Minimum qualifications

A bachelor’s degree and 8+ years of professional experience;

Prior experience in admissions, in a public policy school or other academic institution with similar characteristics;

Demonstrated understanding of comprehensive schools of public affairs with multiple graduate degree programs and global reach;

Proven effectiveness in recruiting and enrolling diverse students;

Proven success managing a department and supervising cross-interdisciplinary individuals/teams.

Preferred qualifications

Master’s degree and/or Ph.D. in Management, Public Affairs or Public Policy, Higher Ed Administration, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management or other relevant area;

Certification and/or leadership within relevant organizations such as the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM), the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP), etc.

Position Overview

The Director of Admissions oversees all recruitment, admissions and financial aid functions for the Humphrey School of Public Affairs' master's degree and certificate programs. The Director is responsible for strategic planning, budget management, and leading the strategy, selection, and disbursement of financial aid dollars. The incumbent will provide complex data and analysis to the School’s Leadership Team. They will also develop/administer partnerships within the University, as well as nationally and internationally. This role supervises two staff and a graduate assistant.

Primary Responsibilities

Administrative management of products, functions, and initiatives

Establish a strategic recruitment, enrollment, and financial aid plan, in coordination with the Dean and Assistant Dean;

Attend internal and external meetings as chief admissions officer of the School to advance the strategic plan of the admissions office;

Provide data-driven leadership, to include the development of key reporting (e.g., admissions projections and yield, accreditation) and dissemination to key stakeholder groups;

Coordinate and develop all admissions-related communication tools (e.g., materials, website, application), negotiating and developing contracts as necessary with designers/firms.

Staff management

Supervise two staff members and a graduate assistant, who execute the majority of daily office functions;

Provide ongoing management and development of professional staff;

Administer annual performance reviews and ongoing assessment of work.

Recruitment management and relationship development

Conduct annual/ongoing assessment of current and past recruitment practices, and create a strategic plan for recruitment and relationship development;

Attend recruitment events locally, regionally, nationally (especially in the fall months);

Partner with internal and external constituents to increase success of recruitment objectives;

Identify, grow, and develop relationships with faculty and staff at peer schools, and attend professional association meetings.

Application review and committee management

Review all applications received annually (typically 550+);

Serve as primary decision-maker on graduate applications and/or facilitate committee-based decisions (based on program);

Serve on PhD admissions committee;

Manage the scholarship ranking process and corresponding committee.

Financial aid strategy and awarding to incoming students

Provide an annual, strategic, data-driven scholarship awarding plan to the Dean and Director of Finance;

Manage the awarding process (e.g., selection of recipients, determination of award amounts, disbursement, budgeting, re-awarding, and negotiations), utilizing the University’s STAR system (Scholarship Tracking and Reporting);

Oversee the placement of aid recipients into assistantship positions;

Direct the daily administration of financial aid processes and work directly with aid recipients.

Partnership development and administration

Collaborate internally (UMN) and externally to create, develop, and maintain official and unofficial partnerships;

Oversee and manage international partnerships with MOU partners;

Propose conference sessions to increase passive reach of the School and to provide professional development opportunities.

Leadership of the Humphrey Junior Summer Institute

Set vision, mission, goals, outcomes, schedule, and evaluation for the Junior Summer Institute (JSI);

Oversee JSI logistics, e.g., housing and room reservations, meals, field trips, etc.;

Develop and manage JSI budget;

Recruit JSI faculty, in conjunction with Associate Dean;

Manage recruitment of 20-22 JSI Fellows (which entails the review of 150+ applications);

Serve as mentor and liaison with JSI fellows, building and nurturing strong relationships.

The Humphrey School of Public Affairs is committed to academic excellence and diversity in every facet of its work, and in its mission: to educate, engage, and equip leaders and communities to discover solutions that advance the common good in our diverse world. The School is ranked in the top 5% nationally of U.S. based schools of public affairs, is NASPAA-accredited, and known for its research and public engagement in local, state, national, and international policy spheres.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu