Administrative Director of Admissions and Recruiting
Henry Ford College presents an opportunity for a Director of Admissions and Recruiting.
The Director of Admissions and Recruiting will provide strategic leadership, direction, and vision for the Admissions and Recruiting department as part of the Division of Marketing and Communications. The College’s strategic plan puts student success at the center of all our efforts, and the Director of Admissions and Recruiting will play a central role in helping the team and the College accomplish the strategic plan.
In this role, you will direct all aspects of admissions and student recruiting for the College. This includes a team of K-12 and adult student recruiters and admissions personnel. You will provide leadership in meeting the College’s enrollment goals by collaborating with leaders in Marketing and Communications, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Administrative and Financial Services, Institutional Research, and others to create, implement, evaluate, and optimize best practices in admissions and recruiting for our diverse group of student populations.
About you: You are a dynamic, ethical, hardworking, creative professional who is exhilarated by the opportunity to envision, lead, and direct the College’s Admissions and Recruiting efforts for all student populations, while serving as an active and supportive colleague for your team and other teams. You are a constant learner and keen observer who enjoys working directly with students and the people who support them. You are a coalition-builder who works equally well in tactical and strategic settings, inside and outside the College.
Your role at the College: You will actively engage and guide your team toward innovation, and will follow and evaluate best and emerging practices in the field from the human to the technological. You will take an active interest in all aspects of College operations relating to student success. You will create a deep understanding of how your team operates by engaging in discussions and document/technology/resource review, active trainings, site visits, and hands-on opportunities in your early days as director. You will develop a functional understanding of the CRM and related Admissions processes. You will learn about the work of student services teams and collaborate with these teams including advising, financial aid, registration and records, billing and payment, orientation, counseling, career services, student retention, student activities, varsity athletics, and K-12 relations. You will develop a working understanding of College operations including marketing and communications goals, financial/budget goals, and other areas that affect admissions, recruiting, and student success.
You will take primary responsibility for leading, training, motivating, managing, and supporting the Admissions and Recruiting team to ensure the team members are engaged, prepared, and properly resourced; that they understand and have the knowledge base and experiences to achieve their goals and the department’s goals; that they are effectively mentored and evaluated; that their environment actively supports collaboration, supportive interactions, and transparent communication; and that all activities are compliant with College policies and external regulations.
You will manage a significant individual workload, including creating and updating a strategic recruiting plan comprising strategies and tactics; analyzing the processes and procedures surrounding admissions and recruiting through to successful student enrollment; participating in the development of departmental collateral, tools, and practices; using data to optimize the work of the Admissions and Recruiting team; and other duties as required.
You will report to and work closely with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications. In collaboration with the VP, you will improve and refine the department’s strategic and operational plan(s) to align with divisional and College strategic priorities. You will be an active member of the Divisional Leadership Team, providing cohesion and collaboration not only within the division, but across the College.
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday, plus some evening weekend/evening commitments.
Core Competencies and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, education, marketing and communications, higher education administration, student development, or related field.
- Demonstrated success in student recruiting, admissions, and student-focused services at an accredited public university or community college.
- Capacity for a robust workload. We seek a highly motivated, organized, detail-oriented self-starter who thrives in a goal-driven environment. The Director must be able to lead effectively while also carrying a consistent individual workload.
- Strong leadership skills in developing and supporting a constructive, ethical, team-based culture in an environment that actively values and strives toward Advancing Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (ABIDE).
- Strong cross-cultural competency and cultural humility that recognizes, values, and advances the cultural assets and multiple forms of human diversity that enrich our local and broader communities. Ability to support the team’s growth in developing cross-cultural understanding and communications.
- Ability to identify, provide or obtain, and assess ongoing training needs for staff.
- Strong interpersonal/professional relationship skills applicable for audiences from executives to community settings.
- Outstanding oral and written communication, collaboration, and consensus-building skills.
- Ability to build productive relationships with external stakeholders such as peers, K-12 schools, professional and civic organizations, workforce development organizations, and other entities.
- Success in accomplishing complex multi-dimensional projects, which can include aggressive timelines in a changing environment.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while demonstrating teamwork, flexibility, and innovative thinking.
- Demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions that guide strategy and lead to ROI.
- High comfort level with change and frequent interaction within and beyond the institution.
- Understanding and experience with CRM system(s) as a strategic tool in a recruiting and admissions context.
- Solid technical skills and an ability to learn, apply, and teach new systems and technologies quickly.
- Available for work outside of business hours as needed for events and other job-related duties.
- Physical requirements: Must have the ability to:
- Sit or stand for prolonged periods at a workstation.
- Operate a computer for complex business tasks.
- Transport self and carry and distribute collateral and branded materials to on-campus and off-site locations.
- Drive a personal vehicle throughout the Southeast Michigan region and occasionally longer distances (driver’s license and personal vehicle required).
- Set up items such as pop-up display, tent/tables, and related display materials with or without assistance.
The most successful candidate will have a career that might include the following:
- Master’s degree in relevant field.
- Five or more years’ leadership experience in student recruiting, admissions, registration, communications, or other student services operation, with three or more years’ supervisory experience.
