The University at Buffalo (UB), the State University of New York (SUNY), a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence, seeks an ambitious, bold, thoughtful and visible associate vice provost/director of admissions (avp/director) to lead and manage its Office of Admissions. The admissions team is executing a very strong enrollment plan which has resulted in enrolling the largest freshmen class in UB’s history (4,045 students in fall 2017) and realized a 22 percent increase in applications since 2013.
Founded in 1846, UB is the No. 1 public university in New York State and one of the select two percent of institutions in North America with membership in the Association of American Universities. The university is the largest, most comprehensive institution in the 64-campus SUNY system. With more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the university offers more than 400 degree programs at the bachelor, master, and doctoral and professional levels. UB’s annual revenue from all sources, including university affiliations, were $1.6 billion in FY 2015, including $680 million in operating revenue. UB is ranked No. 97 in National Universities and No. 41 in Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report, 2017.
The Position
Reporting directly to and partnering closely with the vice provost for enrollment management, Lee H. Melvin, the avp/director will lead all aspects of domestic undergraduate recruitment and admission as well as graduate admission operations. The avp/director will be responsible for envisioning and implementing an admissions strategy that is forward-thinking, innovative and dynamic, one that continues to enhance academic quality and elevates UB to higher levels of institutional distinction. This position represents a significant opportunity for the new avp/director to continue to shape and advance UB’s vision for enrollment and overall strategic goals and objectives.
The avp/director will lead a robust outreach program encompassing proactive recruitment initiatives that creatively and thoughtfully portray the university’s undergraduate and graduate experience. Ultimately, the avp/director will be responsible for efficient and student-centric application review, applicant selection, and yield-influencing programs that result in meeting university undergraduate freshman and transfer enrollment goals in an increasingly competitive applicant pool. Additionally, the avp/director will provide guidance and operational support to the university’s graduate academic partners to aid them in strengthening graduate recruitment and yield-enhancing activities. The avp/director will supervise a staff of approximately 55 FTE, including professional staff, support staff and graduate assistants. The avp/director oversees a budget of approximately $4.3 million.
Qualifications
A master’s degree and at least 10 years of progressively responsible management experience directly related to enrollment management is required. Experience in analyzing and organizing information and deriving actionable insight from data to produce results, and demonstrated success in recruiting and enrolling an academically strong and diverse student population, is also required. The new avp/director will be a collaborative professional who can articulate a complex vision with the confidence of a thought leader and will be eager to engage the UB community, prospective students, and families in creative recruitment and enrollment experiences. He or she will demonstrate the desire to further develop a dedicated and talented staff and show an interest in mentoring admissions professionals. Candidates need to be highly energetic and demonstrate strategic leadership skills. The ideal candidate will have experience with change management as related to continuously improving business processes and have experience working at a large, comprehensive university. The ideal candidate will be comfortable leaning in on conversations and will be able to anticipate and effectively respond to all matters that influence enrollment. Excellent written and verbal communications skills, strong data and technology skills, integrity, ability to motivate staff and to foster collaboration across diverse groups of constituents are required.
Application and Nomination
Review of applications begins Dec. 1, 2017, and will continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates should apply for this position via the Williams & Company website at: www.williamscompany.net. Confidential inquiries and/or nominations may be directed to Martha H. Smiles at: Martha@williamscompany.net or (802) 497-0151.
Please visit the University at Buffalo’s website at www.buffalo.edu.
The University at Buffalo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic university community committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. Potential applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply.