Director of Admission for Diversity, Access, and Outreach - 502207 at University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia

Job Description:

TO APPLY
NES is assisting the University of Richmond with the search for a Director of Admission for Diversity, Access, and Outreach. To arrange for a confidential conversation or to nominate someone for this position, please contact Suzi Nam (suzi.nam@nessearches.com), Laura Robinson (laura.robinson@nessearches.com) or Mary Napier (mary.napier@nessearches.com). To apply, send 1) a resume, 2) a detailed letter of interest regarding your interest in the University of Richmond, and 3) contact information for three professional references by email to: richmond@nessearches.com. The search will remain open until the position is filled and resumes will be reviewed beginning January 30, 2025. The expected start date will be early summer, 2025. All applications and nominations will be considered confidential, and notice will be given before references are contacted.

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The University of Richmond invites nominations and applications for a Director of Admission for Diversity, Access, and Outreach, a key member of the senior leadership team, and one of three Directors of Admission. Reporting to, and in partnership with, the Associate Vice President and Dean of Admission, the Directors lead the admission team in strategic planning and in developing and executing strategies and tactics to recruit and enroll talented students from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences in support of the overall mission, values, and enrollment goals of the University. The Director of Admission for Diversity, Access, and Outreach provides direction for student recruitment and outreach, which includes recruitment travel, community-based and school network partnerships, and school counselor, campus partner and alumni volunteer engagement.

The Director will provide vision, leadership, and management of professional development efforts for the admission team as part of a commitment to strengthening future enrollment leaders. As part of the Admission senior leadership team, the Director of Admission for Access, and Diversity, and Outreach is charged with providing leadership and contributing to strategic direction as part of a progressive and highly collaborative team. As the University seeks to build on the momentum of recent years, the Director will play an important role in strengthening the University's standing among the nation's leading institutions by continuing to shape the application pool, improve diversity and academic quality, enroll students who will engage in the rich experiences available at Richmond, and expand awareness of the University nationally and internationally.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The University seeks a leader with an established record of success in admission and enrollment management, specifically with the recruitment and retention of historically underrepresented students, While there is an opportunity to shape some of the functions of this position based on the desired candidate's skills and experience, the Director must possess extensive experience in undergraduate admission, have the demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted and valuable advisor to colleagues, and bring a deep commitment to access, affordability, and inclusivity. The essential duties and responsibilities of the Director of Admission for Diversity, Access, and Outreach are as follows:

Department Management

• Promote a professional and healthy work environment through managing, leading, developing, mentoring, and inspiring staff to work as a collaborative, highly productive, goal-oriented, data-driven team.
• Lead the development and implementation of professional development and mentoring opportunities for staff.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and execution of annual planning, using the latest technology and research, to enroll a class that meets the University's enrollment expectations.
• Assist with evaluation and active recommendations on admission policies related to the admission review and selection process.
• Form and oversee various Admission Working Groups as necessary.
• Interpret, communicate, and apply admission policies, guidelines, and procedures, and implement new policies in collaboration with the Admission Leadership team.
• Manage budget and financial planning, including in-depth analysis of historical budget trends and forecasting, for assigned programs and assist with overseeing various aspects of the office's overall operational budget.
• Manage the budgetary, legal, and internal approval process for Community-based and high school partnership memorandums of understanding.

Diversity and Outreach Recruitment

• Provide vision, leadership, and direction for student recruitment and for the overall management of the University's community-based organization and high school partnerships, including annual reporting and recommendations for new partnership, renewals, and discontinuations.
• Oversee and direct on- and off-campus programs for the recruitment of underrepresented student populations including domestic students of color, first generation college students, limited income students, and other populations historically underrepresented at selective universities.
• Manage diversity outreach program budget and ensure the effective allocation of resources to maximize return on investment.
• Represent the University at national and regional conferences, meetings, and workshops, both on- and off-campus, when needed.
• Lead the Office of Admission support and collaborative work with SCEI to assist with the identification and recruitment of candidates for the Oliver Hill Scholars Program
• Oversee and manage the creation, organization, processing, and annual review of memos of understanding and other similar contractual agreements with external partners.
• Establish and cultivate relationships with school and community-based organization counselors around the country and abroad, and within the Director's specific recruiting territory.

