Lead Admissions Specialist
University of Rochester, New York, NY, United States
As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.
Job Location (Full Address):
220 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627
Opening:
Worker Subtype:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Department:
200210 Admissions
Work Shift:
UR - Day (United States of America)
Range:
UR URG 111
Compensation Range:
$63,815.00 - $95,723.00
The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Vice Provost for Enrollment Strategy & Operations, the Director of Master's Admissions serves as the University's senior leader responsible for coordinating and advancing strategy, recruitment, and admissions operations for master's programs across the University. This role leads the transition toward a more coordinated, University-wide approach to master's recruitment and admissions, aligning institutional enrollment and revenue goals with program level recruitment strategies and operational practices. The Director establishes frameworks, processes, and partnerships to support scalable and sustainable growth in master's enrollment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Lead University-Wide Master's Enrollment Strategy
Coordinate and advance recruitment and outreach efforts that support growth in revenue-generating master's programs.
Provide strategic oversight of the full master's recruitment and enrollment funnel-from lead generation to yield-aligning marketing, outreach, admissions, and recruitment initiatives to support institutional enrollment goals
Lead the planning and coordination of a portfolio of on-campus recruitment and yield events-including open houses, campus tours, and admitted student programs
Develop and coordinate a strategic approach to recruitment travel across schools, working with admissions staff to align outreach efforts, maximize institutional representation at key recruitment events, and promote the University's master's programs through shared recruitment activities.
Develop and manage university-wide prospective student communication strategies, including drip campaigns that nurture and engage early-stage prospects highlighting the breadth of graduate opportunities and resources at the University.
Coordinate with Director of International Admissions and Global engagement on international recruitment and partnership strategies.
Serve as the primary point of contact for schools on revenuegenerating master's enrollment, providing guidance and leadership as the University transitions to a centralized model.
Translate central enrollment strategy into clear expectations, practical support, and actionable timelines for school-based admissions teams.
Serve as primary functional liaison for master's marketing to University Stakeholders, including Marketing, Deans and GEPA Offices, Institutional research, Finance
Manage Master's Admissions Operations
Partner with school admissions teams to begin cross-program coordination of day-to-day admissions processing.
Align operations with the Slate Modernization Project, in coordination with the Director of Admissions Systems to research and document existing processes, identify opportunities, and guide the development of centralized graduate admissions operations, including Application processing workflows, Funnel definitions and statuses, Reporting standards.
Develop Data & Performance Analytics: in partnership with ESO leaders and data analyst, coordinate and communicate data dashboards on: Application growth, Conversion rates, Time-todecision, Diversity metrics, Net tuition revenue/average discount rate
Conduct post-cycle reviews and improvement planning
Enrollment Planning & Target Setting
Set enrollment targets in collaboration with Deans/GEPA Offices.
Monitor pipeline health across all master's programs.
Co-lead monthly enrollment strategy meetings.
Lead master's-focused pipeline strategies for revenue-generating programs
Manage internal pipeline programs that encourage current University undergraduates to pursue master's degrees, including 4+1 initiatives such as:
Hajim's Masters Early Admissions Pathway (MS-EAP)
Graduate Engineering at Rochester (GEAR)
URAMP
Post-Bac
REU Programs
Provide strategic direction for regional articulation agreements, identifying opportunities for master's programs to participate and working closely with the Vice Provost for Academic Planning and Policy to facilitate institutional partnerships
Coordinate with Director of International Admission on master's recruitment strategies and partnerships - including agents and in country reps
Develop and implement a coordinated University-wide process to convert qualified PhD applicants who are denied admission into master's applicant pipelines across schools
Build partnerships with primarily undergraduate institutions for guaranteed pathways to and discounts for master's programs.
Represent the University in outreach to potential partner institutions and organizations
Build and Cultivate Central Master's Admissions Team
Lead the development of a central team focused on master's recruitment and admissions
Hiring and supervising staff supporting centralized recruitment and admissions activities
Defining roles and responsibilities within the emerging master's enrollment team
Building professionalized enrollment practices that combine program expertise with scalable institutional processes
Leadership of Central Master's Admissions Team
Responsible for aligning existing school-based efforts with new overarching initiatives
Minimize fragmentation, duplication and uncoordinated outreach across schools; prevent competition, dissonance, and/or "bidding wars" for prospective students.
Ensure recruitment activity is data-informed and aligned with both institutional and school goals.
Standardize admissions timelines, where appropriate
Coordinate scholarship/discounting strategy across programs
Ensure consistent messaging and brand positioning
Reduce internal competition between programs
Portfolio Strategy & Market Positioning
Develop a 3-5-year master's enrollment growth strategy.
Conduct market analysis and competitor benchmarking.
Recommend new program launches, modality shifts, and sunset decisions.
Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience required
Master's degree preferred
5 years of experience in enrollment management, admissions, or related fields required.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
DL NUMBER - Driver License, Valid and in State upon hire required
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University's Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create - and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.
