We are searching for an experienced Executive Director, Admissions Pathways at our Goldsmith Campus - Westchester campus.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The Executive Director, Admissions Pathways, is responsible for building pipelines for new student enrollment focusing specifically on local community colleges, middle and high schools, summer programs, non-profit organizations, government organizations and arts institutions. Oversees community engagement, including on campus events, this role facilitates community engagement through the organization of Open Houses, Portfolio Days, faculty-led workshops, info sessions, exhibits and more. In addition, the Executive Director creates opportunities for Otis community members, such as faculty and alumni, to engage with prospective and admitted students to help Admissions recruitment initiatives. This role provides essential support to the Vice President, Admissions, assisting with strategic development of admissions initiatives, develops training programs and ensures that pathways are developed to increase the enrollment of diverse, local students and to improve the quality of incoming students through partnerships with local schools and arts organizations and offering workshops to aid skill development. The position reports to the Vice President of Admissions and has dotted line oversight of the Admissions Counselor, Community Engagement and the Admissions Counselor, Events.

CORE DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads Educational Partnerships focusing on 7th-10th Grade pipeline development in the local community; oversees group tours from Middle/High Schools, Community Colleges, and CBOs.

• Develops transfer Articulation Agreements to grow enrollment from local colleges and builds relationships with Community College faculty and transfer advisors. Builds initiatives towards increasing pathways for high school students with dual enrollment transfer credit. Assists with the development of policies related to transfer credits, credit for prior learning and credit by examination. Collaborates with the Admissions Counselor, Transfer, on transfer initiatives.

• Manages and oversees Admissions special events such as Open Houses, Workshops, Congressional Art Awards, Portfolio Days, yield events, info sessions, exhibits and other yield events. Plans in-person events and meet-ups for accepted and deposited students throughout California. Collaborates with the Admissions Counselor, Events, and the Admissions events committee to ensure that events are successfully executed.

• Assists the Vice President of Admissions with developing strategic initiatives in Admissions and operationalizes strategies to increase pipeline development. Assists with establishing timelines and priorities for the Admissions team. Oversees the Admissions department in the absence of the Vice President of Admissions.

• Assess the effectiveness of pathway activities for increasing enrollment and diversity and ensures a data-centered approach to decision making. Evaluates existing strategies and modifies as needed.

• Leads relationship building and programming for our Community Partners and CBOs (Ryman Arts, Inner City Arts, Venice Arts, etc), as well as governmental organizations. Expands roster of community partners to increase student diversity and promote Otis’ undergraduate programs.

• Oversees relationships with Summer Art Programs (Otis SOA and CSSSA) and facilitates Admissions engagement, including events and portfolio reviews. Manages Admissions Key Schools scholarships to SOA program with the goal of increasing applications to the college. Works with partner schools to facilitate scholarship selection.

• Leads initiatives to develop Teacher/Counselor workshops and other initiatives to create greater awareness about Otis’ programs and faculty, as well as showcasing Otis’ facilities. Partners with labs and shops to create special content workshops that engage with technology and more advanced techniques. These workshops will be offered both in persona and virtual. Collaborates with the Admissions Counselor, Community Engagement and ensures that they are prepared to assist in leading these workshops.

• Leads first-generation college student and family initiatives to prepare students for their first semester at College. Produces parent workshops and communications for first-generation families.

• Creates and gives public presentations as part of outreach efforts working with the Associate Dean of Admissions to ensure consistency of messaging for all ages of students in the recruitment process.

• Develops alumni mentorship program to engage Otis alumni in recruitment activities and connect students with examples of success in the creative economy. Trains alumni that are assisting with recruitment events and outreach.

• Facilitates Alumni, Faculty and Chair Engagement with prospective and accepted students, such as call campaigns, email campaigns and on campus meet and greets. Also coordinates class visits for accepted students to see Otis faculty and students in the classroom. Manages Student Ambassadors for yield projects over the phone, by mail and email, as well as social media platforms.

• Tracks budgets for events and initiatives within the overall Admissions budget. Ensures that costs are reasonable and kept within designated limits.

• Assists with drafting email and text communication for events under their purview. Coordinates with Operations team to build event registration in Slate CRM.

• Develops comprehensive trainings for admissions counselors in collaboration with department leadership (recruitment training, presentation training, transfer training, yield training). Plans the annual Admissions staff retreat and coordinates the schedule and activities. Assists with the Recruitment Training each summer to prepare counselors for recruitment season. Helps build a team that empathizes and values each other’s ways of being, communication, doing and thinking and which embraces, integrates, and adapts to diverse cultural styles.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required with preference for art-related or design related fields. A minimum of 5 years of related work experience is required, particularly in a higher education environment, preferred. Previous experience in a management level position required. Must be able to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment. Excellent time management, customer-service skills, and interpersonal communication skills are required. Detail-oriented and self-motivated is a must. Effective written communication skills. Experience planning and managing events for large audiences is required. Must have demonstrated commitment to working with diverse populations of students, faculty, and staff. Demonstrated experience in and a commitment to diversity: the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with various constituencies within Otis’s diverse communities, internally and externally. Must be able to work efficiently, cooperatively and collaboratively in a team environment. Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to a changing work environment. Position requires high proficiency using Microsoft Office programs including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Occasional night and weekend work and local travel is required.

PREFERRED SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree preferred in higher education or art-related field
• Experience using a CRM, such as Slate
• Teaching experience in an art/design field
• Experience with marketing and communications preferred

Compensation Type: Annual Salary

Salary Range: 129,255.00 - 161,568.00

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics