Associate Director, International Admissions

Summary of Position

Assists department in the recruitment, admission, and marketing efforts for international students. Develops and implements marketing strategies targeted at international students, measuring the ROI of these efforts, and manages the international enrollment process. Supervises full-time professional staff and ensures compliance with relevant policies and regulations.

Position Information

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Supervises staff; assigns and reviews work; establishes timeframes for the completion of assigned tasks; trains and orients new employees; approves/disapproves requests for paid leaves; interviews candidates for employment and makes recommendations for hire; evaluates employee work performance; receives and responds to grievances; provides assistance with the development of unit work procedures and policies.

Assists leadership in managing the day-to-day activities of international enrollment, admissions, and recruitment initiatives.

Assists in the development and implementation of marketing strategies; creates, edits, and distributes marketing materials to attract international students; measures and reports the return on investment (ROI) of these efforts.

Assists in managing all facets of the international admissions process, including but not limited to admissions counseling for prospective international students, processing undergraduate and English Language Institute (ELI) applications, collection of all international credentials such as academic transcripts, SAT, ACT, IELTS, TOEFL, and DET, data reporting, issuing visa documents (I-20s and DS 2019s), and managing agent payments. 

Evaluates international credentials as the primary evaluator. Performs credential evaluations as necessary. 
  
Collaborates with department constituents to ensure applicant files are processed efficiently for all students, including ELI students. 
  
Collaborates with colleagues to ensure the University is compliant with all signed Student Exchange Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding. 
  
Liaises with the university constituents to respond to international graduate applicant inquiries. 
  
Manages all applications and communications with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applicants. Collects and evaluates supporting documents. 
  
Manages websites, information systems, and other media related to international admissions and marketing; collects, manages, and reports international admissions data. 

Creates and implements a robust communication strategy.  Manages and composes regular newsletters for agents, high school counselor, alumni, government, and prospective students. 

Assists in the development and evaluation the University’s portfolio of commissioned recruitment agents and other third-party recruiters in established and developing markets.

Assists with strategic planning and budgeting of international enrollment. 

Travels internationally in support of admissions on behalf of the university, at the discretion of the Executive Director.

Serves as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible School Official (ARO).

Serves as a contact for YSU’s exchange partners, facilitating the establishment and maintenance of partnerships. Provides guidance and advice to students throughout the Study Abroad processes with international partner institutions. 

Serves as a member of the IPO leadership team to assist with the creation and implementation of IPO initiatives. 

Serves on committees and taskforces as a representative of the International Programs Office.

Other Functions and Responsibilities: Assists with training new hires.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Equipment Operated: Computer and all other standard office equipment.

Work Schedule: Typically, Monday through Friday. Ability to travel domestically or internationally.

Supervision Exercised: Supervision is exercised over staff and student employees.

Reports to: Executive Director, International Programs Office

Qualifications and Competencies

Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures: Valid U.S. passport or proof of permanent residency in order to serve as a Designated School Official.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Knowledge of: Best practices and current trends related to international student recruitment and admissions; immigration laws relevant to international students; University policies and procedures*; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives*; department/division policies and procedures*; workplace safety practices and procedures*; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management. 

Skill in: Written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills across various cultures; organizational and project management skills; customer service skills; use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department/division*. 

Ability to: Work collaboratively with constituents from diverse cultural backgrounds; provide leadership and constructive direction to staff; deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; prepare accurate documentation; maintain records according to established procedures; travel to and gain access to work site; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one tasks to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships.  

(*) Developed after employment. 

Minimum Qualifications: At least a master’s degree; three or more years of relevant experience in international admissions and recruitment; three years of supervisory experience; experience navigating various software applications for processing of international admissions; knowledge of various international recruitment strategies and trends; and demonstrated knowledge of immigration regulations governing international students. Valid U.S. passport or proof of permanent residency.

Preferred Qualifications: Fluency in a foreign language; prior experience working in Ellucian Banner; experience marketing to international audiences and measuring ROI of marketing efforts; prior experience advising international students in F-1 status; previous experience conducting market research to guide decision-making.

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