Assistant/Associate Director for On-Campus Experience

Shenandoah University’s Office of Admissions is accepting applications for an Assistant/Associate Director for On-Campus Experience. This is a full-time benefited position located on our main campus in Winchester, Virginia.

The successful candidate will lead a dynamic admissions team dedicated to crafting exceptional campus experiences that showcase the university's unique spirit and offerings. 

This vital role requires a skilled individual with a strong background in higher education, events, customer service, supervision, and superb interpersonal and organizational skills. The Assistant/Associate Director is expected to have detailed knowledge and specific skills needed to excel in their duties, uphold the high standards of Shenandoah University, and align with current events efforts to keep our highly responsive team in sync with our demands.

Through structured support, the university commits to empowering the incoming Assistant/Associate Director to step into their role with confidence and competence, ready to make a significant impact on our community and prospective students. 

We look forward to welcoming a motivated and visionary leader to our team who is ready to contribute to and enhance the vibrant educational environment at Shenandoah University.

General Description and Responsibilities

Employing exceptional interpersonal skills, management, and leadership, the Shenandoah University Assistant/Associate Director for OCE is responsible for overseeing and managing the OCE team in coordination with the AVP for Admissions and Recruitment. This position has direct management of all non-conservatory recruitment events. In addition, the Assistant/Associate Director has oversight of an exceptional prospective student visit process, from registration through execution and follow-up. This staff member will utilize their knowledge of Slate CRM to ensure the collaborative technical work of the OCE team is executed at a high level.

The OCE team recruits prospective students of all types (First-Year, Transfer, and Graduate) to the University using exceptional campus-based (virtual and in-person) experiences. These include, but are not limited to, daily admissions visits (including Saturdays), open houses, auditions, specialized academic programs (including graduate events), virtual events, and any other opportunities where prospective students have the opportunity to interact with the Shenandoah University community. The Assistant/Associate Director oversees the work of the OCE team, including two full-time staff members, grad assistant(s), student employees, and volunteers, to ensure that all of these opportunities are executed at the highest level possible.

 Management of the On-Campus Experience Team:

• ●    Motivate and inspire members of the OCE team, On-Campus Experience Manager, and Welcome Center Coordinator to ensure that all admissions events are effective in exciting prospective students, their families, and influencers about Shenandoah and assisting them in determining if Shenandoah is the right choice for them
• ●    Providing supportive, thorough, and effective supervision, training, and evaluation of the team members, including full-time staff and student employees
• ●    The Assistant/Associate Director works with the OCE team to create a comprehensive vision for Shenandoah admissions experiences. This role is the vision holder and ensures that the feel and expression of visits is a point of differentiation for Shenandoah visitors
• ●    Working with the AVP for Admissions and Recruitment to implement and continually improve upon a robust series of exceptional experiences in which prospective students can participate.
• ●    Host small and large groups for customized campus visits of all types, leveraging campus locations and campus partners, staff, faculty, and students
• ●    Along with the Welcome Center Coordinator, ensure that a high level of professional service and hospitality is provided in all correspondence to prospective students and families, in person, via telephone, text, and Slate. 

Event coordination responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• ●    Working with the OCE Manager to ensure the timely and quality creation of events in Admissions Slate CRM, including setting up registration and messaging. 
• ●    Collaborating with the Admissions Operations team to create and plan email and web marketing for all recruitment events.
• ●    Keeping events calendar up to date.
• ●    Effectively communicating event details and responsibilities with Admissions First-Year Recruitment and College Outreach teams
• ●    Providing timely, relevant communication to campus partners, faculty, and staff on event details and responsibilities
• ●    Consistently monitor event registration to meet registrant goals and anticipate needs for facilities, catering, tours, accessibility, etc.
• ●    Working across campus to find dynamic and representative student panelists and shadow leaders to showcase SU at events.
• ●    Being present and engaged during event days. Having a hospitable attitude toward prospective families, staff, student employees, faculty, and campus partners alike.
• ●    Being vigilant and taking initiative during events to resolve issues promptly.
• ●    Utilizing quick problem-solving skills in challenging situations while maintaining a positive attitude.
• ●    Being willing to aid in any and all event-related tasks that may arise. 