Relationship and Staff Development

• Direct counselor outreach strategy and implementation of programs and initiatives to engage counselors as partners in recruitment and enrollment processes.
• Oversee the management of alumni engagement through alumni volunteer programs which support the enrollment goals of the Office of Admission.
• Represent the Office of Admission as a member of the University's DEIB Community of Practice
• Lead ongoing staff development initiatives and oversee implementation of programming and opportunities to support continued professional development.
• Serve on various University committees and working groups.
• Work collaboratively with members of the enrollment management division and other campus constituents to address various policy and operational issues.

Strategic Planning

• As part of the Admission Senior Leadership team, regularly review and innovate changes that maximize the talents and capacities of the Admission team in support of the University's mission and goals.
• In collaboration with the AVP and Dean and the Director of Admission Recruitment and Marketing, play a key role in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive marketing strategy.
• Collect, analyze, and report on survey data to inform admission practices.
• Coordinate all data analysis and activities related to recruitment and admission of talented underrepresented students including first generation students, domestic students of color, students from families with limited incomes, and other populations which are underrepresented at selective liberal arts institutions.
• Chair the Student Outreach Working Group and Co-chair the Prospect Management Working Group, which study data and macro-level institutional and industry trends to inform strategic and tactical recommendations related to business operations and student recruitment plans.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES
This role requires eight or more years of progressive experience working in college admission and/or within enrollment management, including at least five years of supervisory experience. A bachelor's degree is required, however a master's degree is strongly preferred. In addition, the ideal candidate will also possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge

• A thorough understanding of and appreciation for the highly-selective, private college admission process, the strengths of an undergraduate liberal arts experience, and the value of a diverse community;
• Demonstrated deep understanding of national trends and issues in higher education and college admission;
• Proven success in leading successful admission office(s) including individual and team development, student recruitment campaigns, enrollment planning, demographics, travel strategies, marketing strategies, communications, and admission office operations;
• Mastery of strategic data tools and predictive modeling, with the ability to use these tools to assess, evaluate, and validate decisions;
• An analytical and collaborative approach to problem-solving;
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in a selective admission system, including understanding and developing frameworks for equitable evaluation;
• Familiarity with software platforms such as relational database systems; extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and student information and application systems such as Banner and Slate; and
• A thorough understanding of strategic data tools, predictive modeling, and other complex data techniques.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and persuasive oral communication skills, including excellent public speaking skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and compellingly in both individual and group settings; fluency or proficiency in a second language is preferred;
• Strong project and resource management abilities and able to creatively manage budgets.
• Even-keeled and positive temperament with impeccable integrity, appropriate transparency, excellent judgment;
• Exceptional work ethic, excellent organizational and delegation skills to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and handle highly confidential information;
• Able to develop and communicate a compelling vision and execute actionable, cutting edge, and creative actions toward that vision;
• Strength in statistical research and analytical capacity; strong data acumen and the ability to use data to understand issues and develop effective strategies;
• Demonstrated and active commitment to advancing diversity, inclusivity, and belonging;
• Advanced problem-solving capabilities and an innovative, collaborative, and positive attitude; and
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively with various internal and external constituencies.