Job Location (Full Address):
220 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627
Opening:
Worker Subtype:
Regular
Time Type:
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Department:
200210 Admissions
Work Shift:
UR - Day (United States of America)
Range:
UR URG 111
Compensation Range:
$63,815.00 - $95,723.00
The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Vice Provost for Enrollment Strategy & Operations, the Director of Master's Admissions serves as the University's senior leader responsible for coordinating and advancing strategy, recruitment, and admissions operations for master's programs across the University. This role leads the transition toward a more coordinated, University-wide approach to master's recruitment and admissions, aligning institutional enrollment and revenue goals with program level recruitment strategies and operational practices. The Director establishes frameworks, processes, and partnerships to support scalable and sustainable growth in master's enrollment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Lead University-Wide Master's Enrollment Strategy
Coordinate and advance recruitment and outreach efforts that support growth in revenue-generating master's programs.
Provide strategic oversight of the full master's recruitment and enrollment funnel-from lead generation to yield-aligning marketing, outreach, admissions, and recruitment initiatives to support institutional enrollment goals
Lead the planning and coordination of a portfolio of on-campus recruitment and yield events-including open houses, campus tours, and admitted student programs
Develop and coordinate a strategic approach to recruitment travel across schools, working with admissions staff to align outreach efforts, maximize institutional representation at key recruitment events, and promote the University's master's programs through shared recruitment activities.
Develop and manage university-wide prospective student communication strategies, including drip campaigns that nurture and engage early-stage prospects highlighting the breadth of graduate opportunities and resources at the University.
Coordinate with Director of International Admissions and Global engagement on international recruitment and partnership strategies.
Serve as the primary point of contact for schools on revenuegenerating master's enrollment, providing guidance and leadership as the University transitions to a centralized model.
Translate central enrollment strategy into clear expectations, practical support, and actionable timelines for school-based admissions teams.
Serve as primary functional liaison for master's marketing to University Stakeholders, including Marketing, Deans and GEPA Offices, Institutional research, Finance
Manage Master's Admissions Operations
Partner with school admissions teams to begin cross-program coordination of day-to-day admissions processing.
Align operations with the Slate Modernization Project, in coordination with the Director of Admissions Systems to research and document existing processes, identify opportunities, and guide the development of centralized graduate admissions operations, including Application processing workflows, Funnel definitions and statuses, Reporting standards.
Develop Data & Performance Analytics: in partnership with ESO leaders and data analyst, coordinate and communicate data dashboards on: Application growth, Conversion rates, Time-todecision, Diversity metrics, Net tuition revenue/average discount rate
Conduct post-cycle reviews and improvement planning
Enrollment Planning & Target Setting
Set enrollment targets in collaboration with Deans/GEPA Offices.
Monitor pipeline health across all master's programs.
Co-lead monthly enrollment strategy meetings.
Lead master's-focused pipeline strategies for revenue-generating programs
Manage internal pipeline programs that encourage current University undergraduates to pursue master's degrees, including 4+1 initiatives such as:
Hajim's Masters Early Admissions Pathway (MS-EAP)
Graduate Engineering at Rochester (GEAR)
URAMP
Post-Bac
REU Programs
Provide strategic direction for regional articulation agreements, identifying opportunities for master's programs to participate and working closely with the Vice Provost for Academic Planning and Policy to facilitate institutional partnerships
Coordinate with Director of International Admission on master's recruitment strategies and partnerships - including agents and in country reps
Develop and implement a coordinated University-wide process to convert qualified PhD applicants who are denied admission into master's applicant pipelines across schools
Build partnerships with primarily undergraduate institutions for guaranteed pathways to and discounts for master's programs.
Represent the University in outreach to potential partner institutions and organizations
Build and Cultivate Central Master's Admissions Team
Lead the development of a central team focused on master's recruitment and admissions
Hiring and supervising staff supporting centralized recruitment and admissions activities
Defining roles and responsibilities within the emerging master's enrollment team
Building professionalized enrollment practices that combine program expertise with scalable institutional processes
Leadership of Central Master's Admissions Team
Responsible for aligning existing school-based efforts with new overarching initiatives
Minimize fragmentation, duplication and uncoordinated outreach across schools; prevent competition, dissonance, and/or "bidding wars" for prospective students.
Ensure recruitment activity is data-informed and aligned with both institutional and school goals.
Standardize admissions timelines, where appropriate
Coordinate scholarship/discounting strategy across programs
Ensure consistent messaging and brand positioning
Reduce internal competition between programs
Portfolio Strategy & Market Positioning
Develop a 3-5-year master's enrollment growth strategy.
Conduct market analysis and competitor benchmarking.
Recommend new program launches, modality shifts, and sunset decisions.
Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience required
Master's degree preferred
5 years of experience in enrollment management, admissions, or related fields required.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
DL NUMBER - Driver License, Valid and in State upon hire required
The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University's Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create - and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.