Associate Director for Graduate and Professional Recruitment and Education Initiatives

The Associate Director for Graduate and Professional Recruitment and Education Initiatives leads graduate-level recruitment strategies and enrollment initiatives across the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) while supporting key academic processes that ensure student success from matriculation through degree completion. The role drives data-informed recruitment planning, manages outreach and pipeline development, initiates and coordinates CEHD units to provide activities that promote prospective student engagement. In addition, the Associate Director supports the work of the CEHD Graduate Education team on projects and processes integral to graduate and professional education for the college. The position reports to the Director of Graduate and Professional Education Initiatives.

The application deadline will be on Friday, May 29, 2026.

Occasional travel is required for this position. A valid driver's license or reliable transportation is required.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Major Responsibilities:

Recruitment Strategy, Planning, and Academic Unit Collaboration (70%)

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive, data-driven recruitment plans aligned with enrollment and net-revenue goals for research-based, professional, and online programs across the college.
• Partner with all seven academic units to ensure recruitment strategies reflect program-specific goals, timelines, and student profiles.
• Use market research, enrollment trends, and performance analytics to evaluate recruitment effectiveness and refine tactics.
• Collaborate with CEHD Marketing & Communications' Digital Marketing Manager to design segmented, multichannel outreach campaigns and best-practice electronic recruitment communications.
• Build and maintain pipelines for prospective students, including UMN alumni, CEHD undergraduates, Minnesota institutions, and national partners.
• Design and implement outreach plans that move prospective students from inquiry to application submission.
• Build and oversee virtual and in-person recruitment events, including occasional travel for on-site engagements and presentations to prospective students and others.
• Support the implementation and optimization of recruitment technologies such as CRM systems, automated workflows, and chatbots.
• Develop and manage prospect-to-enrollment workflows to strengthen cross-functional communication and alignment.
• Recruit, train, and supervise Alumni and Student Ambassadors; set goals, monitor performance, and provide ongoing professional development.
• Develop and maintain recruitment playbooks and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Manage the graduate recruitment operations budget, track spending, assess ROI, and adjust strategies based on performance data.
• Develop and maintain liaison relationships with the Graduate School Admissions Office and undergraduate contacts across the UMN system and outside institutions.

Scholarship Coordination (10%)

• Provide leadership and support for the administration of college and university-level graduate scholarships and awards.
• Manage review and disbursement of college-level awards.
• Support administration and reporting for the university-wide Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF), Grants to Advance Graduate Education (GAGE), and Provost Enhancement Funds.

Special Projects (10%)

• Coordinate the CEHD Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, including workshops, scheduling, judging coordination, and overseeing the event on CEHD Research Day.
• Participate in CEHD Commencement planning and lead projects as needed for the commencement planning committee.
• Support additional projects as assigned.

Program Administration and Student Progress (10%)

• Support graduate and professional students from matriculation through degree clearance, resolving complex issues related to academic progress.
• Approve and track Leaves of Absence (LOAs), time extensions, and GRAD 999 enrollment compliance.
• Review and approve committee workflows for oral preliminary and final exams on behalf of the college.
• Serve as a point of contact for faculty, staff, and students regarding University and CEHD graduate policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BA degree plus at least six years of relevant experience, or master's degree plus at least four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, public policy, business, or a related field or a BS/BA and at least ten years of higher education recruitment, admissions, and student services experience.
• Experience developing and executing recruitment or enrollment-management strategies in a higher-education setting.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, interpret market trends, and use analytics to inform decision-making.
• Experience with CRM systems, marketing automation tools, or student-lifecycle technologies.
• Strong understanding of graduate education structures, policies, and academic processes.
• Experience supervising student or professional staff, including training and performance management.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners.
• Experience managing budgets and assessing return on investment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and supporting a diverse graduate student population.

The College of Education and Human Development is home to a wide array of professional programs and academic disciplines that together study the whole person in context. We research how people learn and grow and how they feel capable and secure in their work, fulfilled in their family lives, and satisfied in their health and wellbeing.

Our curriculum will challenge you to do things like personally affect how people create equity in classrooms and work spaces, tackle health concerns through a community-based approach, investigate the role of trauma in children's mental health, or provide knowledge and tools to build family resilience.

Pay Range: $75,000 - $95,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required application materials: Resume and Cover Letter

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.