Abilities

• Competence to clearly and compellingly articulate the strengths of a liberal arts education and residential university experience, particularly to those who are not familiar with this model;
• Proven success in implementing prospect management strategies and tactics;
• Deep commitment to collaboration and collegiality; demonstrated ability to work collaboratively yet independently with internal and external constituencies;
• Demonstrated ability to provide a thoughtful, positive and inspirational leadership approach that develops, motivates and inspires a team toward a common goal through collaborative and inclusive practices;
• Exceptional organizational, and management skills; highly self-motivated critical thinker with advanced problem-solving abilities and creativity;
• Practical application of recruitment and review technology, data applications, and other various software and web applications;
• Proven ability to work with diverse constituencies, both on and off campus; ability to serve as an ambassador for the University and to engage effectively with prospective students and families, current students and families, high school counselors, faculty, staff, alumni, and external audiences on behalf of the institution;
• Capable of effectively leading, training, developing, inspiring and developing staff.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks concurrently coupled with excellent organizational skills with highest standards for accuracy;
• Adept in handling highly confidential information; and
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting access to selective university admission for historically underserved student populations and appreciation for the contributions of these students.

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
OVERVIEW
The University of Richmond is a top twenty-five ranked National Liberal Arts College which is also home to a highly rated undergraduate business school and the first undergraduate school of leadership studies in the nation, in addition to a highly regarded school of law and a school of professional and continuing studies. Richmond offers both the close-knit community of a small college and opportunities that rival those of larger institutions, including Division I athletics, financial support for study abroad, internships, and summer research, and the nation's only Spider mascot. The university is highly residential and committed to the success of undergraduate students, evidenced by its commitment to meeting the full demonstrated financial need for all undergraduate students.

Richmond's learning and research environment is grounded in the liberal arts and enriched by its distinctive array of schools, with a singular integration of learning and scholarship across campus. It is defined by a culture of interdisciplinary connections, mentorship, collaboration, and creativity, guaranteeing students close interaction with faculty and the ability to shape their academic experience. Consistently recognized among the nation's most beautiful campuses, Richmond offers outstanding academic and residential facilities. While there is no on-campus housing requirement, over 90% of students will live on campus all four years.

ENROLLMENT
Richmond enrolls approximately 3,300 traditional undergraduate students in the School of Arts and Sciences, Robins School of Business, and Jepson School of Leadership Studies, as well as over 600 students in the School of Law (JD and LLM), School of Professional and Continuing Studies (graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs) and Robins School of Business (MBA and MScM). Richmond enrolls approximately 830 first-year and 75 new undergraduate transfer students annually. The undergraduate student body currently represents 44 U.S. states and 72 countries. Retention and graduation rates are excellent for students from all backgrounds.

The University has more than doubled undergraduate applications since fall 2007 from approximately 6,650 to over 16,000. During that time, domestic students of color in the first-year class have grown from 11 percent to as high as 29 percent, and the percentage of Pell-eligible students has grown from 9 percent to as high as 18 percent, while average SATs and high school GPAs for incoming classes have also increased.

The University is committed to access and affordability, is need-blind in admission for domestic undergraduate students, and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all traditional undergraduates. It is one of only approximately 80 institutions in the country that is both need-blind and meets full need. The Richmond Guarantee guarantees each undergraduate student up to $5,000 to participate in a faculty-mentored research project or an unpaid or underpaid internship.

ACADEMIC LIFE
Richmond's faculty members exemplify the teacher-scholar model and are dedicated mentors to students. Personal engagement of students with experienced, committed faculty is an institutional hallmark. The undergraduate student-faculty ratio is 7-to-1. Students participate in collaborative research and other creative activity with faculty during, and in some cases prior to, their formal matriculation on campus. In recent years, students have received prestigious honors and awards, including Marshall, Goldwater, Truman, and Fulbright scholarships. The University has been named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students for six consecutive years.

The University offers 82 undergraduate majors and minors as well as concentrations. With more than 79 study abroad partnerships in 35 countries, the University emphasizes the importance of international experiences and was recently recognized in the Open Doors report as #1 for study abroad participation among baccalaureate colleges. Through the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, home of one of the nation's largest Bonner Scholars programs, students, faculty, and staff partner with local organizations, bringing life to learning and building the capacity of organizations in the region.

CENTER FOR EQUITY AND INCLUSION
The Student Center for Equity and Inclusion strives to remove barriers and contribute to the community practice of belonging for University of Richmond students and to cultivate inclusive communities and empower students to be affirmed in their identities and the ways they intersect. SCEI and the University support First-Generation and Limited Income (SpiderFLI), LGBTQ+, and Multicultural students by providing avenues to build community, exploring identity, and developing skills that encourage them to flourish at the University of Richmond and beyond. The Office of Admission has a strong and collaborative relationship with SCEI and joins their efforts to promote social justice, cross-cultural dialogue, and awareness of systemic inequity.

CAMPUS AND FACILITIES
The University moved to the current 350-acre campus, located seven miles from downtown Richmond, in 1915. Designed by Ralph Adams Cram (architect of the US Military Academy, New York's Trinity Church, and Princeton University) in his signature Collegiate Gothic style, Richmond is consistently recognized among the nation's most beautiful campuses.

Major capital improvements to the campus in recent years have included the Queally Center for Admission and Career Services, significant renovations to performing and visual arts facilities, updates of existing campus student residences, and a state-of-the art Well-Being Center. The University of Richmond is currently expanding the library and Weinstein Learning Center, a state-of-the art intellectual gathering space which supports students at every stage of their academic journey. In addition, the University is completing a permanent Burying Ground Memorial to honor those enslaved and laid to rest on this property.

The University of Richmond is recognized for a commitment to sustainability. GHG emissions have been reduced by more than 50 percent, while 100 percent of electricity usage is matched with renewable sources. There are 17 certified green buildings on campus, an eco-corridor, pollinator meadow, and solar array.

For further information about the University of Richmond, see https://www.richmond.edu/.

LOCATION
Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is host to a number of federal and state agencies, a dynamic biotech research center, a highly respected teaching hospital, a Federal Reserve Bank, two of the nation's top 100 law firms, and five Fortune 500 companies. The metropolitan population is 1.151 million, and Richmond's neighborhoods showcase a diversity of settings, building styles, and demographics. The campus location in the west end provides options for urban, suburban, or rural residential lifestyles within a few easily commutable miles of campus.

The city has a strong network of public and private schools both within and outside the city limits and is home to seven colleges and universities as well as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Richmond Symphony, the Virginia Opera, the Richmond Ballet, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, and the Flying Squirrels, a Double-A San Francisco Giants affiliate baseball team. The James River runs through the center of the city and offers white-water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing. The city and surrounding area have a great local food scene, with some 900 restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines, plus many microbreweries, distilleries, and wineries. The city of Richmond is frequently recognized for business opportunities, lifestyle, creativity and livability: www.grpva.com/why-richmond-region/rankings/.

Richmond is situated 90 miles south of Washington, D.C., and less than a two hour drive to an array of outdoor recreational opportunities including, to the east, the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay and, to the west, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, Appalachian Trail, and New River Gorge. For more information about Richmond and the surrounding area, visit www.visitrichmondva.com/ and www.grcc.com.


TO APPLY
NES is assisting the University of Richmond with the search for a Director of Admission for Diversity, Access, and Outreach. To arrange for a confidential conversation or to nominate someone for this position, please contact Suzi Nam (suzi.nam@nessearches.com), Laura Robinson (laura.robinson@nessearches.com) or Mary Napier (mary.napier@nessearches.com). To apply, send 1) a resume, 2) a detailed letter of interest regarding your interest in the University of Richmond, and 3) contact information for three professional references by email to: richmond@nessearches.com. The search will remain open until the position is filled and resumes will be reviewed beginning January 30, 2025. The expected start date will be early summer, 2025. All applications and nominations will be considered confidential, and notice will be given before references are contacted.

The University of Richmond is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff, and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development, and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, our academic community strongly encourages applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. Apply Now