Employment Opportunities at USD

Position Title & Department:

 Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment; School of Peace Studies Posting #

5765

Department Description: The Kroc School of Peace Studies trains the changemakers and peacebuilders of today and tomorrow.  Kroc is the first stand-alone school of peace in the United States. Innovation in learning and programs is at the center of what we do and who we are. We combine theory and practice not just to understand crises and world issues, but also to imagine new possibilities and develop solutions to humanity’s urgent challenges from increasing inequality and violence to climate change. At Kroc, people discover new ways of building more peaceful and socially just communities through a multidisciplinary lens and experiential learning. We look for passionate individuals who believe in the power of university learning to transform the world for the better. University Description:

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:

The Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment plays a key role in advancing the Kroc School’s strategic enrollment goals across its portfolio of graduate, certificate, and other academic programs. Working collaboratively with the Director of Recruitment and Admissions, the central Enrollment Management team, and other internal and external partners, the Assistant Director engages and advises prospective students, supports admissions and enrollment activities, coordinates recruitment initiatives and events, and helps admitted students progress toward enrollment.

The position uses enrollment data, CRM systems, and prospective student feedback to prioritize outreach, monitor engagement, and recommend adjustments to recruitment and admissions activities. Responsibilities and areas of emphasis may shift throughout the enrollment cycle based on program priorities, enrollment goals, staffing needs, and broader business needs. This role requires a proactive, collaborative, and customer-focused professional who can build relationships with diverse populations, manage multiple priorities, and provide prospective and admitted students with a timely, personalized, and well-coordinated experience.

This role requires regular local and regional travel, periodic overnight and out-of-area travel, and some evening and weekend work based on recruitment and event schedules. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Recruitment and Admissions 

Prospective Student Engagement and Recruitment

• Engage prospective, applicant, admitted, and enrolling students through personalized outreach, advising appointments, information sessions, campus visits, and other virtual and in-person interactions.
• Manage assigned prospective student populations, academic programs, recruitment sources, or stages of the enrollment funnel. Assignments may be adjusted based on enrollment priorities and departmental needs.
• Implement established recruitment and lead-engagement strategies using phone, email, text, video, virtual meetings, and other approved communication channels.
• Prioritize outreach based on prospective student engagement, recruitment source, enrollment stage, program needs, and available enrollment data.
• Provide accurate and timely information about academic programs, admissions requirements, application processes, deadlines, financial resources, and enrollment next steps. Refer complex or specialized questions to the appropriate school or university representative.
• Maintain timely and consistent follow-up with prospective students and identify questions, concerns, and barriers that may affect their decision to apply or enroll.

Admissions and Enrollment Support

• Support students as they progress through the admissions and enrollment process, including application completion, admission, confirmation, and matriculation.
• Conduct individual admissions advising appointments and provide personalized guidance appropriate to the students’ stage in the enrollment process.
• Develop and implement recruitment and yield activities designed to increase prospective student engagement, applications, confirmations, and enrollment.
• Engage admitted students through individual outreach, events, and other activities designed to answer questions, address barriers, and support informed enrollment decisions.
• Coordinate with the Director of Recruitment and Admissions and other appropriate university offices to address questions related to scholarships, financial aid, academic programs, international requirements, student services, and enrollment.
• Provide coverage and support across recruitment and admissions functions as needed to maintain service continuity and respond to changing enrollment and departmental priorities.

Recruitment Events and Outreach

• Plan, coordinate, host, and represent the Kroc School at recruitment activities, including information sessions, open houses, campus visits, graduate fairs, conferences, webinars, community events, and other virtual or in-person programs.
• Manage assigned event logistics, communications, prospective student follow-up, and outcome tracking in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Travel regularly to represent the Kroc School at local and regional recruitment activities, with periodic overnight and out-of-area travel.
• Work evenings and weekends as required by recruitment, travel, and event schedules.

Partnership Development

• Develop and maintain recruitment relationships with colleges and universities, employers, professional associations, community organizations, military-affiliated populations, student organizations, alumni, and other partners that can support enrollment goals.
• Identify and recommend new outreach opportunities, partnerships, events, and recruitment channels based on program priorities and prospective student needs.
• Engage faculty, alumni, current students, and student ambassadors in recruitment and yield activities, including events, panels, prospective student conversations, testimonials, and other engagement opportunities.

CRM, Data, and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate and timely records of prospective student interactions, recruitment activities, outcomes, and next steps in the school’s CRM and other designated systems.
• Monitor and review recruitment and enrollment activity, lead engagement, funnel movement, event participation, conversion patterns, and other relevant enrollment indicators.
• Prepare regular activity and outcome reports and recommend tactical adjustments based on recruitment results, prospective student feedback, market conditions, and enrollment priorities.
• Support the implementation, testing, adoption, and continuous improvement of CRM, admissions, communication, and reporting systems.
• Contribute to the development, documentation, and refinement of recruitment and admissions processes, communication plans, and operating procedures.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with the central Enrollment Management team, Marketing, academic programs, faculty, program directors, university offices, and other partners to ensure that recruitment information and prospective student communications are accurate, timely, and aligned with school priorities.
• Share prospective student feedback, recruitment trends, and relevant enrollment information with appropriate stakeholders.
• Participate in departmental and cross-functional meetings and contribute to the planning and implementation of recruitment and admissions priorities.

Special Projects and Other Duties 

• Lead or collaborate in special projects, pilot initiatives, and other assignments that advance the Kroc School’s enrollment priorities, operational needs, and strategic goals.
• Perform other related duties as needed and assigned.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required. 
• Minimum three years of progressively responsible experience in higher education admissions, student recruitment, enrollment management, consultative sales, marketing, or a related field.
• Experience providing individualized guidance or customer service and managing ongoing relationships with prospective students, clients, or comparable populations.
• Experience using a CRM or another system to manage communications, activity, records, and outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, business, marketing, peace and justice, or a related field preferred.
• Experience recruiting for graduate or certificate programs is preferred.
• Experience developing and implementing recruitment strategies, outreach initiatives, or partnership activities preferred.
• Experience planning and executing recruitment events, conferences, campus visits, or similar programs is preferred.
• Experience using HubSpot, Slate, Salesforce, or a comparable CRM preferred.
• Experience working with military-affiliated students or other targeted recruitment populations preferred.
• Experience using recruitment and enrollment data to inform outreach and engagement activities preferred.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong commitment to the mission and values of the Kroc School and the University of San Diego.
• Excellent interpersonal, listening, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, nationalities, identities, experiences, and abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to interface and collaborate effectively with central university functions, specifically the central Enrollment Management team, to align school-level efforts with overarching university enrollment strategies.
• Ability to conduct effective virtual and in-person admissions advising.
• Ability to manage a portfolio of prospective and admitted students while meeting established outreach, service, and response expectations.
• Demonstrated reliability, responsiveness, initiative, and follow-through.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, events, and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a diverse team.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and consistently document activity in CRM and admissions systems.
• Ability to interpret recruitment and enrollment data, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, database tools, spreadsheets, word-processing applications, virtual meeting platforms, and other web-based technology.
• Experience in project management and event planning.
• Exceptional attention to detail and sound professional judgment.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Knowledge of higher education policies and procedures, including FERPA requirements.
• Ability to adapt responsibilities and priorities in response to changing enrollment goals and business needs.

Posting Salary:

$5,859-$6,613 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

Additional Details:

Hours: 37.5 per hour

Closing date: Open until filled 

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

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