Director Of Student Programs Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

The Director of Admissions is a senior administrative role responsible for directing the university's strategic enrollment, student recruitment, admissions, and application processes. Specifically, this position is responsible for leading undergraduate and graduate recruitment and admissions efforts and advancing enrollment growth through student-centered, data-informed recruitment strategies, as well as other assigned tasks. Reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor of Integrate Enrollment and Brand Strategy, this role leads the admissions team in delivering a personalized, high-touch recruitment experience while advancing UT Southern's enrollment goals.

UT Southern has recently implemented a comprehensive integrated enrollment model that aligns admissions, marketing, communications, digital strategy, and student success. The Director of Admissions will join a university committed to investing in enrollment growth through technology, analytics, recruitment staffing, and strategic marketing initiatives.

This position offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of enrollment at a growing institution. Working closely with university leadership and campus partners, the Director will contribute both strategic and operational leadership across recruitment planning, staff development, enrollment operations, and student engagement. The successful candidate will be energized by building strong teams, fostering collaboration, and continuously improving the student recruitment experience in a dynamic higher education environment. The position offers significant visibility and collaboration with senior university leadership and provide an opportunity to influence the future direction of enrollment growth at UT Southern.

This position is an on-campus position. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status. The hiring range for this position is $90,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree

• Three (3) years relevant university admissions experience.

• Demonstrated success leading teams and driving measurable enrollment outcomes.

• Experience using CRM systems and enrollment data to inform strategy.

• Strong communication, coaching, and organizational skills.

• Valid Driver's License

Preferred:

• Master's Degree

• Experience working within an integrated enrollment or marketing model.

• Familiarity with digital recruitment strategies and funnel optimization.

• Experience recruiting diverse student populations, including adult learners, transfer students, and online students.

• Knowledge of UT System or similar public higher education environments.

Enrollment Strategy & Outcomes 

• Provide strategic leadership for undergraduate and graduate recruitment efforts and collaborate with campus partners to optimize conversion, yield, and enrollment outcomes.

• Partner with leadership to translate institutional goals into an actionable strategic enrollment management plan by audience, region, and academic program.

• Monitor recruitment performance and emerging enrollment trends to help inform recruitment planning and decision-making.

• Oversee data-driven enrollment strategies tailored to meet the university's growth and retention goals.

Team Leadership & Development 

• Lead, coach, and develop the admissions team, including counselors, coordinators, and support staff.

• Establish a performance culture grounded in clear expectations, accountability, professional growth, and collaboration.

• Set recruitment territories, goals, and outreach strategies, ensuring balanced workloads and strong coverage.

• Foster a student-first, service-oriented culture that reflects UT Southern's values and brand promise.

• Champion a culture of evidence-based decision-making across the admissions team.

Recruitment Operations & CRM Optimization

• Oversee daily recruitment and admissions operations, policies, and procedures to ensure accuracy and compliance.

• Manage the application lifecycle ensuring efficient processing of student records.

• Leverage CRM tools, automation, and reporting in support of recruitment goals.

• Partner with marketing and digital strategy teams to align campaigns, messaging, and outreach cadence.

• Ensure seamless handoff points between marketing, admissions, financial aid, and student success.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement 

• Monitor enrollment dashboards and key performance indicators; translate insights into action.

• Produce regular enrollment forecasts and reports for leadership and campus stakeholders.

• Use data to identify barriers, optimize processes, and test new recruitment approaches.

• Model demographic trends to shape the class profile.

Cross Campus & External Engagement 

• Serve as a collaborative partner to academic leadership, athletics, registrar, student success, financial aid, advising, and marketing to optimize student onboarding and enrollment.

• Represent UT Southern at recruitment events, high schools, community colleges, and system-wide initiatives.

• Support special initiatives including online program growth, adult learner expansion, and regional recruitment (e.g., Huntsville, Middle Tennessee corridor).

• Direct on-campus events such as Admitted Student Days, Preview Days.

This role operates with a high degree of autonomy, setting priorities and managing execution within institutional goals and strategic direction established by the Chancellor. The Director of Admissions is expected to proactively identify challenges, proposes solutions, and lead change.

This role offers the opportunity to shape and strengthen admissions operations during a period of institutional momentum and enrollment growth. The Director of Admissions will help share the next era of UT Southern by ensuring that enrollment strategy, student experience, and brand promise are fully aligned and delivered. The successful candidate will be energized by growth, complexity, and the opportunity to build something meaningful. Exceptional public speaking, interpersonal, and communication skills to act as an ambassador for the university and perspective students and families preferred.