Additional Duties as Member of the Admissions Senior Management Team 

• ●    Serve as the knowledge specialist to prospective students, their families, SU faculty and staff as needed, in responding to requests for information by phone, email, hard copy mail, text, chat, or walk-in. 
• ●    Serve as Counselor-on-Duty in a reserve role as needed, consistent with the function of in-house service specialist.  This includes providing daily campus visit presentations as needed.
• ●    Stay up to date with relevant trends and emerging knowledge respective to the college admission and search process, specifically the visit experience and prospective student expectations.
• ●    Function as a fully participating member of the Admissions, R+M Division, and Shenandoah University community, serving on projects, committees, and special events as assigned by the supervisor.

 Systems and Management Structure

• ●    Serve as the lead for developing standard operating procedures that successfully accomplish the goals OCE
• ●    Ability to structure, manage, and assess the effectiveness of projects and cultural tone across a wide range of software platforms including Slate, Google Suite, Microsoft Office and various online and cloud-based tools. Includes communication correspondence across all admissions systems, email, phone, text, and voicemail
• ●    Standardize the development of documentation for all team member processes, student employees, and Hornet Ambassadors

 In Supervision of the Welcome Center Coordinator:

• ● Serve as a critical voice in shaping the vision and tone for the welcome experience
• ● Ensuring that student employees and OCE staff are sufficiently trained to manage phone and email communications in a professional, helpful manner
• ● Employing broad knowledge of the University’s academic, athletic, conservatory, and student life programs to communicate and assist admissions constituents
• ● Coordinating with OCE staff to hire, develop, schedule, and supervise a group of student employees who will assist with executing the vision and tone for the welcome experience
• ● Working with OCE staff to effectively manage the logistical coordination of each prospective student’s visit
• ● Along with the rest of the OCE staff, responsible for staffing the Welcome Center throughout the year at pre-scheduled times
• ● Serving as a liaison to the athletics and conservatory departments; including, but not limited to: providing regular status reports, responding to staff/faculty questions about a student’s application status, and assisting with coordinating campus visits for students.
• ● Using data and feedback from campus partners to continually improve the campus visit experience
• ● Coordinating with the OCE team to create daily visits, Saturday visits, virtual visits, and custom 1-on-1 visit experiences for prospective students and their families.
• ●    Working with the On-Campus Experience staff, maintain a high-quality admissions student ambassador program. This includes but is not limited to selecting, developing, training, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating student volunteers who will positively represent the Shenandoah University Office of Admissions in their recruitment activities. 
• ●    Develop and monitor the consistency in delivering certain vital facts, experiences, and information that are standard on each tour.  Track and maintain data on tour guide performance and develop methods to measure and ensure quality. 
• ●    Alongside the On-Campus Experience team, provide Ambassadors’ support for campus visit program and Admissions events, including Open Houses, Daily visits, Weekend visits, and other opportunities to showcase Shenandoah University.
• ●    Develop and maintain strong relationships with campus partners in order to gather and disseminate up-to-date and accurate information for ambassador use on campus tours.

 Qualifications/Requirements:

• ●    A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college, Masters preferred
• ●    Assistant Director: Minimum of two years of higher education experience, preferably in a direct service role
• ●    Associate Director: Minimum of three years of admissions experience, preferably with experience executing recruitment events
• ●    Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, including professionalism, engagement, enthusiasm, initiative, a positive attitude, and a commitment to achieving the university’s new student enrollment goals
• ●    Excellent writing and public speaking skills
• ●    Efficient organizational skills
• ●    Demonstrated ability to work with a team, but also to employ self-direction and accountability in the management of assigned responsibilities
• ●    Valid driver’s license with good driving record and ability to pass a driving background check. adhering to university policies and procedures regarding travel
• ●    Must be able to lift 50 lbs. into and out of a vehicle
• ●    Routine ability and willingness to work evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight travel

How to Apply: 

The complete application will include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a qualified candidate is selected.

Shenandoah University is committed to enriching its educational experience and culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff. All candidates are strongly encouraged to include a statement in their cover letters addressing ways in which they may be able to contribute to that commitment.

**Note: A pre-employment background check will be required, and a satisfactory driving record may be required as a condition of hire. 

Shenandoah University values the unique and diverse perspectives of individuals and communities locally and globally and seeks to foster mutual understanding in an inviting community where individuals are welcome and respected. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical, or mental disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, or on any other basis protected under applicable law.