Director of Undergraduate Admission

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Job Title: Director of Undergraduate Admission

Department: Undergraduate Admission

Division: Enrollment Management

FLSA Status: Exempt

Grade: 9

Salary Range: $76,100 - $98,900

Union: N/A

Reports to: Vice President, Enrollment Management

General purpose: Reporting to the Vice President, Enrollment Management, the Director of Undergraduate Admission will be responsible for leading and managing MICA’s undergraduate recruitment, application/ portfolio review process, and strategic enrollment strategy, which includes supervising MICA’s undergraduate admissions staff, developing annual data-informed recruitment plans, oversight of all on- and off-campus student recruitment events, and continual analysis of MICA’s undergraduate enrollment funnels. 

The Director should be familiar with current market and demographic trends impacting undergraduate enrollment, including transfer admissions, and must have experience using data analytics and CRM systems to track KPI performance and project new student enrollment. The ability to work collegially and collaboratively with campus partners such as Financial Aid, Enrollment Services, Marketing, and Student Engagement is a vital component of this position, as well as providing the leadership necessary to meet institutional undergraduate enrollment objectives.

The Director will represent MICA internally and externally with key constituent audiences and will assist in recruitment efforts throughout the year as needed. Additionally, the Director will collaborate with the VPEM and Director of Financial Aid to develop and execute MICA’s financial aid and merit-based scholarship strategies.

Along with a thorough understanding of undergraduate admissions operations and best practices, the Director will identify, develop, and oversee the use of Slate CRM customizations and strategies to ensure full utilization and streamlining in the student recruitment process.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement data-informed undergraduate recruitment and enrollment strategies aligned with institutional goals. Monitor market conditions, demographic trends, and enrollment performance to identify opportunities and improve recruitment, yield, and matriculation outcomes.
• Develop annual, data-informed recruitment plans that address student demographics, market trends, geographic markets, recruitment channels, and institutional enrollment objectives.
• Oversee undergraduate admissions operations, including application processing, portfolio review, admission decisions, and transfer admissions. Establish efficient, consistent, and equitable processes that support institutional admission standards and provide a positive applicant experience.
• Oversee the development and implementation of application and portfolio review processes that reflect MICA’s academic programs, educational philosophy, and admission standards.
• Supervise, develop, and evaluate undergraduate admissions staff; establish performance expectations; and manage departmental resources, workloads, and professional development to achieve enrollment objectives.
• Direct the planning, execution, and assessment of on- and off-campus recruitment activities, including open houses, college fairs, portfolio days, and school visits. Represent MICA to prospective students, families, counselors, and external partners.
• Develop strategies to expand recruitment outreach, strengthen institutional visibility, and build relationships with schools, community partners, and other organizations that support college access and student recruitment.
• Monitor enrollment funnel metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs), analyze recruitment effectiveness, and develop enrollment projections and reports to inform strategic decisions and resource allocation.
• Oversee the strategic use and continuous improvement of Slate CRM, including system customizations, workflows, automated communications, and reporting tools to streamline admissions operations and enhance recruitment effectiveness.
• Partner with Communications and Marketing to develop communication strategies and messaging, including writing and updating web content, communication campaigns, and routine letters.
• Partner with Information Technology, Enrollment Services, Marketing, and other campus stakeholders to streamline admissions processes and improve data integration and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Director of Financial Aid to develop and evaluate financial aid and merit-based scholarship strategies that support enrollment goals and institutional financial objectives.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the undergraduate admissions budget, ensuring responsible allocation of resources to support recruitment activities, travel, events, staffing, and enrollment initiatives. Monitor expenditures, assess resource utilization, and recommend adjustments to align spending with institutional priorities and enrollment objectives.
• Partner with Financial Aid, Enrollment Services, Marketing, Student Engagement, and academic departments to coordinate recruitment and enrollment initiatives. Ensure admissions practices comply with institutional policies and applicable laws and regulations, including requirements for confidentiality and responsible data management.
• Maintain strong relationships with external partners, such as Baltimore community-based organizations, NPDA, AICAD, and professional admissions organizations
• Represent undergraduate admissions in institutional committees, planning meetings, and strategic initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of undergraduate admissions operations, strategic enrollment management, recruitment practices, portfolio review, and transfer admissions.
• Knowledge of higher education enrollment trends, student demographics, recruitment strategies, and factors influencing enrollment decisions.
• Knowledge of enrollment analytics, forecasting, performance metrics, and data-informed decision-making.
• Proficiency in CRM systems, particularly Slate, and the use of technology to manage recruitment workflows, communications, and reporting.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, coaching, and staff development skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic recruitment plans and translate enrollment data into actionable recommendations.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and engage effectively with diverse internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and adapt to changing enrollment needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience: 8 years of experience in admissions/enrollment management, with 5 years at management level supervising staff.

• Demonstrated experience using enrollment data, analytics, and CRM systems to develop recruitment strategies, monitor performance, and project enrollment outcomes.
• Experience managing admissions operations, recruitment events, and application review processes.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, enrollment management, student affairs, or a related field.
• Experience with Slate CRM, including workflow development, system customization, automated communications, and reporting.
• Experience developing and implementing financial aid and merit-based scholarship strategies in collaboration with Financial Aid.
• Experience with transfer student recruitment and enrollment strategies.
• Experience in an art and design college or a similarly specialized higher education environment.
• Experience using enrollment analytics and forecasting tools to inform strategic planning and institutional decision-making.

Reporting to this position: TBD

Conditions of Employment: 

• Satisfactory background check
• Ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends to support recruitment activities, as required.

Physical demands and work environment:

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. (may be adjusted depending on position)
• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• Required training:  Exhibitions Department Installation Guide and Policy handbook, MICA Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment. (additional training may be added, SEE: EHS Manager training schedule)

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.