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Director Of Admissions Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

State of South Carolina

Director of Admissions

Cheraw, SC · On-site

$52K - $70K/yr

The Director of Admissions provides operational leadership and oversight for the College's recruitment and admissions functions, developing and implementing comprehensive enrollment strategies to ...

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Director Of Admissions Operations information

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$20.5K

$64.2K

$100K

How much do director of admissions operations jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of admissions operations in the United States is $64,168.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $75,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Director of Admissions Operations do?

A Director of Admissions Operations oversees the administrative and operational aspects of a school's admissions department. This role involves managing application processing, implementing admissions policies, maintaining data integrity, and ensuring compliance with regulations. They also lead admissions staff, optimize workflow, and use data to improve recruitment and enrollment strategies. Their work ensures the admissions process is efficient, transparent, and aligned with the institution’s goals.

What is the difference between Director Of Admissions Operations vs Admissions Coordinator?

AspectDirector Of Admissions OperationsAdmissions Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire admissions process, manages teams, develops policiesAssists with application processing, schedules interviews, provides applicant info
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in admissions or higher education managementBachelor's degree often preferred, entry-level to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentAdministrative offices, leadership meetings, strategic planningFront desk, admissions office, student services
Industry UsageCommon in higher education institutions, private schoolsUsed in colleges, universities, and some training programs

The main difference is that the Director Of Admissions Operations manages the entire admissions process and team, focusing on strategy and policy, while the Admissions Coordinator handles day-to-day applicant interactions and administrative tasks. Both roles require relevant experience and work within educational institutions, but the director position involves higher-level oversight and decision-making.

How does a Director of Admissions Operations typically collaborate with other departments to ensure a seamless admissions process?

A Director of Admissions Operations regularly works with departments such as academic affairs, financial aid, marketing, and IT to coordinate efforts and streamline the admissions process. This collaboration ensures that prospective students receive accurate information, timely communication, and a smooth transition from applicant to enrolled student. Directors often lead cross-functional meetings, develop integrated timelines, and troubleshoot process bottlenecks to enhance operational efficiency. Effective communication and relationship-building skills are crucial for aligning departmental goals and maintaining a positive applicant experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Admissions Operations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Admissions Operations, you need expertise in enrollment management, data analysis, and process optimization, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education or a related field. Familiarity with admissions CRMs, student information systems, and data analytics tools is typically required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and collaborative communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These capabilities are vital for driving effective admissions strategies, ensuring operational efficiency, and meeting institutional enrollment goals.
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Director Of Admissions Operations jobs near you
Associate Director of Admissions Operations

Associate Director of Admissions Operations

Columbia University

New York, NY • On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

  • Job Type: Officer of Administration
  • Bargaining Unit:
  • Regular/Temporary: Regular
  • End Date if Temporary:
  • Hours Per Week:
  • Standard Work Schedule: Hybrid (Remote and On-Site Work)
  • Building:
  • Salary Range: 80,000 - 90,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director of Admissions Operations in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), the Associate Director of Admissions Operations serves as the operational leader for day-to-day admissions decision processes and operational workflows. This role is responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of admissions decisions and for overseeing data integrity and compliance-related processes across all programs. The incumbent exercises significant independent judgment and acts as a close partner to the Director of Admissions Operations.
Responsibilities
Admissions Decision Management and Execution (35%)
  • Under the general supervision of the Director of Admissions Operations, implements and maintains day-to-day graduate admissions procedures.
  • Oversees the full lifecycle of admissions decision release processes across all programs.
  • Partners the Director of Admissions Operations in liaising with internal user population of 300+ faculty and departmental administrators, and ensures consistent, accurate, diplomatic, and timely communications.
  • Oversees application statuses to ensure the timely release of decisions and verifies the accuracy of applicant details.
  • Ensures timely, accurate, and consistent decision execution in coordination with departments and school leadership.
  • Administers the admissions application security process to ensure appropriate user access.
  • Exercises independent judgment to manage and resolve applicant inquiries and departmental difficulties based on admissions policies and procedures.

Compliance and Risk Oversight (30%)
  • Leads admissions compliance processes including credential verification standards, audit workflows, and policy adherence.
  • Oversees high-risk cases, including fraud escalations and exceptions requiring independent judgment.
  • Ensures adherence to institutional and regulatory requirements.
  • Enforces institutional guidelines, policies, and procedures surrounding graduate student admissions.
  • Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations regarding admissions and applicant data.

Operations Coordination and Data Stewardship (20%)
  • Coordinates daily admissions operations during peak cycles.
  • Ensures the efficient processing of admission applications by developing and administering policies, procedures, and systems.
  • Maintains proficiency with new technologies and techniques that assist in enhancing the system's capabilities or improving office workflow efficiency.
  • With the assistance of the GSAS IT office, ensures timely and accurate flows of data between the GSAS on-line application system and the University student information system.
  • Coordinates system audits to ensure data integrity and accuracy; works with on-line vendor and the Office of the Registrar to resolve data issues.
  • Oversees data input, verification, record matching, and data cleaning.
  • Prepares and analyzes reports and compiles admissions data for various reporting requirements.
  • Executes annual retention policies in collaboration with the Director of IT.

Policy and Process Development (10%)
  • Develops and maintains library of admissions policies and procedures.
  • Performs analyses, identifies problems and recommends solutions to optimize operations workflows; identifies process inefficiencies and implements improvements.
  • Maintains documentation and training materials related to compliance and decision workflows.

Other (5%)
  • Performs other related duties as assigned by Director of Admissions Operations or senior leadership.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree.
  • Minimum of 3-5 years of admissions or related experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in compliance, decision-making processes, and operational leadership required. Strong analytical, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills essential.
  • Strong commitment to exceptional customer service, a collaborative orientation, and outstanding interpersonal skills essential.
  • To be successful in this role, the Associate Director should demonstrate a high degree of professional maturity and operational effectiveness; and an ability to work collaboratively and independently in an academic setting.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with application management systems and email management software (such as SLATE and/or FRONT) is preferred.
  • Prior experience in a graduate admissions office and supervisory experience preferred.

Other Requirements
  • Interested individuals must supply a résumé and cover letter to be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

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