| Job Description: |
The University of Florida is seeking an Executive Director of Admissions to lead the Offices of Admissions and UF Online Enrollment Services within the Division of Enrollment Management. In this role, you will serve as a senior member of the division’s leadership team, working in close partnership with the Associate Vice President and other campus leaders to shape and execute a strategic vision for undergraduate recruitment and admissions. You will guide a large Admissions team in delivering innovative, data-informed enrollment strategies that expand UF’s reach and impact across Florida, the nation, and the globe.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Strategic Leadership & Oversight
- Serve as a senior leader within the Division of Enrollment Management, contributing to strategic planning and institutional decision-making in collaboration with the Associate Vice President and other campus executives.
- Provide direction and oversight for the Offices of Admissions and UF Online Enrollment Services, ensuring alignment with university-wide enrollment goals and strategic priorities.
- Supervise a team of over 90 full-time staff and 150 student employees, including leaders in operations, recruitment, online enrollment, and athletics admissions.
- Manage an operating budget overseeing fiscal planning, resource allocation, and long-term financial sustainability for admissions functions.
- Collaborate with Enrollment Management Human Resources in hiring, onboarding, and professional development initiatives to cultivate a high-performing and mission-driven team culture.
- Ensure compliance with university, state, and federal regulations governing undergraduate admissions, transfer credit policies, and academic eligibility standards.
- Represent the university at high-impact internal and external events, including strategic meetings, media engagements, and professional conferences.
- Actively participate in national and regional professional associations such as NACAC, AACRAO, FACRAO, and College Board, contributing thought leadership and staying abreast of emerging trends in higher education.
Recruitment Strategy & Engagement
- Develop and implement a comprehensive, data-informed recruitment strategy that supports institutional goals for academic excellence.
- Oversee outreach initiatives including high school visits, college fairs, strategic partnerships, and digital engagement campaigns designed to attract prospective freshmen, transfer, and international students.
- Lead the UF Welcome Center and campus visit programs, ensuring high-impact experiences that reflect the university’s brand, values, and commitment to student success.
- Plan and execute yield events and admitted student programming to strengthen engagement and drive enrollment conversion.
- Collaborate with the Director of Enrollment Marketing and Communication to ensure cohesive messaging and outreach across all recruitment channels.
- Provide regular reports and strategic insights to university leadership, academic colleges, and other stakeholders to inform enrollment planning and decision-making.
Admissions Review & Selection
- Oversee the holistic and contextual evaluation of undergraduate applications, ensuring consistency, fairness, and alignment with institutional enrollment-shaping goals.
- Lead the development and refinement of admissions decision strategies to accommodate growing applicant pools and evolving best practices.
- Continuously improve file review processes and decision workflows to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness.
- Provide strategic oversight for the academic certification of student-athletes in accordance with NCAA and SEC regulations, ensuring timely and compliant eligibility determinations.
Technology, Data, & Process Optimization
- Direct the implementation and optimization of admissions technologies, including CRM platforms, application processing systems, and data analytics tools.
- Promote a culture of data-informed decision-making across admissions units, using performance metrics and predictive modeling to guide strategic adjustments.
- Ensure data integrity and operational excellence in all aspects of application processing, decision release, and applicant communications.
- Leverage industry best practices and emerging innovations to modernize admissions workflows and enhance the applicant experience.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate systems, streamline operations, and support seamless transitions between recruitment, review, and enrollment functions.
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| Preferred: |
- Leadership Experience: At least 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in admissions, enrollment management, or student services, including supervisory roles.
- Strategic Planning Skills: Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic enrollment plans that align with institutional goals and improve student recruitment outcomes.
- Data-Informed Decision Making: Strong analytical skills with experience using data to drive decisions, forecast enrollment trends, and assess recruitment effectiveness.
- Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with admissions-related technologies, including CRM systems (e.g., Slate), student information systems (e.g. PeopleSoft), and data visualization tools.
- Communication & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across departments and with external stakeholders.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of federal, state, and institutional policies related to admissions, financial aid, and student privacy (e.g., FERPA).
- Change Management: Experience leading organizational change, improving processes, and fostering innovation in a dynamic higher education environment.
- Professional Involvement: Active participation in professional organizations such as NACAC, AACRAO, or similar, demonstrating ongoing engagement with industry best practices.
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