Director Of Recruitment & Admissions

Job Summary

The Director of Recruitment & Admissions provides visionary, innovative, and highly collaborative leadership to create and execute strategic enrollment management plans, oversee organizational development for the admissions unit, and manage multiple initiatives. Responsible for all aspects of MBA (Full Time and Part Time programs) and Master of Management (MM) student recruitment, admissions strategy, and tactical execution in the Graduate School of Management. Oversees an extensive outreach recruiting program to develop a strong pool of applicants, evaluates applicants for admission in a competitive selection process, and manages overall enrollment for the GSM. Serves as a member of the School’s student affairs leadership team.

Department Purpose

The UC Davis Graduate School of Management is consistently ranked among the premier business schools in the United States and internationally. In 2024, it was listed at one of the top business programs to watch by Poets & Quants. The school offers a Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA programs in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, an Online MBA, a Master of Professional Accountancy in Davis, a Master of Science in Business Analytics program in San Francisco, and a newly launched Master of Management programs at the UC Davis campus, as well as an Online Master of Management. The school also offers undergraduate minors in Accounting and Technology Management as well as custom and open enrollment executive education programs, and will launching an undergraduate business major in Fall 2025. 

50% STRATEGY, SUPERVISION & MANAGEMENT

• This key admissions leader works in reports to and works closely with the Senior Assistant Dean and would supervise Associate Directors of Admissions for Part Time, Full Time, and Master of Management programs.
• The selected candidate would lead the admissions team in bringing in the strongest possible MBA and MM cohorts, ensuring a delightful end-to-end, people-centered approach. 
• They lead the development and execution of strategic and tactical plans to strengthen and expand the MBA and MM applicant pools to achieve enrollment and quality targets.
• Design, update, and monitor plans for international, domestic/national, and regional recruitment strategies.
• Develop admissions forecasts using admissions trends and GSM data.
• Benchmark with/against other top business schools, summarize and analyze data, and act on findings.
• Develop and monitor performance metrics for the recruiting and admissions program to assess its impact and effectiveness.
• The selected candidate would provide elevating leadership to a talented and passionate admissions team supporting the Full-Time MBA, Sacramento and Bay Area MBA and Master of Management programs.
• Develop staff, monitor and manage employee performance, key admissions metrics and more.
• Provide coaching and direction to develop staff, help them grow professionally, and ensure successful recruitment of class to meet enrollment targets.
• Coordinate and support corporate initiatives which may include the deans, students, faculty, staff, alumni, or volunteers.
• Systemically review and update technology processes to increase effectiveness and organizational efficiencies.
• Work closely with other teams, departments and outside partners to achieve strategic goals.

25% STUDENT OUTREACH AND RECRUITMENT TRACKING AND ENGAGEMENTS

• In collaboration with the Senior Assistant Dean, develop selection criteria to identify students with the highest potential for short- and long-term academic and professional success.
• Research, identify, select and implement tools, techniques and programs designed to evaluate and select GSM applicants.
• Lead staff in preparation of regular reports, statistical analyses and summaries for admissions to enable in the moment adjustments as needed.
• Identify robust strategies and tactics to bring in a well-rounded class and ensure admissions processes are equitable.
• Work closely with MarCom to ensure robust admissions communications, relationship management, and events that are strategically designed to achieve the GSM’s goals and enhance the visibility of the School in an increasingly competitive market.
• Participate in professional organizations and committees at the international, national and regional level.

25% CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT AND EVALUATION

• Execute an effective local, national and international student recruiting program for the Full-time, Bay Area, and Sacramento MBA programs as well as the Master of Management program.
• Provide oversight and direction for high-profile events, all recruiting admissions materials, and related activities.
• Train staff, and advise potential students and the public about UC Davis GSM programs, admission eligibility and application procedures.
• Direct complex admissions procedures and criteria, maintaining integrity and fairness in the selection process.
• In conjunction with the Admissions Committee, develop and update admission policies, procedures, and criteria.
• Interpret policies and provide advice on the formulation, implementation, including recommendations to faculty.
• Lead team in ensuring successful and timely evaluations of applications annually, making final decisions on admission.
• Ensure compliance with Information Practices Act and University of California file retention policies.
• Anticipate and reconcile institutional needs and outcomes related to ongoing public policy in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion and related issues.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Undergraduate in Business Administration, Economics, Communications or other related major.
• At least 7 years of increasingly responsible admissions experience with responsibilities leading or co-leading a successful admissions and recruiting  teams in the higher education setting (including prospect identification and cultivation).
• A proven track record of recruiting and admitting strong cohorts of candidates.
• Dynamic presenter with a depth of experience presenting in both webinar and live sessions to potential students and corporate executives.
• Nuanced knowledge of the graduate admissions profession, enrollment management strategies, and methods of marketing and recruiting in a business school or graduate/professional school setting.
• Strong leadership, management, supervision, and planning skills to initiate and execute complex admissions and recruiting programs, projects, taskforces, data analysis, and strategies.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master degree in Business Administration, Student Affairs, Student Counseling, Communication other relevant graduate degree.
• Specific MBA and Master of Management admissions and recruiting experiences with a track record of successfully delivering on classes.
• In depth understanding of the corporate world, including culture, priorities, and requirements and/or corporate experience in an organization that hires MBA and MM students.
• In depth knowledge to promoting the GSM and successful recruitment of students.

Work Environment 

Work occasional evenings and some weekends, occasionally on short notice. Travel, including overnight, in state and nationally. A valid California driver’s license required for travel locally to Davis, Sacramento, and Bay Area. Ability to travel regionally, nationally and internationally. This role is based out of the Davis campus 4 days a week, with remote option on the 5th day

Additional Physical Demands

Stand for extended periods of time.