Senior Assistant or Associate Director of Enrollment Communications

Job Title:Senior Assistant or Associate Director of Enrollment Communications
Department:Admissions
Classification:Exempt
Grade:11 or 12 (Depending on qualifications)
FTE/Working Schedule:1.0 FTE (40 hours/week)

Position Overview:

The Senior Assistant Director of Enrollment Communications develops and implements Carleton’s communications goals by working closely with divisional and the Office of Communications’ partners to design, build, and execute a unified communications strategy for Admissions and Financial Aid. 

In directly and/or indirectly supervising staff on the Communications team in the Admissions Office, the Senior Assistant Director of Enrollment Communications collaborates with divisional leadership and critical campus partners to direct and actively measure a comprehensive, forward-thinking integrated communications plan to support the college in its outreach, recruitment, and onboarding of a bright, highly engaged, and diverse students throughout every stage of the enrollment cycle.

Compensation:

TheGrade 11 expected starting salary range for this position is between $68,000 and $70,300. TheGrade 12 expected starting salary range for this position is between $77,300 and $79,900. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:

• Has primary responsibility for and develops the overall strategy for communications in order to deliver admissions content and design in print and digital media. This person will:
  • Develops creative content, and plans test, and delivers personalized print and digital campaigns to prospects, inquiries, applicants, admits, enrolling students, other influential constituencies (parents, counselors, etc) and ensures its proper execution and timely delivery
  • Manages design, development, and communications for all materials related to the admissions decision process, from first source through matriculation
  • Fully leverages Slate CRM to develop, execute, and measure innovative communications, including via self-built configurable join queries  and reports
  • Liaise with the college’s Office of Communications to align admissions- and financial aid-specific communications with collegewide communications and branding guidance
  • Partners with relevant Admissions and Financial Aid teams to design and deliver program-specific communications and website support
  • Sets and oversees the operating budget for print and digital media
  • Maintains practice and cadence of on-campus and remote inventory practices, directing staff as appropriate
  • Ensures ongoing alignment of messaging in print, email, and website communications
  • Measures effectiveness of communication plan and works with divisional and campus leadership to propose changes
• Coordinates and/or leads divisional efforts to respond to external surveys, benchmarking initiatives, and other data requests from key higher education partners and organizations, ensuring accurate reporting, messaging alignment with institutional priorities

• Serves as a model colleague and mentor for staff, providing the guidance that helps them understand and manage their time to support the timely completion of projects

• Creates and encourages a professionally engaged, welcoming, and inclusive environment in admissions that actively supports prospective students and their families to appreciate Carleton’s academic and cultural life and deep tradition in the liberal arts.
• Represents the College to external agencies and groups, including attending regional, national, and international conferences and meetings to maintain the College’s visibility.
• Coordinates special projects/tasks and/or directs divisional programming events, in consultation with the Senior Associate Dean & Director of Admissions or other senior members of the staff.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Reports to the Senior Associate Dean and Director of Admissions. In consultation with the Vice President and Dean and Senior Associate Dean and Director of Admissions, devises strategies for effective communications and development using a robust database and CRM. Will have oversight of communications budget.
• Supervises the following:
  • Relevant paid student employees, including the overseeing and training of the Student Bloggers cohort
• Associate Director level - Supervises the Administrative Assistant for Communications & International Recruitment and set priorities and direction for members of Communications team, including the professional staff and relevant specialist student employees

Education/Experience/Skills:

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• A valid driver’s license and ability to travel domestically.
• Grade 11 Senior Assistant Director level – four to six years of progressively responsible full-time professional experience in higher education communications and/or admissions with a focus on print/digital content execution and CRM system workflows
• Grade 12 Associate Director level – six to seven years progressively responsible full-time professional experience in admissions, with demonstrable leadership of integrated communications planning, budget management, and supervision
• Strong understanding of the nature and aims of a selective, residential liberal arts college.
• Proven experience with communications data analysis, and a commitment to growing skills in this area to align with emerging industry standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Enthusiasm for and demonstrated commitment to supporting a student body that is broadly diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and religion, among other factors.
• Commitment to all communications and assessment functionality in Slate CRM, with demonstrable work in Query, Reports, and other relevant modules.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate complex issues with clarity.
• Evidence of creativity and innovation in problem solving and strategy implementation, and a willingness to work towards outcomes that bridge internal and external needs
• Strong organizational and project management skills, and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• An understanding that extended and weekend hours during certain periods is necessary.
• Leadership skills: Highly collaborative, detail-oriented, accountable, dynamic, empathetic, patient, and fun.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of WordPress or equivalent CMS.
• Knowledge of HTML.
• Prior experience with Technolutions Slate
• Familiarity with trends and best practices in higher education marketing.

Must have the ability to understand and follow written and oral work instructions, operations, safety procedures, and hazardous labels. 

Note:This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. 

Review of applicationsbegins immediately and continues until the hire is complete.We accept only online applications.

Carleton College is an AA/EEO Employer: We are committed to developing our staff to better reflect the diversity of our student body and American society. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Carleton also offers a robust suite of benefits including: A generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution. Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. Paid time-off, including 25 annual leave days, 8 paid holidays, and extra days at the end of the calendar year to make a continuous week off before New Year’s. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees. A dependent tuition program after six years of service.

Founded in 1866,Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Carleton College occupies more than 1,000 scenic acres of campus, arboretum, over 100 campus buildings, and athletic fields. Located 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Carleton offers access to the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area.