Assistant Director, Admissions (Local Admissions)

Columbia College Chicago is an acclaimed undergraduate and graduate institution that provides a comprehensive education in the arts, communications and public relations. We constantly aim to reach our full potential as an educational innovator, incubator of new creative practice and generator of real-world success for young creatives. We are located in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of the most iconic buildings in the South Loop.

Columbia College Chicago a private urban institution of over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students, four-year College offering a distinctive curriculum that blends liberal arts, creative and media arts and business is currently searching for an Assistant Director, Admissions for the Local Recruitment team. 

A Flexible Work Arrangement may be available for this position in mutual agreement with the Associate Director of Local Admissions.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Admissions manages a designated student recruitment territory and engages and supports prospective students in all phases of the recruitment process to advance the strategic enrollment goals. Additionally, the Assistant Director's responsibilities also include serving as a liaison with key institutional or external partners. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned recruitment territory; represent the College at national and local fairs, events and programs as assigned. Provide information about the College's mission, history, academics, campus life, admission process, and financial aid.
• Serve as admission liaison for prospective students; evaluate applications, oversee process and documentation for completeness and accuracy for final admissions decisions.
• Establish and strengthen relationships with key institutional or external partners through regular contact and targeted follow-up communication.
• Aid in developing strategy and potential programming for key institutional or external partners and lead the execution of strategy and programming.
• Serve as subject matter experts in the Admissions Office regarding assigned institutional or external partners.
• Coordinate with the efforts of the Financial Aid Office by following up on completed financial aid packages with admitted students and their parents and serve as primary contact on financial aid questions through the point of enrollment.
• Contribute to the development and execution of effective recruitment and marketing programs and material to meet and/or exceed enrollment goals
• Maintain consistent contact with students, parents, and influencers via phone calls, email, and other methods as required, and participate in all yield activities for assigned territory.
• Facilitate and coordinate campus and departmental visits and activities.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate program-specific information and programming to key institutional and external partners
• Participate in strategic communication campaigns designed to attract and yield students.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of all College programs, including academic and extracurricular programs.
• Actively participate in meetings to ensure existing and new or changing policies, procedures, and recruitment initiatives are communicated and implemented effectively.
• Aid in onboarding of new employees in the Office of Admissions.
• Represent the Admissions Office at community events as required. Public speaking required. 
• Perform other recruitment, advising, and enrollment-related duties as assigned or required to support the mission of the Admissions Office at Columbia College Chicago. 

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications or another related field.
• Two years of college student recruitment experience or an equivalent combination of related education and experience;
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to work weekends, extended workdays, and/or overnight travel, as required.
• Strong commitment to working with college students from diverse backgrounds.
• Detail-oriented focus with the ability to take initiative, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks with little supervision.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion, particularly in matters relative to sensitive or confidential student records, personnel or organizational matters.
• Experience using Slate, and/or other higher education systems or software effectively.
• Ability to work as part of team in a fast-paced, student-centered environment.
• Strong computer, organizational, and communication skills, including the effective use the Microsoft Office suite of products.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. 

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.
• This is a union position.
• This position is overtime ineligible.

Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.