Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admissions

Department: Division of Enrollment Management

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Starting mid $50k, commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department:

In collaboration with the George Mason University community, and as a part of the Office of the Provost, the Division for Enrollment Management optimizes student recruitment and retention by developing and implementing strategic enrollment plans, overseeing the admissions process, providing financial aid services, and managing the Mason Student Services Center—a centralized student services resource. The Division’s activities support the achievement of institutional enrollment goals by placing the student (and family) at the center of our work, supporting a culture of transparency, and leveraging data to inform decision-making.

The Office of Admissions facilitates the recruitment and enrollment of freshmen, transfer, graduate, and non-degree students in alignment with the University's strategic plan, ensuring a diverse and successful student body that contributes to the institution's excellence and global impact.

About the Position:

The Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions actively recruits new undergraduate students by planning and executing recruitment activities in assigned locations; reviews applicant files and makes appropriate admission decisions; serves as the on-call person to meet with prospective students and families that walk into the office, and the contact person for any escalations from the front-line service team as scheduled; conducts information sessions presented to prospective students and their families on academics, campus life, and how to apply to George Mason University; and manages the campus visit experience, tour, and visitor center, and leads the staff that manages the student tour guide program (Mason Ambassadors).

This position requires frequent evening and weekend work and extensive travel.

Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership and management of the daily visit experience for all prospective students to ensure the needs of all visitors are met, including, but not limited to:
  • Modifies the visit experience as the data and student needs dictate;
  • Oversees the campus visit and presentation schedule, including general visits, identity-based visits, and academic-focused visits. This includes in-person and virtual tours and information sessions, utilizing related technology;
  • Fosters relationships with internal stakeholders in order to enhance daily campus visits to provide an experience tailored to a diverse population of students and families;
  • Ensures a high-quality visit experience for all prospective students and effectively leads and manages all facets of the visit;
  • Oversees the hiring process for the student tour guides, the scheduling process, and appropriate training; and
  • Ensures a clear plan for ADA accommodations for the daily visit experience.
• Identifies a group of diverse students to represent Mason on student panels and at other events.
• Assists with planning, coordination, and execution of year-round recruitment initiatives by maintaining a diverse group of students to represent Mason.
• Serves as an active member of the admissions committee.
• Maintains an active presence in the geographic regions assigned.
• Schedules and conducts high school visits and college fairs.
• Makes personal visits to each school in assigned area.
• Reviews all types of undergraduate applicant files and makes appropriate admissions decisions reviewing unusual circumstances with leadership as appropriate.
• Tracks applications and yields for assigned areas.
• Engages in appropriate follow-up activities with prospective students and applicants encountered during the recruitment cycle.
• Enters decisions in student database.
• Handles a caseload of approximately 2,000-3,000 freshman and transfer applicant files.
• Stays up to date on all relevant information and policies about the institution.
• Serves as Counselor of the Day (COD), the on-call person to meet with prospective students and families that walk into the office, and the contact person for any escalations from the front-line service team as scheduled.
• Serves as the Informational Officer of the Day (IOD), conducting information sessions presented to prospective students and their families on academics, campus life, and how to apply to George Mason University.
• Actively participates in admissions events.
• Assists with planning and logistics, as assigned.
• Manages direct reports:
  • Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with the university's plans and vision and communicates them to direct reports;
  • Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks;
  • Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching;
  • Prepares and submits performance evaluations;
  • Provides employee recognition;
  • Hires and trains new employees;
  • Maintains timekeeping and personnel records;
  • Receives complaints and resolves problems;
  • Passes on information from upper management to employees and vice versa; and
  • Ensures adherence to legal and university policies and procedures and undertakes disciplinary actions if the need arises.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Some admissions related experience;
• Experience serving in a leadership role;
• Proficient in the use of related technology with willingness and ability to learn new systems;
• Demonstrated customer service experience;
• Demonstrated analytical skills;
• Skill in public speaking in large and small group environments;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to work well in a team environment;
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse populations;
• Ability to handle sensitive and/or confidential information and situations;
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a deadline-driven environment often working on multiple tasks concurrently;
• Ability to perform work with substantial attention to detail; and
• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education with knowledge of the admissions process;
• Experience managing a team of professional staff members;
• Experience with Salesforce Customer Relationship Management (CRM);
• Experience with Ellucian Banner;
• Experience with data analysis;
• Familiarity with Mason's physical campus and surrounding area;
• Familiarity with Mason's diverse population, admissions processes, campus offerings for students, and campus events; and
• Bilingual.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admissions at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date:  April 11, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  April 25, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes