Director of Admissions

Download Position Profile (opens in a new tab) Trocaire College , a private, career-oriented Catholic college, is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as its next Director of Admissions. The Director will be a highly visible and actively engaged member of the campus community, overseeing the office of admissions and the one-stop operation. The Director will work in close partnership with university leadership, faculty, and staff, leading efforts to develop and implement a comprehensive student recruitment plan, optimize admission processes, refine admission communication, and enhance the one stop operation to support institutional enrollment goals. The Director of Admissions will champion strategic outreach initiatives to expand Trocaire’s visibility, deepen community partnerships, and build a diverse and mission-aligned student body. They will employ a sophisticated understanding of analytics, leveraging data to inform strategy, segment messaging and optimize outcomes, while maintaining a deeply student-centered approach. Through outstanding communication and collaborative leadership, the Director will build trust, strengthen relationships on campus, and keep stakeholders meaningfully informed and engaged in the recruiting and admission process. The Director will lead an enthusiastic and committed admissions staff, and will provide mentorship and guidance, while establishing clear goals and facilitating professional growth. Additionally, they will provide fiscal oversight of the office, ensuring responsible budget management and the strategic and effective stewardship of organizational resources. Essential Duties and Responsibilities The essential duties and responsibilities for the Director of Admissions are as follows: Leadership Act as a player-coach, contributing directly to the Trocaire admissions office operation while providing leadership, guidance and support to the office of admissions and one-stop. Represent Trocaire College at campus events, professional meetings, and recruitment activities as well as institutional meetings and committees to advance key initiatives. Establish goals, motivate and manage staff, and monitor enrollment progress; foster a culture of mentorship, staff development, critical thinking, collaboration, leadership, accountability and empowerment within the division. Establish and maintain positive relationships with Buffalo and Western New York area constituencies, including secondary schools, four-year and community colleges and business organizations, to create partnership opportunities. Manage relationships with any vendors or third party providers that impact the work of the Admissions office. Recruitment & Admissions Develop, clarify, and coordinate the implementation of a strategic recruitment plan for new student enrollment. Lead the coordination of application processing, admissions review, and enrollment decisions. Develop and execute a formalized prospect management framework designed to strategically engage, nurture and advance prospects through the admissions funnel. Review and develop written policies and procedures that are effective , efficient , and maintain high levels of customer service. Collaboration Partner with the Office of Marketing to create communication flows that compellingly articulate Trocaire’s value proposition while cultivating meaningful engagement and sustained interest among prospective students. Partner with faculty and academic leadership to assess the strength and relevance of existing programs while identifying emerging markets and opportunities for programmatic and enrollment growth. Collaborate with Financial Aid to align scholarship and aid strategies with enrollment objectives and student success outcomes. Build trusted partnerships with key partners to enhance the student experience from recruitment to retention, and improve student success. Data & Technology Oversee the use of admissions systems to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and data integrity. Utilize data analytics to assess recruitment performance, forecast enrollment trends, and inform institutional planning. Provide data-driven guidance for all aspects of student recruitment programs and strategic enrollment initiatives. Qualifications, Skills, and Characteristics Trocaire College is seeking an experienced admissions leader with a minimum of five years of progressive experience in admissions or enrollment. The successful candidate will be required to have earned a bachelor’s degree; an advanced degree from an institutionally accredited institution is preferred. In addition, the successful candidate will possess the following: Demonstrated deep understanding of regional and national trends and issues in higher education, college admissions, and the evolving needs of students and families; A visible and communicative leader who values relationships, listens deeply and engages with the community; A collaborative spirit, committed to the well-being of students and providing exemplary customer service to students, families and campus constituents; Strength in statistical research and analytical capacity; strong data acumen and the ability to use data to understand issues and develop effective strategies; the ability to distill complex data into clear, actionable insights for various stakeholders; Experience leading a team of admissions professionals with an approach that prioritizes mentorship, empowerment, transparency and accountability; Demonstrated emotional intelligence; empathetic with the ability to engage and educate students, families and colleagues; Approachable, positive leader experienced in managing through change thoughtfully and successfully; Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, including excellent public speaking skills, with the ability to build relationships, communicate clearly and compellingly, and enhance the positive reputation of the division and institution across audiences;