Director of Admissions

Position Information

Department/College Enrollment and Student Services Position Title Director of Admissions Job Category Staff Posting Number 00525 FLSA Exempt Full or Part Time Full-Time Other Temporary No If Temporary, number of months

Position Summary Information

Duties

The Director of Admissions serves as the chief architect of Athens State University's admissions strategy and is charged with building, scaling, and sustaining a modern enrollment enterprise. This executive-level role carries responsibility for creating new enrollment streams, accelerating growth, and positioning the University for long-term success in an increasingly competitive higher education landscape, with particular emphasis on transfer students, adult learners, military-affiliated students, and other nontraditional populations.

Reporting to the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services, the Director of Admissions offers a rare and compelling opportunity to reimagine admissions from the ground up--aligning people, processes, partnerships, and technology into a cohesive, high-performing operation. The Director of Admissions will assess current structures, lead strategic redesign where needed and build strong, empowered admissions team capable of executing at a high level and adapting to evolving market demands.

This role is designed for a transformational enrollment leader with a builder's mindset--someone who thrives in environments requiring vision, change leadership, and measurable impact. The Director of Admissions will operate as a strategic partner across the institution, working closely with academic leadership, marketing, student services, and external stakeholders to expand access, strengthen pathways, and deliver an admissions experience that supports enrollment growth and student success.

WHY ATHENS STATE UNIVERSITY:

Athens State University offers a distinctive and compelling leadership opportunity for enrollment professionals seeking to make a lasting institutional impact. As Alabama's only upper-division university, Athens State serves a mission-driven population of transfer students and adult learners and is uniquely positioned for enrollment growth through innovation, partnership, and access-focused strategy.

The Director of Admissions will join the University at a pivotal moment
-when enrollment strategy, market opportunity, and institutional commitment are aligned for transformation. With strong executive support and the ability to shape admissions structure, staffing, and strategy, this role provides uncommon latitude to build something new: modern transfer pathways, employer - and workforce-aligned pipelines, military and adult learner enrollment streams, and a best-in-class admissions experience tailored to today's students. For the right leader, Athens State offers the opportunity to leave a clear legacy
-expanding access, strengthening partnerships, empowering a high-performing admissions team, and positioning the University for long-term enrollment strength and student success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership and Enrollment Growth

* Provide vision and leadership for a comprehensive admissions strategy that creates new and sustainable enrollment streams aligned with institutional priorities.

* Develop, implement, and continuously refine multi-year and annual enrollment plans with a strong focus on transfer students, adult learners, and other growth populations.

* Analyze market trends, competitive positioning, and institutional data to identify opportunities for enrollment expansion and improved conversion.

* Serve as a senior advisor on admissions and enrollment strategy to enrollment management leadership.

Admissions Operations and Team Leadership

* Lead, develop, and manage a robust admissions organization, including hiring, training, mentoring, supervising, and evaluating professional and support staff.

* Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and student-centered service within the admissions team.

* Oversee day-to-day admissions operations, including application processing, file review, territory management, communications workflows, and recruitment activities.

* Ensure admissions practices are efficient, scalable, and aligned with best practices for adult and transfer student recruitment.

Transfer and Adult Learner Focus

* Design and strengthen transfer pathways, articulation relationships, and partnerships with community colleges, universities, employers, and military installations.

* Advance recruitment strategies tailored to adult learners, including flexible entry points, streamlined processes, and clear communication of degree completion pathways.

* Collaborate with academic units to align admissions practices with program capacity, workforce needs, and student success outcomes.

Collaboration, Compliance, and Systems

* Maintain strong collaborative relationships with marketing, academic departments, student services, off-campus centers, and external stakeholders.

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