THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS DARTMOUTH

Director of Admissions

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth seeks applications and nominations for the position of Director of Admissions.  Located on the Massachusetts south coast and only a short drive from Cape Cod, Providence and Boston, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth main campus was designed by the eminent architect Paul Rudolf and is located on 710 acres in North Dartmouth. Other university sites include the School for Marine Science and Technology on the waterfront in New Bedford, the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center in Fall River and the Star Store Center for the Arts in New Bedford.

UMass Dartmouth has been ranked among the top northern public universities by U.S. News and World Report.  It offers a broad range of baccalaureate and graduate degrees vital to the economic, social and cultural well-being of the region. It has an enrollment of over 9,000 students in over 40 undergraduate and 30 graduate programs (including 7 at the Ph.D. level) offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Charlton College of Business, the School of Education, Public Policy and Civic Engagement, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing, the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the School for Marine Science and Technology.   Sixty-five percent of the University’s 7900 undergraduate students live on campus, and 85% of the first year class lives on campus.  UMass Dartmouth is a unionized environment.

While retaining its commitment to excellence in undergraduate education, UMass Dartmouth has dramatically increased its research and outreach activities during the past ten years. Revenues from external grants and contracts have tripled to over $20 million in the last ten years, and the University has established centers in Policy Studies, Portuguese Studies & Culture, Marketing Research, University, School and Community Partnerships, the James J. Kaput Center for Research and Innovation in Mathematics Education, the National Botulinum Research Center, the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Institute, and many others to significantly expand its research and public service activities in ways that meet regional needs, but have global impact.

In 2008 the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees approved the creation of a new School of Education, Public Policy and Civic Engagement at UMass Dartmouth. This exciting new school brings together teaching, research and community outreach assets from across the campus to focus on challenges facing our region and Commonwealth.

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and a member of the University’s enrollment management team, the Director will oversee a staff of nine full time professional staff, including eight direct reports.  The unit’s operating budget is $1.5M including personnel.  Ongoing responsibilities include: formulation of admissions standards and enrollment targets; ensuring effective and professional communications with prospects, applicants, their families and counselors; development of electronic databases within the University’s Student Information System; budget management; working with faculty, staff, and administrators to develop marketing strategies and recruitment events,  preparing and presenting to the Chancellor’s cabinet comprehensive reports and data analyses related to admissions trends and demographics.  The Director will oversee the development of annual and longer range enrollment management goals and targets, and will oversee the development of Admissions Office marketing and communication strategies.  Additional responsibilities include developing strategies for enhancement of web-based recruitment and communication initiatives, and participating in cooperative and collaborative relationships with institutions within the University of Massachusetts system and with other public and private institutions within the state.
Minimum educational and experience qualifications are a master’s degree and significant experience reflecting a record of successful progressively responsible positions in admissions that qualify the candidate for a position at the Director level.   Candidates will have direct experience in budget management and enrollment planning and analysis including long range enrollment planning with senior institutional leadership.  Candidates will also demonstrate a record of success in developing and implementing enrollment and marketing plans that produce stronger applicant pools and greater yields.  Exceptional communication skills, including effective writing, public speaking, and persuasive competencies, are also necessary,  as are skills in statistical analysis and the ability to write clear, succinct reports related to admissions trends and demographics. The incumbent will have exceptional skills in the area of marketing and will be particularly proficient in the use of marketing information technology and web-based strategies. Excellent consensus development and team building skills are critical. Finally, the successful candidate will be able to articulate a commitment to access, diversity, and academic quality that is consistent with the expectations of the University community.
Interested individuals should send a letter describing their interest in and qualifications for the position, a resume, and contact information including mailing and email addresses for three references.  References must include a direct supervisor and other professional colleagues who are familiar with and able to speak to the candidate’s experiences and abilities in relation to the qualifications described above.  The packet should be sent electronically (Microsoft Word attachments preferred) to leadership@wspelman.com. The subject line in the email should be DAUMD. Documents that must be mailed should be sent to William Spelman Executive Search at 667 Midship Circle, Webster, NY 14580.

Confidential inquiries will be received at 585.787-9742.  Confidentiality will be maintained, and references will not be contacted without prior knowledge or approval of the candidate. The review date for applications is July 20, 2009.  The process will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer