Associate Director Of Enrollment Strategy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Senior Director of Graduate Enrollment Management serves as a senior executive for Gies Graduate Programs. This leader partners closely with the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs to translate strategic vision into measurable enrollment outcomes across residential and online graduate portfolios. This role also works closely with Gies Marketing & Communications (MarCom) and serves as the lead recruitment contact for top‑of‑funnel partners and degree program hosts such as Coursera. The Senior Director is accountable for enterprise‑level recruitment, admissions, and enrollment strategy, enrollment target ownership, and resource alignment in support of institutional revenue goals and academic priorities. This role shapes the long‑term enrollment architecture of the college, positions Gies Graduate Programs competitively in national and global markets, and ensures operational excellence through high‑performing recruitment and admissions teams. Serving as a senior advisor to the Associate Dean, the Senior Director provides strategic analysis, forecasting, and market intelligence to inform portfolio growth, risk mitigation, and innovation in recruitment, admissions, and enrollment pathways.

Recruitment, Admissions, and Enrollment Strategy Leadership and Accountability

• Accountable for performance outcomes across residential and online recruitment and admissions teams
• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction to two high‑performing recruitment and admission teams spanning residential and online programs
• Ensure operational excellence in admissions review, scholarship administration, onboarding, and yield management
• Develop, manage, and allocate recruitment and admissions budget resources aligned with strategic priorities
• Work closely with the Graduate Programs leadership to create and maintain a functional recruitment and marketing budget for Gies Graduate Programs. Monitor budget allocations and expenditures to ensure unit priorities are supported effectively.
• Establish performance metrics, dashboards, and accountability frameworks
• Ensure compliance with Graduate College and university policies
• Accountable for developing, executing, and sustaining a comprehensive graduate recruitment, admissions, and enrollment strategy aligned with institutional priorities
• Own and monitor annual enrollment and tuition revenue targets in collaboration with academic and budget leadership
• Lead enrollment and tuition revenue forecasting, scenario modeling, and funnel performance analysis
• Conduct market intelligence and competitive analysis to inform program positioning, pricing considerations, and portfolio evolution
• Position Gies Graduate Programs competitively within national and global graduate education markets
• Lead change management initiatives to evolve recruitment models in response to market, regulatory, and technological shifts

Active Recruitment & Pipeline Development

• Responsible for designing and implementing proactive recruitment strategies that expand domestic and international pipelines beyond passive inquiry channels
• Cultivate strategic partnerships, corporate relationships, and emerging market opportunities
• Align scholarship strategy and financial incentives with enrollment objectives
• Monitor yield risk and intervene strategically to protect target outcomes
• Represent Gies Graduate Programs in high‑level external recruitment engagements and partnership initiatives

Cross‑Functional Strategy & Senior Advisory Role

• Serve as a senior advisor to the Associate Dean on enrollment forecasting, portfolio growth strategy, and institutional enrollment risk mitigation
• Support student services leadership to create and implement learner retention strategies
• Collaborate with and support other sub‑units within graduate programs, aligning with and advancing unit vision and priorities
• Collaborate with MarCom, Business Development, International Programs, academic departments, and central leadership to ensure strategic alignment
• Support the launch of new academic programs across both modalities through integrated enrollment planning
• Contribute strategic enrollment data to accreditation and reporting initiatives
• Represent Gies Graduate Programs in engagements with a variety of constituents, with the ability to help shape commitments, resolve issues, and contribute to agreements in atypical circumstances.

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 7+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in graduate enrollment management, recruitment strategy, learner lifecycle management, or a related field
• Demonstrated success contributing to enrollment growth initiatives and advancing strategic recruitment outcomes
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing professional teams

• Master’s degree
• Experience in both residential and online graduate education environments
• Experience with engaging domestic and international learners and markets
• Experience in a complex research university setting

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the development and execution of enterprise‑level enrollment strategy
• Strong analytical and forecasting capabilities
• Budget management and resource allocation expertise
• Ability to translate vision into measurable execution
• Exceptional communication and relationship‑building skills
• Experience managing change and leading teams through evolving education landscapes

This is a 100% full‑time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after search close date. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range for the position is $130,000 to $140,000.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship.

This position is expected to work primarily on‑site at the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign campus. Limited hybrid work options may be available based on operational needs and with supervisor approval.

For more information about Gies business visit https://inside.giesbusiness.illinois.edu/work-at-gies

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non‑discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E‑Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.