Assistant Director of Graduate Admission

Department: Costello College of Business

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

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

Location: Arlington, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University is one of the largest business schools in Virginia, and is located near Washington, D.C., in Arlington and Fairfax, and at George Mason’s global campus in Incheon, South Korea. The college’s AACSB-accredited business and accounting curricula prepare undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe for career success in business and government. Its research-based faculty and focus on multi-disciplinary academic programs, inclusive entrepreneurship, modular education, experiential learning, and corporate partner engagement are transforming the landscape of business education and workforce development. Learn more at https://business.gmu.edu/.

About the Position:

Reporting to the Director of Graduate Enrollment, the Assistant Director of Admissions develops and implements data-driven recruitment strategies that attract and enroll high-caliber students into Costello College of Business graduate programs—particularly master’s and certificate offerings. This role oversees end-to-end admissions operations: developing pipelines with professional organizations; supervising an admissions counselor and the student ambassadors program; cultivating trusting relationships with faculty and stakeholders; and optimizing technology systems to ensure outreach and resources align with meeting enrollment goals.

Responsibilities:

Recruitment & Yield

Designs and implements data-driven recruitment and yield strategies to meet enrollment goals for assigned master's and certificate programs:

• Analyzes market and enrollment data to target high-priority populations;
• Coordinates virtual and in-person events and appointments that showcase program offerings and drive inquiry volume; and
• Converts admitted applicants into matriculants through personalized communications and targeted touchpoints—emails, calls, admitted-student webinars, and special events—that reinforce program value, address concerns, and maximize deposit rates. 

Application & Admission Review

Oversees the end-to-end application review process:

• Triages incoming applications, ensures application completeness and compliance, coordinates faculty evaluations, and makes admission recommendations; and 
• Maintains strict timelines and quality standards to deliver timely decisions and a transparent applicant experience for candidates. 

Professional Connections & Corporate Recruiting

• Establishes and grows partnerships with industry associations and corporate clients to recruit working professionals into all Costello graduate programs; and
• Negotiates agreements, co-hosts tailored information sessions and networking events, and tracks partnership performance to ensure a steady pipeline of qualified, employer-sponsored applicants. 

Supervise Admissions Counselor

• Mentors, develops, and evaluates one full-time Admissions Counselor; and 
• Sets clear performance objectives, provides ongoing coaching on best practices for outreach and customer service, conducts regular performance reviews, and facilitates professional development opportunities to enhance team effectiveness.

Lead Student Ambassador Program

• Manages the recruitment, training, and deployment of student ambassadors across graduate programs; and
• Defines program goals, assigns ambassador roles for outreach activities and events, monitors engagement metrics, and provides feedback and recognition to ensure ambassadors effectively represent Costello and elevates the prospective‐student experience. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Progressive responsibility (generally 3+ years) in business development or a related field, and demonstrated experience and success supervising staff (generally 1+ years);
• Proven track record cultivating and sustaining partnerships and relationships;
• Track record leading cross-functional, inter-departmental projects with positive, timebound outcomes;
• Demonstrated ability to identify bottlenecks and drive projects to completion with minimal oversight;
• Ability to mentor and evaluate staff and student ambassadors—setting objectives, delivering feedback, and fostering a collaborative culture;
• Ability to take initiative and complete projects and/or assignments with little or no supervision;
• Exceptional at juggling multiple high-priority initiatives under tight deadlines, prioritizing tasks and maintaining attention to detail;
• Able to interpret trends and adapt innovative, resource conscious strategies as goals or market conditions evolve;
• Excellent written and verbal communicator; comfortable public speaking in person and via web platforms (Zoom, Teams, etc.);
• Outgoing, growth-oriented, able to take initiative independently while contributing effectively in a team setting;
• Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends and travel locally to support recruitment and partnership events; and
• Valid driver's license: 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:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Progressive responsibility (generally 5+ years) in or oversight of marketing, recruitment, admissions, business development, or related in higher-education, corporate recruiting, or related, and demonstrated experience and success supervising staff (generally 3+ years);
• Experience negotiating and managing partnerships (MOUs, sponsorship agreements) with industry or professional associations;
• Background in budget planning and resource allocation for recruitment initiatives and events;
• Prior involvement in international student recruitment and ability to scale recruitment models into new markets or program areas;
• Hands-on experience configuring and optimizing CRM platforms (Salesforce or equivalent), building dashboards, automating workflows, and ensuring data integrity;
• Demonstrated history of meeting or exceeding targets in adult and online learner enrollment;
• Proven track record designing and executing multi‐channel outreach campaigns (virtual and in-person); and
• Skilled at analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to provide actionable insights for setting strategy.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Director of Graduate Admission 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 for review.

Posting Open Date: September 29, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  October 13, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes