Executive Director, Admissions - Western Washington University

Another Source’s client,
Western Washington University
, is recruiting an Executive Director of Admissions to join their team in Bellingham, WA.

Western Washington University’s Office of Admissions plays a vital role in advancing the university’s enrollment goals and student success. The department leads the recruitment, admission, and enrollment of undergraduate students, including first-year, transfer, international, and returning populations.

The Admissions team includes approximately 30 professional staff, supported by a large student staff, and collaborates across campus to develop data-informed recruitment strategies and deliver an exceptional prospective student experience.

Managing approximately 15,000 applications annually, Admissions currently targets enrollment of 3,200 first-year and 1,200 transfer students. The Executive Director will join Western at a pivotal time, building on recent enrollment growth while advancing initiatives in first-year recruitment, transfer pathways, and yield.

Reporting to the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, the Executive Director of Admissions leads approximately 30 permanent staff and a large student team while developing and executing Western Washington University’s admissions and recruitment strategies.

As a key member of Enrollment Management, the Executive Director partners across campus and the community to advance data-informed recruitment and enrollment strategies aligned with the university’s vision and strategic plan. This collaborative, student-centered leader will oversee efforts to attract, recruit, and enroll a diverse and talented undergraduate student body across WWU locations while fostering strong relationships and driving operational excellence.

• Practices sound modeling, assessment, and strategic planning to support the university's vision, mission, and strategic goals
• In collaboration with university partners, builds recruitment plans, develops timelines, and executes admissions and recruitment plans
• Stays current with national and regional trends in university admissions and in high schools
• Serves as a key contributor to enrollment management planning for the university
• Develops strategies and plans to recruit new students in a changing enrollment landscape, with attention to changes in high school graduation volumes, community college enrollment levels, and shifts in student demographics and geography, among other factors
• Researches industry practices and implements procedures consistent with best practices
• Reviews applications for admission often providing decisions on the most complex files
• Oversees the design of processes to ensure the clear, efficient tracking of application review from beginning to end
• Serves as the final authority on appeals of admission and scholarship decisions
• Works with Enrollment Management and others to establish the scholarship model for recruitment
• Identifies and implements effective awarding strategies for Admissions scholarships and tuition waivers in collaboration with the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Admissions and Financial Aid colleagues
• Collaborates with Enrollment Management colleagues in aligning the work of the Admissions Office in supporting campus enrollment goals, including increasing access and diversity
• Researches, assesses, and prioritizes the university’s positioning on College Search platforms
• Guides and provides expertise in the development of communications strategies for admissions and as a part of enrollment management efforts (print, media, and web content), ensuring that they are clear, accessible, inclusive, and represent the university well

• Serves as spokesperson for admissions at recruitment events (on campus and off) as well as at other events
• Represents the office professionally and effectively among university and external constituents
• Serves on campus and external committees, boards, and/or task forces
• Establishes and maintains strong collegial relationships with students, families, faculty, administrators, and…