Director of Admissions

Alaska Pacific University (APU) invites applications for the position of Director of Admissions. Reporting to the Provost, and working collaboratively with other University departments, the Director of Admissions provides leadership to a multifaceted, strategic recruitment with demonstrated teaching or professional experience and desire to work on the development of healthcare-related programs and curriculum to meet the needs of Alaska, with emphasis on the needs of Alaska Native people and rural communities.

The University

APU is a small, private liberal arts university known for experiential and project-based learning. The university campus is in Anchorage, Alaska, a diverse city and home to more than 300,000 residents. APU offers a unique set of bachelors, master’s and doctoral-level degrees, with emphasis on Alaska-critical and globally relevant issues. Focused on competency development and cultural relevancy, the APU curriculum fosters high-level intellectual and practical skills, a wide-ranging knowledge of science, cultures, and society, and an active commitment to personal and social responsibility. APU is an Alaska Native-Serving Institution which seeks to become a Tribal university by honoring Alaska’s Indigenous heritage, exemplifying excellence, and preparing pathways for educational attainment and student success. The University is committed to growing innovative programs that are responsive to the workforce needs of Alaska, as well as growing Alaska Native and Alaskan professionals from within the state.

As a non-profit institution, APU aims to offer highly competitive compensation when considered wholistically, combining a positive work experience with a generous benefit package and fair salary compensation. In living this philosophy, APU engages in evaluation and purposeful investments in:

Quality of work environment

Meaningful work, feedback, and valued contribution

Monetary compensation for time and effort

Benefits that add to quality of life

The right-fit employee for APU is someone who shares the APU values and mission, someone who desires to be part of a small team and work interdependently, someone who works hard but also values time off and a work-life balance, and someone who is looking for a meaningful work experience.

JOB SUMMARY: The Director of Admissions is responsible for increasing the recruitment and enrollment of qualified new students in all of the University’s academic programs, both graduate and undergraduate, so as to meet the goals of the University’s Strategic Plan.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

Strategic Recruitment

Leads strategic planning for the University relating to student recruitment.

Identifies potential markets and programs.

Analyzes past recruiting initiatives and researches admissions, recruitment, and retention trends.

Develops and implements long-term and annual student recruitment plans, including goals, metrics, and methods.

Develops and administers policies and procedures concerning admission to the University

Engages the campus community in discussions about enrollment management, fostering a culture of innovation and inclusion.

Initiates and advances partnerships with Tribal organizations, corporations, community organizations, and other partners to advance enrollment goals and support the strategic goals of the institution.

Admissions Operations and Management

Works directly and collaboratively with the Student Enrollment Service Team (Admissions, Registrar’s Office, Student Financial Services), Dean of Students, Campus Life, and the APU faculty to coordinate and expedite the process of admission and matriculation.

Develops all systems and procedures for the recruitment of students.

Hires, supervises, and trains Admissions Department staff.

Develops and administers the Admissions Department budget.

Coordinates review of undergraduate applications and admission decisions.

Makes Admissions Appeals decisions.

Reviews and approves/denies Application Fee Waiver requests.

Collaborates with Director of Financial Aid in determining the offering of institutional financial aid.

Works with Registrar/Director of Enrollment Technology on implementation and management of student information system and CRM tools Coordinates graduate admissions decisions with graduate program faculty.

Coordinates corporate programs’ admissions decisions with program director.

Coordinates communication among APU academic advisors regarding new advisees.

Ensures that professional and ethical standards are maintained throughout the admissions process.

Marketing, Outreach, and Communication

Supports dissemination of the University’s mission and strategic direction with culturally relevant communications and outreach activities.

Produces and/or approves all admissions-related advertisements, publications, social media, and other content.

Produces, reviews, and updates Admissions Communication Plan and related communications pieces/materials.

Oversees the visual and text content of the University website involved in serving prospective students.

Develops and/or approves all marketing initiatives and materials for academic programs at APU.

Travels, as necessary, to the Lower 48 and within Alaska to represent APU at college fairs and other events.

Makes presentations on the University and its programs to groups and organizations.

University-wide Service

Represents Admissions on other institutional committees such as Coordinating Council and Undergraduate & Graduate Studies

Participates in appropriate Anchorage civic organizations and activities.

Performs other duties as assigned or required.

KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS

Knowledge of policies and procedures related to recruitment, admissions, and selectivity.

Knowledge of active learning and Indigenous education.

Ability to analyze, interpret, and present data to support strategic decision making and planning.

Excellent verbal and written communication.

Attention to detail.

Ability to multitask.

Skill in utilizing a variety of applications and technologies, including student information/enterprise systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop, and InDesign.

Skill in working with diverse constituencies with varying needs.

Skill in communicating effectively with potential students and their families.

Skill in recruiting traditional-age, adult and transfer students for both undergraduate and graduate programs.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATION

Bachelor’s degree required. Graduate degree preferred.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION

Non-Supervisory: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in organizing University admissions; recruitment, publications, advertising, marketing, and planning.

AND

Supervisory: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in organizing and managing University admissions; recruitment, publications, advertising, marketing, planning and team leadership.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Current and valid driver’s license required with ability to pass a driving record check and driving test.

Ability to travel independently. Must be able to travel for up to two weeks at a time on University business. The Director of Admissions may be one of the positions that responds to critical emergency phone coverage for the campus community.

Apply online: https://www.alaskapacific.edu/careers/director-of-admissions/