Director of Undergraduate Admissions

The Director of Undergraduate Admissions serves as a strategic and operational leader responsible for developing and executing recruitment strategies to attract, admit, and enroll a diverse and talented undergraduate student body. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Enrollment, the Director leads the undergraduate admissions team and collaborates closely with campus partners to achieve first-year and transfer enrollment goals aligned with the university's mission and values. This role is a key member of the Enrollment Leadership Team at a private, enrollment-driven university.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, supervise, and mentor the undergraduate admissions team, including performance evaluations, training, and professional development.
• Manage the admissions budget, allocate resources strategically, and track key performance indicators.
• Cultivate a collaborative team culture grounded in shared values and accountability.
• Model and champion the university's commitment to belonging, diversity, and inclusion.

Strategic Planning & Data-Driven Decision Making

• Develop and implement annual and multi-year recruitment strategies to meet enrollment targets.
• Use data analytics to monitor trends, assess outcomes, and continuously refine recruitment tactics.
• Collaborate with University Relations to ensure consistent, branded messaging across all channels.
• Drive innovation in outreach strategies and pipeline development.
• Contribute to the university's financial aid leveraging strategy to support enrollment goals.

Recruitment & Outreach

• Integrate the work of the Guest Experience Team (led by the Senior Associate Director of Admissions) into the overall recruitment plan.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with high school counselors, community partners, and other influencers.
• Oversee recruitment travel strategy, including planning, budgeting, and staff deployment; establish clear expectations for recruitment travel.
• Represent the university at key events, presentations, and conferences.

Admissions Operations & Technology

• Oversee application review processes and ensure timely, consistent, and mission-aligned admissions decisions for both first-year and transfer domestic applicants.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and external regulations across all admission practices.
• Leverage CRM systems (e.g., Slate) and related technologies to manage application workflows and communications.
• Provide oversight of direct admissions and specialized admissions programs.

Campus Collaboration & Student Onboarding

• Partner with faculty, coaches, financial aid, student life, and other campus stakeholders to support integrated enrollment strategies.
• Support the coordination and implementation of onboarding processes and pre-enrollment steps for newly confirmed students.
• Contribute to university-wide initiatives that enhance the student experience and support student success.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree required, ideally in higher education, business, counseling, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in undergraduate admissions, recruitment, or a closely related area.
• At least 2 years of supervisory experience, including team development and performance management.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex application review processes.
• Proficiency with CRM systems (Slate preferred).
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in transfer student recruitment and onboarding.
• Familiarity with list acquisition, search strategy, and digital lead generation.
• Expertise with email marketing platforms and analytics.
• Prior experience at a small, private, liberal arts institution.
• Creative problem-solver with the ability to adapt to a dynamic and evolving enrollment landscape.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.

Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener's Flexible Work policy.

Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at www.widener.edu.

EOE M/F/V/D