Edtech.com's Summary

Michigan State University is hiring an Executive Director of Admissions. This role leads strategic, data-driven, and operational functions for the Office of Admissions, managing undergraduate admissions and recruitment efforts while collaborating with academic and administrative leaders. The Executive Director also oversees application processing for graduate and professional programs and contributes to student success initiatives through technology and systems modernization.

Highlights

Oversee full undergraduate admissions including domestic, transfer, international, and digital recruitment efforts.
Provide operational leadership for application processing of graduate and professional programs.
Collaborate regularly with senior leaders, faculty, staff, and external partners.
Manage admissions operations compliance with Federal, State, NCAA, Big Ten, and university regulations.
Require proficiency in CRM and Student Information System platforms.
Lead strategic planning, team management, and enrollment goals achievement through data-informed approaches.
Master's degree required with at least five years of progressive leadership in large-scale admissions operations.
Preferred experience with advanced data analytics, predictive modeling, and national professional organization engagement.
Responsible for budget, personnel, and resources to meet enrollment objectives.
Position requires international and domestic travel and supports a remote-friendly work environment.

Executive Director of Admissions Full Description

Working/Functional Title

Executive Director of Admissions

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Admissions provides strategic, data informed, and operational leadership for the Office of Admissions. In collaboration with Michigan State University’s (MSU) academic, administrative, and Enrollment Services leadership, the Executive Director oversees the full undergraduate admissions process.

The Executive Director oversees domestic, transfer, international, and digital recruitment efforts, high school and community college relations, campus visit programs, and admissions operations. The role also provides operational oversight of application processing for graduate and professional programs.

The position is highly collaborative and interacts regularly with senior leaders, faculty, staff, and external partners. It serves as a key contributor to institutional student success initiatives, including the implementation of new student-focused technologies, and a modernized customer relations software and enterprise Student Information System.

Other:

International and domestic travel is required.
This position is based in East Lansing, Michigan, on the campus of Michigan State University.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters

Minimum Requirements

Required Experience:

Master's degree
Leading large-scale admissions operations with at least five years of experience in progressive leadership overseeing broad domestic and international recruitment portfolios in a college or university setting.
Supervising teams at the assistant/associate director's level for a minimum of three years.
Demonstrating the ability to achieve enrollment goals through data-informed planning, yield strategies, and measurable outcomes.
Expanding prospective student markets across in-state, out-of-state, transfer, and international segments.
Advancing access and student success with admissions strategy.
Building and managing high performing teams; leading organizational change; and facilitating collaborative decision-making in complex environments.
Executing strategic planning initiatives and drives change leadership aligned to institutional priorities.
Cultivating high engagement, high performing workplace cultures through professional development and talent management.
Maintaining compliance with Federal, State and university regulations related to student recruitment and admissions review process.
Maintaining compliance with NCAA, Big Ten, and university regulations related to student athlete recruitment.

Desired Qualifications

Preferred Experience

Applying advanced data analytics and predictive modeling and evidence-based insights to drive recruitment and enrollment decisions.
Utilizing CRM and SIS platforms with a high level of proficiency.
Strengthening an institution’s national reputation through engagement with professional organizations (Big Ten Conference, NACAC, The College Board, and AAU).
Developing and executing multi-year, comprehensive admissions and recruitment strategies that strengthen academic quality and expand students’ access.
Leading recruitment plans for diverse student populations, including first year, transfer, international, and online learners.
Optimizing the prospect of pipeline through search strategies, digital marketing, CRM driven communications, high school/community college partnerships, and campus programming.
Managing personnel, budget, and resources to accomplish enrollment objectives.
Evaluating technological needs, recommending investments that support admissions operations.
Ensuring efficient processing through policy, procedures, and workflow design.
Collaborating effectively with academic and administrative partners including the deans, advising units, department heads, marketing and communication functions, financial aid, registrar, planning and budget, controller, institutional research, IT, international student services office(s), student success units, and others to achieve enrollment goals.
Supporting seamless transition and onboarding including new student orientation, student success and transfer stakeholders.
Providing timely reporting, forecasting, and analysis of enrollment outcomes to senior leadership.

Required Application Materials

CV, cover letter, and contact information for at least three references. References will only be contacted with the approval of the candidate.

Special Instructions

Applications should be received no later than February 16th, 2026, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Review of Applications Begins On

02/16/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://admissions.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Original Job Description

Working/Functional Title

Executive Director of Admissions

Position Summary

Other:

International and domestic travel is required.
This position is based in East Lansing, Michigan, on the campus of Michigan State University.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Required Degree

Masters

Minimum Requirements

Required Experience:

Master's degree
Leading large-scale admissions operations with at least five years of experience in progressive leadership overseeing broad domestic and international recruitment portfolios in a college or university setting.
Supervising teams at the assistant/associate director's level for a minimum of three years.
Demonstrating the ability to achieve enrollment goals through data-informed planning, yield strategies, and measurable outcomes.
Expanding prospective student markets across in-state, out-of-state, transfer, and international segments.
Advancing access and student success with admissions strategy.
Building and managing high performing teams; leading organizational change; and facilitating collaborative decision-making in complex environments.
Executing strategic planning initiatives and drives change leadership aligned to institutional priorities.
Cultivating high engagement, high performing workplace cultures through professional development and talent management.
Maintaining compliance with Federal, State and university regulations related to student recruitment and admissions review process.
Maintaining compliance with NCAA, Big Ten, and university regulations related to student athlete recruitment.

Desired Qualifications

Preferred Experience

Applying advanced data analytics and predictive modeling and evidence-based insights to drive recruitment and enrollment decisions.
Utilizing CRM and SIS platforms with a high level of proficiency.
Strengthening an institution’s national reputation through engagement with professional organizations (Big Ten Conference, NACAC, The College Board, and AAU).
Developing and executing multi-year, comprehensive admissions and recruitment strategies that strengthen academic quality and expand students’ access.
Leading recruitment plans for diverse student populations, including first year, transfer, international, and online learners.
Optimizing the prospect of pipeline through search strategies, digital marketing, CRM driven communications, high school/community college partnerships, and campus programming.
Managing personnel, budget, and resources to accomplish enrollment objectives.
Evaluating technological needs, recommending investments that support admissions operations.
Ensuring efficient processing through policy, procedures, and workflow design.
Collaborating effectively with academic and administrative partners including the deans, advising units, department heads, marketing and communication functions, financial aid, registrar, planning and budget, controller, institutional research, IT, international student services office(s), student success units, and others to achieve enrollment goals.
Supporting seamless transition and onboarding including new student orientation, student success and transfer stakeholders.
Providing timely reporting, forecasting, and analysis of enrollment outcomes to senior leadership.

Required Application Materials

CV, cover letter, and contact information for at least three references. References will only be contacted with the approval of the candidate.

Special Instructions

Applications should be received no later than February 16th, 2026, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Review of Applications Begins On

02/16/2026

Remote Work Statement

Website

https://admissions.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

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Executive Director of Admissions

Edtech.com's Summary

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