Department: Undergraduate Admission
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary:

As a member of our Admissions Outreach and Access Team, this role will lead rural student recruitment efforts, developing and executing an annual rural-student recruitment plan; liaising with partner institutions in and beyond the STARS College Network as well as internal and external stakeholders seeking to support college access for rural students; hiring and supervising an undergraduate student team with a rural-outreach focus; and leading the full Admissions team in rural-student outreach and selection strategy. Serving as a senior member of a regional admissions team, you will also oversee recruitment strategy and file review in a domestic territory, manage a team of application readers for that region, and provide nuanced counseling to students, families, and college advisors/counselors. You will join a collaborative, student-centered staff who celebrate innovative approaches in higher ed, and who find joy and pride in admissions work.

Please note: Some evening and weekend work required. 4-6 weeks annual travel by car, rail, and/or airplane. May need to lift and carry boxes of recruitment materials up to 30 pounds.

Specific Responsibilities:

• As a senior member of a regional team, manages a geographic admissions territory within the United States; develops recruitment strategy and designs fall recruitment plan to meet University enrollment goals and University strategic plan.
• Coordinates and executes 4-5 weeks of regional recruitment activities annually, visiting high schools, conducting information sessions, leading digital panels, etc.
• Delegates and manages recruitment activities of other admission officers on the regional team.
• Builds and maintains productive relationships with college counselors and community-based organizations in support of recruitment initiatives.
• Tracks, evaluates, and reports relevant recruitment statistics.
• Leads on-campus information sessions as on-duty director in visitors center on rotational basis.
• Answers student/family queries by phone, email, and in person.
• Oversees the evaluation of over 3,000 applications per year.
• Trains and manages other readers on the team.
• As member of Admissions Outreach and Access Team, liaise with partner institutions in and beyond the STARS College Network as well as internal and external stakeholders seeking to support college access for rural and small-town students.
• Manage strategy and execution of all rural-student outreach efforts, including data assessment and maintenance; audience growth and engagement; digital and in-person program planning; relationship-building with high school and CBO counselors; rural and small-town travel strategy/planning; and yield programming for rural students.
• Hire and supervise an undergraduate student team focused on rural recruitment.
• Lead Admissions team in rural-student recruitment and selection strategies.
• Support QuestBridge partnership efforts, including recruitment, programming, prospective student support, and selection.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in college admissions/recruiting.
• Experience in administration, project management, customer service, public relations, supervision, and/or event coordination.
• Valid driver's license.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills.
• Strong speaking/communication skills and ability to speak effectively before audiences of up to 500 or more.
• Ability to work effectively with time and volume pressures. Must be able to meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate with diverse Northwestern community including admission staff, students/families, and alumni.
• Ability to meet department and university goals.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours including evening and weekends.
• Requires independent judgement, discretion, and diplomacy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's degree or higher.
• Background in highly selective college admissions.
• Familiarity with Northwestern.
• Database or CRM management.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies and software.
• Event planning experience.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of Slate CRM.
• Creative, innovative, and highly organized.
• Commitment to college access and inclusion.
• Collaborative spirit and sense of humor.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and/or experience working with rural and first-gen student communities.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $75,000-$81,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.