- Thorough knowledge of the research behind and use of core concepts and strategies associated with student recruiting and enrollment management, including the use of social media and information/communications technology.
Additional unique competencies that will contribute to success in this role:
- Creativity and Innovation – Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourages ideas and innovations that can be tested, measured, and scaled; designs and implements new or emerging programs/processes. Is conversant with AI-related developments in the field. Takes initiative to learn standard AI-related tools to advance efficiency and innovation.
- Customer Experience – Works with customers (any individuals who use or receive the services your department provides, including the general public, individuals who work in the College, or organizations outside the College) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; understands available services; is committed to providing excellent, timely services.
- Decision Making – Makes sound, well-informed, objective decisions aligned with College goals and strategy; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to informed action even in uncertain situations to accomplish organizational goals; causes productive change.
- Implementing Strategies – Confidently implements chosen strategies, despite difficulty or resistance; collaborates across organizational units to ensure buy-in and follow-through on strategies; skillfully obtains commitment from affected parties to transform strategic vision into reality.
- Engaged Leadership and Team Building – Demonstrates mature leadership that includes self-awareness and leadership presence. Consistently produces high-quality work on their own initiative. Takes responsibility for their and the team’s efforts and successes. Provides knowledgeable guidance, mentoring, and training for team members. Leads and cooperates as a team member and ambassador within and outside the institution. Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Is known as a trustworthy, supportive, resourceful leader who operates in a spirit of service to the team and is an active member of the team they lead. Facilitates cooperation and two-way communication; informs and motivates team members to accomplish goals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities including but not limited to
- Envision, develop, and implement a strategic student Recruiting plan that targets multiple student populations, is data-driven, supports ABIDE principles (advancing belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity), and is well-designed to attract and retain students and to advance the College’s mission and Strategic Plan.
- In close collaboration with the College’s team leaders and informed by relevant data, determine annual Recruiting and enrollment goals for all target student populations, including dual enrollment, traditional, non-traditional, international, and guest students.
- Hire, supervise, train, manage, and support the Admissions and Recruiting team as a cohesive, engaged team of high-performing professionals.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations for all recruiting and admissions functions; assess operations and implement changes as necessary to achieve enrollment goals.
- Participate in the marketing, communications, and positioning of Henry Ford College’s image and visibility to relevant audiences. Collaborate across the College to effectively market the College to a broad variety of prospective students.
- In collaboration with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications and other team members, plan and participate in relevant recruiting materials and related assets including print, digital, and tactile components.
- Lead or oversee on-campus, virtual, and off-campus recruiting events.
- Evaluate and recommend new or continuing external services and technologies that will advance and support Admissions and Recruiting strategies and activities.
- Lead initiatives that develop student relationships to encourage enrollment in HFC degree and certificate programs that are relevant to their interests, talents, and the job market.
- Develop and implement admissions functions such as admissions processing and communicating with applicants and new students.
- Learn the methods and best practices for using the HFC CRM system (currently Ellucian Recruit). Work directly with team members to make sure activities support College strategic goals and the team is making the best use of the system.
- Represent the College at recruiting and networking activities or conferences that may require travel.
- Collaborate with the K-12 Director and others in the development and maintenance of close working relationships with secondary school, community, industry, and other constituents.
- In collaboration with divisional teammates, lead, supervise, and provide direction in the implementation of a departmental Communications plan or playbook for recruiting and admissions processes.
- Directly undertake student-facing, family-facing, and student-serving admissions and recruiting activities where appropriate. Serve as a backup for team members when needed.
- Develop, monitor, and interpret relevant reports to evaluate and enhance recruiting strategies, yield management, forecasting, and operational efficiency.
- Plan and implement activities to increase application and enrollment growth and meet strategic enrollment goals.
- Ensure timely review of admissions decisions and communications.
- Develop and manage the Admissions and Recruiting office budget.
- Ensure that all team activities adhere to relevant regulations, laws, and policies.
- Other duties as assigned.
Additional Information
Candidates will be required to submit two items as part of their application:
- Cover letter indicating the reasons for your interest in this position, and defining the reasons you would be the best candidate.
- Résumé detailing your qualifications, experience, and credentials that are relevant to this role.
Candidates selected for interviews will be asked to provide:
- A sample tactical recruiting plan addressing one of the two populations listed in HFC’s 2025-2027 strategic plan, Priority 1 (Access). You will find our Strategic Plan and priorities at www.hfcc.edu/strategic-plan.
- A brief prospectus on best practices for using a CRM to optimize recruiting and admissions activities. Specifics on at least 3 recommenced practices will be required.
Finalist candidates will be asked to present their sample recruiting plan to the search committee, along with their ideas for using the CRM most effectively.
While we have attempted to capture the core functional responsibilities in the role, the statements contained in this job announcement reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Therefore, performing additional job-related duties not listed above may be required as assigned. For applicants viewing this ad from an external site, please go to hfcc.edu/jobs to apply.
Apply Now: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/hfcc/jobs/4764764/director-of-admissions-recruiting
