Executive Director of Admissions

Payroll Title: Executive Director of Admissions | ADMISSIONS RECRMT MGR 3

Job Code: 0304

Job Open Date: 12/18/2024

Application Review Begins: 01/09/2025

Department Code (Name): ADMS (ADMISSIONS OFFICE)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff: Career

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): MSP

Salary Grade: Grade 27

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $128,800.00 to $252,200.00/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $128,800.00 to $252,200.00/year.

Work Location: Cheadle Hall 1234

Working Days and Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Variable

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Type of Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangement, if applicable: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The Office of Admissions is charged with assisting the campus in reaching its undergraduate admission and enrollment objectives in accordance with the University mission and campus enrollment goals. Department efforts are focused upon increasing the academic quality and diversity of the entering class while maintaining the required enrollment level. Admissions seeks to implement the campus admission goals by providing a number of services and events. Admissions promotes postsecondary education; encourages applications from historically underserved populations and schools; provides admission information to high school and community college counselors, teachers and administrators; provides admission advice to prospective freshman and transfer students; reviews and evaluates applications; develops recruitment strategies and events for admitted students; reviews coursework for transfer credit; and creates a presence on campus that is consistent with UCSB's mission and high academic standards. These services are provided by three units within the department: Visitor Center, Outreach Services, and Application Services.

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Brief Summary of Job Duties:

The Executive Director of Admissions at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is an experienced and innovative admissions leader and enrollment strategist. As one of the top research universities in the nation and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), the University of California, Santa Barbara is renowned for its talented faculty and students, its interdisciplinary research emphasis, and its excellent academic programs. The campus is consistently ranked among the top ten U.S. public universities by U.S. News & World Report, #35 among the world's top 400 universities by Times Higher Education, and #34 in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities. It has been designated by the US Department of Education as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) since 2015-becoming the first AAU member to achieve this minority-serving status. With a student population of approximately 22,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students distributed over its three colleges and two professional schools, UC Santa Barbara offers the benefits of a premier research university that also focuses on the undergraduate learning experience. Annually, UCSB receives approximately 111,000 freshman applications and more than 17,000 transfer applications, representing the 5th highest application total in the United States. UCSB continues to enroll an increasingly diverse and distinguished undergraduate student body. The Executive Director of Admissions provides vision, direction, leadership, and coordination of the University's undergraduate admissions and enrollment processes. Leading a team of 50 high performing, full-time professional and approximately 150 seasonal professionals and student staff, the Director will continually enhance the University's exceptional admissions trajectory in the continuous improvement of admission methods and processes. The Executive Director of Admissions will create and execute innovative strategies that inspire outstanding prospective students and their families to matriculate at UCSB. As a seasoned enrollment management professional, the Director brings significant expertise in new student recruitment and admissions, within a large, diverse, and highly selective institutional setting. The Director utilizes strategies and current best practices for managing successful recruitment programs and an in-depth understanding of student market trends and development prospects. Additionally, the Executive Director possesses excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills. The Executive Director of Admissions will uphold the University's values of integrity, excellence and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and will join academic and administrative colleagues in maintaining the high quality of education for its students while moving the institution further forward in national and international preeminence.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Expert knowledge of admissions and outreach programs.
• Advanced knowledge of University processes, protocols, and procedures for budget, account, and fund management.
• Knowledge of personnel management of labor contracts and personnel policy.
• Strong understanding of University rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques.
• Knowledge of human resources and risk management planning.
• Skills in conflict management, complex problem-solving, and resource and time management.
• Creativity and originality in problem-solving.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other campus entities.
• Skills in monitoring people, processes, or services for evaluation and improvement.
• Skills in project management.
• Ability to act persuasively and tactfully in politically nuanced situations. Strong leadership skills.
• Significant knowledge of the goals and mission of the University as they relate to academic preparation, recruitment, and advanced-standing admission.
• Significant knowledge of UC's colleges, schools and departmental transfer policies.
• Significant knowledge regarding UC's colleges / schools, general education policies and requisite transfer preparation.
• Advanced knowledge of fiscal management policies and practices and University personnel management policies and practices.
• Knowledge of organizational development strategies and practice.
• Significant knowledge of evaluation methodologies, data analysis procedures, and systems necessary for working with technical staff to develop effective data management and evaluation systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years Experience in progressively responsible positions managing undergraduate admissions, preferably at a large, complex public institution. Have a strong record of commitment to DEI. Additionally, this person should bring a strong history of supervisory and management experience and have the skills necessary to work effectively and collaboratively with senior university administrators, faculty, and other campus partners. The Director should be an accomplished speaker and comfortable in representing the University nationally and internationally. The ideal candidate will also have extensive experience with technology systems and possess the ability to work collaboratively with university technology staff.
• Advanced degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience and training.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Ability to work evenings and weekends. Extensive travel required.
• UCSB Campus Security Authority under Clery Act
• Maintain a valid CA driver's license, a successful DMV record and enrollment in the DMV Employer Pull-Notice Program
• Satisfactory criminal history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegation or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 30% LEADERSHIP & VISION - Collaborate with and advise faculty as an ex-officio member of the Academic Senate Committee on Admissions, Enrollment and Relations with Schools (CAERS) to: a. Design campus policies and procedures for undergraduate admissions selection processes for both freshmen class and transfer students; b. Ensure that research is conducted periodically which validates the effectiveness of UC Santa Barbara's admission selection processes; and c) provide historical perspective and significant information on emerging admissions trends and issues. Lead the development of recruitment and marketing strategies for Admissions and contribute to university-wide marketing efforts in collaboration with other campus agencies involved in providing public information. Adhering to faculty-approved admissions policy and guidelines, recommend, design and implement enhancements to the UC Santa Barbara application review process to take full advantage of all the information provided in the application. In collaboration with colleagues from Institutional Research provide expert advice to CAERS by directing research and evaluation in all areas related to undergraduate admissions; oversee and seek to continually improve UC Santa Barbara's application, admission and enrollment outcomes relative to the attainment of the campus's goals for academic quality and diversity. Recommend appropriate research and statistical analyses on admission to help campus constituents formulate policies and/or practices for consideration. Demonstrate sensitivity and devise mechanisms to ensure proper review of specially recruited populations, including disabled students, educationally disadvantaged students, as well as high-achieving applicants with special talents who may not meet all of the University's core admissions requirements, i.e. use of admission by exception. Lead initiatives to creatively utilize technology in support of recruitment and yield efforts and to streamline application processing in such a way that it integrates with campus IT systems and technologies.

• 30% HUMAN RESOURCE, PROGRAM & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Manage and allocate an annual budget in excess of $7.0 million to successfully meet campus enrollment objectives. Identify requirements for additional resources in support of campus enrollment objectives and unit needs, and proactively work with senior management to obtain essential support. Oversee the management of all areas in undergraduate admissions. Manage workflow, staffing assignments, and the coordination of efforts between the six units within the Office of Admissions including: a. Outreach/Recruitment (high school, community college, CSU, domestic U.S./international) b. Application Processing, Evaluation and Articulation c. Technology/systems d. Visitors Center e. Compliance and Operations Manage the complex operations of evaluating and processing applications; interpreting and adhering to systemwide and campus policies; establishing, managing and changing procedures in order to meet objectives and deadlines; ensuring accuracy of reviews and data; reporting data regularly to the University Office of the President. Together with three Associate Directors oversee daily operations and manage, direct and motivate staff to maintain effective, professional and ethical internal operations as they relate to high-level of service to all constituencies and efficient utilization of resources. Establish and maintain integrity of all processes related to admissions as well as ensure the security and accuracy of data. Direct academic course articulation agreements with California Community Colleges and California State University system at the campus level, and facilitate the use of this information in support of other campus services, for example, UC Santa Barbara's degree audit and student advising systems. Provide leadership and direction for strategic and innovative technology initiatives to effectively and efficiently support student recruitment, enrollment functions, admissions processing, communications and data reporting. a. Manage vendor contracts (10-12 annually) to ensure integration with existing campus systems b. Full responsibility for data integrity within systems, ensuring student communications are accurate and data security prevents miscommunication with public facing audiences. Ensure campus compliance with established policies and procedures related to undergraduate admissions policies and data management, and redress problems as appropriate. Provide supervision and oversight to the Admissions Business Systems and Compliance Officer to ensure the Office of Admissions remains in full compliance with State Legislative mandates, UCOP Audit, and UCSB Audit mandates. a. Submit annual Admissions Guidelines and Policy Manual to UCSB and UCOP Audit and Compliance. b. Submit annual reports to BOARS documenting mandated reports ("Compare Favorably" and "Comprehensive Review" reporting) c. Provide training and Admission Compliance to outside departments with specialized admission procedures including Athletics, College of Creative Studies, Departments of Music and Dance. d. Ensure Conflict of Interest practices are followed and reported annually. Provide annual training to Development, Alumni Association, and UCSB Trustees e. Serve as the main point of contact within Admissions for Public Record Requests.

• 20% STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION - Work collaboratively with the UC Santa Barbara faculty representative to the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) to advance UC Santa Barbara's voice and interests in connection with the development of UC-wide admission policy and practices. Oversee the design and coordinate Admissions Office and other campus unit activity aimed at the identification, recruitment and yield of highly qualified and diverse undergraduates to UC Santa Barbara. Key campus units involved in recruitment and yield include the College of Letters and Science; the College of Engineering; the College of Creative Studies; Financial Aid Office; UC Santa Barbara Alumni Association; Early Academic Outreach Program; Public Affairs; and a host of offices focusing on international initiatives. Collaborate and advise Deans and academic department chairs on strategies for attracting academically talented and diverse students to their departments. Guide on best practices for communications, web content, and marketing to ensure a global presence to prospective students. Partner with the Office of Public Affairs and Communications to direct global marketing campaigns to reach prospective students. Collaborate and advise all UC Santa Barbara student preparation and outreach units to ensure coordination of outreach goals with the mission of the Admissions Office. Collaborate and advise departments within the Division of Student Affairs and other campus units, to improve services to current UC Santa Barbara students where the Admissions Office has a relevant role and contribution to make such as establishing working groups as needed (e.g., non-resident work group). Support the work of UC Santa Barbara's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics within the context of a highly selective academic admissions program. Serve as the Admissions liaison and advisor to the Vice-Chancellor of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to set enrollment goals for campus diversity and to create a campus climate that is welcoming and supportive to prospective students. a. As the first Hispanic Serving Institution within the AAU, ensure recruitment programs serve the needs of California's diverse population. b. Collaborate with department and Research Units such as the Center for Black Studies, Office of Black Student Development, Center for Chicano Studies to create dynamic outreach programs and build a campus culture that attracts a diverse student population to UCSB. 6) Serve as the primary campus representative various professional organizations including: a. The College Board b. National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) c. Association of Chief Admission Officers of Public Universities (ACAOPU) d. NAFSA Association of International Educators. e. International Association of College Admission Counselors (IACAC) Maintain close working relations and serve in an advisory capacity to the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, College Deans, UC Office of the President Admissions and Educational Partnerships, and with other admissions offices at sister UC campuses on issues related to recruitment, admission, communications, and enrollment.

• 20% EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS - Serve as the "public voice" of UC Santa Barbara undergraduate admissions. Direct the development of marketing strategies and communication pathways to a global audience of students, parents, and school administrators. Oversee the development of publications, newsletters, recruitment videos, public presentations and electronic media about UC Santa Barbara including the flow of information to high schools, community colleges, CSU campuses, and the public. Represent UC Santa Barbara externally, in California, across the United States and internationally, in a wide variety of venues on topics related to access and admissions and to ensure a global presence of the campus to the public a. Serve as the campus expert on Admissions and enrollment management issues to professional organizations and at national forums and conferences. b. Represent UCSB on local and national Boards and non-profit organizations Ensure the building of collaborative relationships with significant constituent groups, including, school and college counselors, administrators and teachers; community-based organizations; UC Santa Barbara alumni, UC Santa Barbara student groups, and representatives of international educational agencies. Manage public relations involving all aspects of recruitment and admission. In this capacity, work with UC Santa Barbara Public Affairs and Governmental Relations. Ensure the provision of information concerning admission and enrollment at UC Santa Barbara to prospective applicants, in written and a wide variety of electronic forms, in a timely manner. Such liaison responsibilities include: a. inquiries from the media b. public officials c. UC Regents d. School administrators e. Attorneys, litigants, and UC legal council

UC Vaccination Programs Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.

As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information:

UC Santa Barbara COVID-19 Information

University of California Policy on Vaccinations

* Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
UC Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For more information:

University of California's Affirmative Action Policy

University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy

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