General Summary of Position:
UMass Lowell's Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies (GPS) is one of the largest nonprofit Graduate, Online & Professional Studies programs in New England, featuring a wide and comprehensive selection of graduate and undergraduate degree programs offered on campus or online.
The Associate Director of GPS Admissions is responsible for the Admissions function for graduate and online programs which encompasses the processing and review teams. The AD is a working manager and team player responsible for getting applications completed, reviewed, admitted, and moved to the correct area/team for registration. He/she ensures GPS graduate and undergraduate prospective students experience a streamlined and user-friendly application process, that applications are reviewed expediently, that applicants receive admission decisions in a timely manner, and that newly admitted students are routed correctly and efficiently to registration. The Associate Director of Admissions at GPS, reporting to the Assistant Dean of Admissions & Recruitment, manages and leads the GPS admissions team and assists the division with critical functions related to admissions operations, application review and compliance, achieving admissions KPIs and SLAs and ensuring data integrity. The AD will work to streamline and improve efficiency and scale of this part of the funnel with an eye toward increased volume, efficiency, and quality.
Essential Job Duties:
Operations Management and Planning - (40%):
- Draws on industry knowledge and experiences to build out the admissions and processing unit operations to accommodate scale, increase efficiency, maintain quality, embrace technology, and achieve KPIs and SLAs.
- Supervises and leads the admissions processing and admissions review units.
- Continuously evaluates workflows to identify bottlenecks and problems. Works with his/her teams and leadership to implement improvement strategies.
- Coordinates and monitors the flow of applications to and from department admissions committees, and works to improve key performance indicators such as time to admissions decision.
- Collaborates closely with the recruitment team and the GPS Front Desk team to provide superior customer service to prospective students and respond to students’ inquiries regarding admissions process and application status.
- Works closely with the application solution vendor and with GPS IT team to ensure application systems function as expected and makes request for enhancements as needed.
- Develops best practices to improve admissions operations KPI’s such as to completion, time to decision and other critical admissions operation metrics.
Admissions and Compliance - (40%):
- Reviews and evaluates GPS applications as required.
- Signatory responsibility for the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Recruitment on all applications that meet admissions criteria. Exercises judgment and negotiates with academic departments in cases that are exceptions to established criteria.
- Maintains admissions requirements to GPS graduate and undergraduate programs.
- Ensures the review of applications for admission is conducted in compliance with academic standards established by the Faculty Senate and the departments and determines admissibility within those criteria.
- Advises and serves as a resource to departmental admissions committees, applicants and other interested parties regarding regulations, procedures, deadlines and criteria governing admission to GPS programs.
- Collaborates with the Office of Registrar’s to establish best practices for transfer credit process and oversees the process.
- Oversees the evaluation of domestic and international transcripts to determine academic equivalents and advises department admissions committees.
- Pursues ongoing education to keep current on changes in foreign degree equivalence and grading systems.
Data Integrity, Tracking KPI’s and Reporting - (10%):
- Using technology and reporting, ensures integrity of applications, actively manages performance on KPIs and SLAs.
- Takes responsibility for appropriate admissions data and reports and collaborates with Data Analytics & Institutional Research and GPS Analytics team to ensure data integrity and proper internal and external reporting.
- Identifies data and coding issues and works with GPS staff and appropriate UML departments for resolution.
- Collaborates with the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Recruitment to develop and monitor admissions KPIs and SLAs to improve admissions operations.
Supervisory and Leadership Responsibilities - (10%):
- Supervises 3 full time staff, 4 part time staff and student employees.
- Performs office management duties, directs the workflow, plans, organizes, and sets priorities on work.
- Represents the university and the division in internal and external meetings and collaborations.
- Collaborates with GPS Marketing team to maintain admissions communications to applicants including admissions packages up to date and appealing.
Promotes the University’s commitment to customer service by:
- Building effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
- Maintaining an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.
Minimum Qualifications (Required):
Education/Experience and Skills:
- Masters degree with 5-7 years of admissions experience, but will consider candidates with a Bachelors degree and 7-9 years of admissions experience
- Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience is required
- Experience working with both graduate and adult learners populations is desirable
- Experience in working with Application Systems such as Admissions by Liaison, Salesforce, Student Information Systems, Microsoft Office Suite
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and the ability to understand the big picture required
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Adaptability and collaborative nature
- Experience in process management, with strong attention to detail
- Strong organizational, analytical and data interpretation skills
- Ability to collect, organize and interpret analytical data to build efficiency
- Valid U.S. driver’s license and clean driving record
- The ability to work effectively with diverse groups
- Organization
- Confidentiality
- Flexibility in working evening and weekend hours
Preferred Qualifications:
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.
This is an SEIU Professional Union position, Grade P18.
Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required at the time of application.
