of Paid Holidays
- Birthday Day to Celebrate your Birthday
- 2-4 weeks of vacation based on longevity; 7 sick days annually
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance, 401K etc.
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