Pacifica Graduate Institute is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by nondiscrimination policy.
SUMMARY :
The Senior Director of Admissions (SDOA) plays an essential leadership role in shaping and guiding a student-centered admissions experience aligned with the mission and values of Pacifica Graduate Institute, a premier institution focused on depth psychology. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Strategic Enrollment and Student Success (VPOSESS), the SDOA will create an enrollment strategy that includes an action plan to achieve strategic goals while overseeing the Admissions department, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience for prospective students while driving data-informed enrollment strategies.
The SDOA will lead the admissions and outreach team, foster cross-departmental collaboration with stakeholders across campus, develop and implement innovative strategies to enhance recruitment, enrollment, and student engagement. The SDOA must bring strong management expertise, a keen eye for analyzing enrollment data and market dynamics, and the talent for building relationships that inspire confidence and contribute to the institute’s sustained enrollment success.
Examples of Duties : ESSENTIAL DUTIES :
Strategic Leadership and Operations
- Develop and execute a comprehensive admissions strategy aligned with institutional goals.
- Analyze enrollment marketing trends and prospective student behaviors to refine recruitment strategies and improve conversion rates.
- Provides leadership, training, and mentorship to the admissions team.
- Establish clear expectations and accountability standards for assigned staff as it relates to strategic enrollment and service goals.
- Partner with the VPOSESS to shape long-term enrollment strategy, set targets, and define KPIs that drive institutional growth.
- Ensure the accuracy and integrity of admissions data across multiple platforms, including CRM, SMS, and other institutional systems.
- Oversee the development and distribution of admission-related communications, including enrollment agreements and admissions letters.
- Monitor and reconcile enrollment reports to maintain real-time data accuracy and provide actionable insights.
- Lead the implementation of automated and streamlined processes to improve efficiency and enhance the student experience.
- Ensure compliance with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and federal and state regulations.
Innovation and Process Improvement
Create and implement innovative recruitment strategies to attract highly qualified applicant pool that is reflective of the world.Develop and test new approaches to improve applicant engagement and enhance the admissions journey.Stay current with industry trends and best practices to continuously improve admissions processes and outreach efforts.Introduce new data analysis methods to evaluate recruitment outcomes and identify areas for growth and improvement.Interdepartmental Collaboration
Partner with academic departments to refine admissions review processes and ensure alignment with academic expectations and program goals.Collaborate with Financial Aid, Student Services, and Academic Affairs to create a cohesive and supportive enrollment experience.Build collaborative relationships with faculty and department chairs to communicate admissions trends and ensure alignment with program offerings and institutional priorities.Partner with Library Services, Academic Affairs, and Student Services to facilitate orientation and the transition to graduate study.Collaborates with the Director of Marketing to design and implement strategic, data-informed recruitment campaigns and outreach initiatives that strengthen the institute’s market presence and engage prospective students effectively.Student Recruitment and Counseling
Analyze enrollment data to develop, adjust and implement a student-centered, relationship-driven approach to recruitment.Provide admissions counseling that emphasizes the transformative potential of a graduate education rooted in depth psychology.Train and support admissions advisors to engage prospective students with authenticity, transparency, and care.Develop outreach strategies to attract a diverse and mission-aligned applicant pool.Foster meaningful relationships with prospective students through personalized follow-up and engagement.Oversee the execution of an admissions communication plan that provides consistent and clear touchpoints from inquiry to matriculation.Data Analysis and Reporting
Oversees the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of admissions data and reporting, ensuring reliable information is available to support strategic enrollment decisions and institutional planning.Track and analyze recruitment data, conversion rates, and applicant behaviors to refine admissions strategies.Provide regular reports and insights to senior leadership and other stakeholders on enrollment trends, forecasting, and strategic adjustments.Use data to identify gaps and opportunities in recruitment, ensuring targeted and effective outreach.Ensure real-time tracking of prospective students, enabling timely follow-up and personalized engagement.Compliance and Ethical Standards
Ensure that all admissions practices adhere to institutional policies and regulatory requirements.Promote ethical and transparent recruitment practices that align with the institute’s mission and values.Uphold the highest standards of integrity in all admissions decisions and interactions with prospective students.Typical Qualifications :
Qualifications
Education and / or Experience
Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred.Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in admissions and enrollment that includes leadership level experience.Preferred Experience
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with faculty, staff, and prospective studentsPrior Director level experience within related field.Strong data analysis skills with the ability to interpret complex enrollment data and translate it into actionable strategies.Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite – Excel, Word, and Powerpoint.Experience with CRMs (i.e., Slate), with ERPs (especially Power Campus, Jenzabar), event registration software (i.e., EventBrite), SurveyMonkey, and DocuSign is strongly desired.Experience working in an academic environment.Excellent interpersonal, communications, public speaking, and presentation skills.Exceptional attention to detail.Exceptional oral and written communication skills.Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and work effectively, independently, and efficiently with tight time constraints.Ability to work a varying schedule to include evenings, weekends, extended hours and occasional holidays as needed to support recruitment efforts.