Director of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment

The Director of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment is responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives to attract, recruit, and enroll graduate students at the University of Houston-Downtown. This position oversees graduate recruitment efforts, builds partnerships with key stakeholders, and ensures a seamless admissions process. The Director will work collaboratively with academic departments, faculty, and external partners to increase enrollment and enhance the graduate student experience from inquiry through matriculation.

• Oversees the graduate admissions process, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and adherence to university policies and accreditation standards.
• Leads and manages recruitment efforts, including graduate fairs, information sessions, corporate partnerships, and digital engagement strategies.
• Develops and executes a comprehensive graduate recruitment and admissions strategy aligned with UHD's enrollment goals.
• Builds and maintains partnerships with undergraduate institutions, employers, community organizations, and professional associations to strengthen graduate student pipelines.
• Works closely with academic departments to understand program offerings and admission requirements, ensuring effective communication with prospective students.
• Supervises and provides professional development for graduate admissions staff, ensuring high service and engagement with prospective students.
• Analyzes enrollment trends, prepares reports, and assesses the effectiveness of recruitment strategies to make data-driven decisions.

• Performs all other duties as assigned
• Represents UHD at recruitment events, conferences, and meetings to promote graduate programs and foster relationships with key stakeholders.
• Collaborates with the marketing and communications team to develop targeted recruitment materials, digital campaigns, and outreach initiatives.

Direct Reports:

• Full-time Employees

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s)

Supervision Given:

• Has primary responsibility for conducting performance evaluations and making recommendations for hiring and dismissing employees.

Required Education:

• Master's degree

Required Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of related job experience

License/Certification

• N/A

• None Required

• N/A

• Five (5) years of experience in Student Services or Enrollment Management
• Experience with PeopleSoft and EAB is preferred

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of recruitment best practices, varied learning modalities, experience with marketing and communications, and working with students from various backgrounds.
• Knowledge of computer operations/data processing systems.

Skills:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to exercise group leadership skills that emphasize collaboration, consensus building, conflict resolution, and problem solving.
• Ability to work as part of a team dedicated to collaboration and the university's goal of increasing enrollment

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical interior work environment, which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements.
• The individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks.

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Operations Management

• Manages department or section operations consistent with department/section goals and objectives.
• Administers the department/section budget, ensuring effective utilization of financial resources and appropriate disbursement of funds.
• Fosters a cooperative and productive work environment through motivation, encouragement, and mentorship of staff.
• Ensures department/section compliance with university and department policies, procedures, and work rules.
• Keeps management apprised of department/section activities and issues requiring senior management input.

Building External Relationships

• Demonstrates the ability to build rapport and develop relationships with external constituents.
• Displays a genuine interest in constituents' ideas and concerns, and pursues mutual interests and aspirations between the university and external constituents.
• Builds trust and forms alliances through shared respect and cooperation.

Supervision

• Supervises the work of staff employees.
• Sets clear goals and expectations within reasonable timeframes.
• Motivates staff through constructive feedback, challenging assignments, and recognition of achievements.
• Provides mentorship and guidance by sharing expertise and best practices.
• Supports staff by providing essential resources, professional development opportunities, and open communication.
• Promptly addresses performance issues with appropriate measures and discretion.

Research and Analysis

• Applies knowledge and skills to collect and analyze relevant data and information.
• Assesses benefits and risks, and prepares comprehensive reports of findings.
• Submits recommendations for management's review and evaluation..

Student Success Direct Support

• Supervises the work of staff employees.
• Sets clear goals and expectations within reasonable timeframes.
• Motivates staff through constructive feedback, challenging assignments, and recognition of achievements.
• Provides mentorship and guidance by sharing expertise and best practices.
• Supports staff by providing essential resources, professional development opportunities, and open communication.
• Promptly addresses performance issues with appropriate measures and discretion.