Vice President Operational Risk Jobs in Fairfield, CT

The mission of The University of Bridgeport is to promote academic excellence, personal responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

Position Overview

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Enrollment Management is a senior hands-on leader responsible for driving enrollment growth across all student populations at the University of Bridgeport. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the AVP will own the full recruitment pipeline - from prospect to enrolled student - for undergraduate (freshman and transfer), graduate, and adult learner audiences. This role requires equal comfort in strategic planning and daily execution: building and managing a recruitment team, directing marketing-integrated outreach campaigns, and maintaining the data infrastructure that informs every enrollment decision. The ideal candidate thrives in a lean, high-accountability environment and brings a track record of moving enrollment numbers at a small or mid-size institution.

Primary Responsibilities

Recruitment & Pipeline Management

• Develop and execute comprehensive recruitment strategies for undergraduate (freshmen and transfer), graduate, and adult learner populations.

• Set enrollment goals by population segment, monitor pipeline progression, and adjust strategies in real time to hit targets.

• Build and maintain relationships with high schools, community colleges, community organizations, and employer partners to support pipeline development.

• Oversee the full student recruitment cycle: inquiry generation, application review, admission decision, and yield activities including campus visits and events.

• Personally engage prospective students and families as needed - this is a working leadership role.

Data, Technology & Reporting

• Serve as a primary power user of Slate CRM, ensuring clean data hygiene, well-configured workflows, and effective communication automation.

• Collaborate with the UB IT team in building and maintaining enrollment dashboards that provide real-time visibility into pipeline health, conversion rates, and funnel drop-off points.

• Translate data into actionable recommendations for the VP, President's Cabinet, and other institutional stakeholders.

• Partner with Institutional Research and IT to align enrollment data with broader university reporting systems.

• Track and report on key enrollment metrics weekly, including application volume, admits, deposits, and yield by population.

Marketing & Communications Integration

• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop audience-specific campaigns across digital, print, email, and social channels that drive inquiry and application volume.

• Direct or co-direct lead nurturing workflows in Slate, including drip communications, trigger-based outreach, and counselor follow-up sequences.

• Advise on purchased list strategy, digital advertising targeting, and SEO/SEM investments to expand the top of the funnel.

• Ensure recruitment messaging is compelling, accurate, and aligned with the University's brand positioning and program strengths.

• Evaluate marketing campaign performance and adjust spend and creative strategy based on results.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Directly supervise admissions counselors and enrollment staff, providing coaching, goal-setting, and performance management.

• Foster a high-performance team culture with clear accountability, consistent training, and a student-first orientation.

• Manage recruitment travel schedules, event planning, and territory assignments.

• Maintain operational efficiency across enrollment processes, identifying opportunities to streamline and automate wherever possible.

• Serve as acting VP for Enrollment Management in the VP's absence and contribute to division-wide strategic planning.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree required.

• 5-7+ years of progressive admissions or enrollment management experience in higher education.

• Demonstrated experience recruiting across multiple student populations, including undergraduate freshmen, transfer students, graduate students, and adult learners.

• Proficiency with a CRM system; Slate experience strongly preferred.

• Proven ability to use data and metrics to drive enrollment decisions and resource allocation.

• Experience collaborating with or directing marketing functions in support of enrollment goals.

• 2+ years in a supervisory or management role within an enrollment or admissions office.

• Experience at a small or mid-size private institution.

• Familiarity with financial aid packaging strategy as a tool to influence enrollment decisions and improve yield.

• Experience managing purchased list marketing, lead nurturing campaigns, and digital advertising for enrollment purposes.

• Demonstrated track record of year-over-year enrollment growth at a prior institution.

Preferred

• Master's degree in higher education administration, business, or a related field.

Full-Time Employee Benefits:
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Pet Insurance
401k employer match
Employee & dependent life insurance
Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents
PTO program
Flexible work schedules / work from home opportunities

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between The University of Bridgeport and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the University as the needs of the University and requirements of the job change.)

The University of Bridgeport provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The University of Bridgeport complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.