Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27079

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Matthew Lovern

matthew.lovern

Working Title Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions

Join the Graduate School team to lead MSU's graduate recruitment and admissions strategy, shaping the journey from prospect to enrollment. This role drives a dynamic, centralized approach to application processing, evaluation, and decision-making while enhancing the graduate student experience through impactful orientation programs. As a key partner to academic departments, the Director plays a pivotal role in attracting top talent and elevating MSU's graduate community.

Position Number 4C5314 Department Graduate School Division Office of Academic Affairs Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $78,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type MUS If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

The Graduate School at Montana State University supports one of the nation's leading research universities by fostering excellence in graduate education, research, and professional development. Serving more than 2,000 master's and doctoral students across a wide range of disciplines, the Graduate School partners with faculty, departments, and campus leaders to promote student success, advance innovative research, and ensure high-quality graduate programs.

Through a collaborative, student-centered approach, the Graduate School provides leadership in graduate admissions, academic policy, funding opportunities, and professional development while helping prepare graduates to make meaningful contributions in academia, industry, government, and their communities.

Reporting to the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Director of the Graduate School, the Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions is responsible for overseeing the centralized recruitment and admissions processes of the Graduate School. The position provides leadership for graduate student recruitment, admissions, application processing, and enrollment operations, ensuring compliance with university and Board of Regents policies and procedures. The Director develops and implements recruitment, marketing, communication, and outreach strategies to attract and enroll high-quality graduate students;

oversees recruitment events and initiatives; and collaborates with academic departments, faculty, and campus partners to support effective recruitment and admissions practices, student funding requirements, process improvement, and compliance.

The Director provides leadership and supervision for recruitment and admissions staff and student employees, including performance management, training and professional development. The position oversees graduate admissions and recruitment technology systems, data reporting and system integration, end-user training, and the development of online resources and orientation materials to support graduate students and campus stakeholders. The Director also serves as a key resource and campus liaison for graduate recruitment and admissions policies, processes, systems, and initiatives.

• Oversees all operations involving graduate student application processing, including decisions (admissions/denials) and review of residency requirement in accordance with the BOR policies and procedures; serves as contact for BOR residency audits.
• Collaborates with department graduate coordinators, faculty, and administrative staff regarding recruitment practices, admission policies and procedures, and application processing, including providing guidance on student funding requirements as well as promoting process improvement and compliance.
• Develops and implements effective goals, strategies, and initiatives to facilitate the recruitment of high-quality graduate students to Montana State University, including management of prospects at all stages.
• Oversees the creation and dissemination of the Graduate School's short-and long-term marketing strategies and communication plans in collaboration with University Communications.
• Develops and executes professional, high-quality in-person and online recruiting events, including…