Assistant Director of Outreach, Admissions, and Communications

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Outreach, Admissions, and Communications is a member of the leadership team within the Office of Social Work Student Services, Operations & Finance (OSWSS-OF) in the Department of Social Work at MSU Denver. The Assistant Director works in collaboration with the Director of OSWSS-OF, the Associate Director of Student Services, the Department Chair of the Social Work department, the Director of Field Education, and the Program Directors for the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs, along with other University partners. The Assistant Director reports to the Director of OSWSS-OF.

With guidance and support from the Director of OSWSS-OF and the Chair of the Social Work Department, the Assistant Director of Outreach, Admissions, and Communications provides leadership in the areas of undergraduate and graduate recruiting, marketing, communications, admissions, alumni engagement, data management and analysis. The activities performed by the Assistant Director are central to creating an inclusive, student-focused experience for prospective and new students interested in studying Social Work at MSU Denver, while also working to increase student enrollment and improving yield rates of MSU Denver students and increasing access to higher education. Through a collaborative and integrated approach, the Assistant Director coordinates job functions in a holistic way ensuring contributions are well integrated into other service areas. The Assistant Director works in close partnership with the Associate Director of Student Services and Enrollment Management on projections, enrollment, and student engagement efforts.

The Assistant Director of Outreach, Admissions, and Communications supervises the Outreach & Events Coordinator, who is responsible for events management including academic conferences, workshops, student orientation, student engagement and graduation events. The Assistant Director also oversees the department's social media and supervises the Social Media Graduate Assistant. The Assistant Director serves as a project team lead to members of the OSWSS-OF team in the areas of marketing and communications, recruiting and admissions, student engagement and events, and alumni engagement.

The Assistant Director of Outreach, Admissions, and Communications position requires working with undergraduate and graduate social work students who are studying online, in-person, or a combination of both. All responsibilities of the Assistant Director are expected to consider the different program levels and modalities.

Responsibilities

Outreach & Communications - 30%

• Understand the student journey to guide strategic communication and outreach strategies that are program (undergraduate or graduate) specific.
• Build and maintain a robust prospective student communication plan, including drip campaigns for the MSW program using Slate, that help move students through the admissions funnel.
• Work together with the university admissions team to build limited but impactful social work department specific communications to engage prospective pre-social work and BSSW program students.
• Provide guidance and oversight on communications sent to current undergraduate social work students to encourage application to the BSSW program and MSW program.
• Work together with the Social Work Student Services team to build communication campaigns to engage community college transfer students, to ensure seamless transfer.
• Oversee the development and output of the Student and Alumni Newsletters.
• Coordinate the Social Work department's support of MSU Denver Admissions and Graduate Studies led outreach events such as MSU Denver Days at community colleges, Graduate School Fair, and HS College and Career fairs.
• Design and facilitate prospective student outreach events that highlight the powerful work of social workers and engage students.
• Build relationships with community partners, area community colleges, and high schools to build awareness of the social work profession, and the social work programs at MSU Denver.
• Supervise the Outreach & Events Coordinator who is responsible for large department events including 3 conferences.
• Work with the OSWSS Student Services-OF team to coordinate the BSSW Senior Celebration and MSW Pinning & Hooding Ceremony events; and to design and implement fall and spring orientation style events for social work students.

Admissions Process Management & Prospective Student Support - 25%

• Maintain a high-level understanding of the admissions criteria, processes, and policies for pre-social work, BSSW program, and MSW program students.
• Maintain a high-level understanding of MSU Denver undergraduate and graduate admissions policies and procedures for domestic and international students.
• Provide front end customer service and support to prospective and current social work students seeking information about the department, the BSSW or MSW program, or the admissions process for either program.
• Manage the main Social Work student services email inbox which receives a wide variety of incoming questions and requests.
• Provide follow-up communication to all prospective social work students across the programs, ensuring optimal customer service and support.
• Coordinate and lead events specifically related to admissions to the MSW program such as lunch break chats, faculty panels, something new.
• Assists non-degree seeking students with the admissions process.
• Develop a process for campus visits for prospective students that include student to student interaction and faculty meetings.
  

Marketing, Social Media, and Website Management - 20%

• Oversee the Social Work department's website ensuring brand stewardship, accessibility, and user experience.
• Ensure brand stewardship and enforcement across the department, including review of all Social Work department giveaways.
• Identify the points of distinction for the Social Work department at MSU Denver, and work to amplify the department's strengths.
• Oversee departmental social media accounts with a focus on the student voice and the impact of social workers and social work at MSU Denver and within the community.
• Inform and facilitate strategies for paid advertising.

Data Management & Reporting - 20%

The Assistant Director of Outreach, Admissions, and Communications is responsible for maintaining an advanced understanding of university reporting tools, data management, and reporting for the purposes of strategic leadership and guidance. The Assistant Director is expected to:

• Serve as the main point of contact for all data tracking and reporting related to the admissions funnel, applicants, student engagement efforts, events, website and communications performance.
• Use national, university, and departmental data to design strategic communication and outreach strategies.
• Maintain admission data, yield, and melt rates for new MSU Denver undergraduate students (freshmen and transfer) who are coming in as pre-social work or BSSW program students.
• Track application, admit, yield, and melt rates for the MSW program, and maintains point in cycle data tracking and reporting.
• Create data that can be used for grant reporting, grant applications, annual reports, assessment reports, accreditation reports and self-studies, and other official departmental reports and communication.
• Utilize data systems such as, but not limited to, Banner, SSC Navigate, Slate, Enterprise Data Warehouse, and Degree Works.
• Participate in managing and maintaining data systems, analyzing data, drawing data-informed conclusions, and writing reports.

Special Projects, Professional Development, and Other Duties as Assigned - 5%

Job Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies

• Exceptional organizational, planning, analytical, and technical skills with a strong attention to detail
• Experience and sensitivity to the educational needs of a diverse urban population including first generation college students and historically under-served populations
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a collaborative team
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Computer and technological proficiency with the ability to learn new systems, software, and tools

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum 5 years of administrative experience in higher education with increasing responsibility
• Direct experience working in admissions, recruitment, student success, or related area
• Experience designing multi-channel outreach campaigns
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with internal and external partners
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Canva
• Experience working in Slate or related CRM/Application System

Important Note: Successful applicants will ensure their resumes clearly demonstrate that their work experience describes how they meet all required qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education or related field
• Experience working in Banner or related Student Information System Experience with website design and user experience
• Experience working in admissions
• Experience with designing systems that support integrated strategic enrollment management across the life cycle
  

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. We are most interested in finding the candidate who will best contribute to our Department and the University.

Schedule Information

• Full-time, 40 hours per week
• Exempt
• Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Evenings and Weekend Work: Occasionally as needed
• Schedule: Hybrid schedule requiring in person work with the flexibility of some remote work opportunities (subject to supervisor approval)
• Travel: Some travel may be necessary to community colleges and high schools that may be up to three hours away from the Auraria Campus

Salary for Announcement

Under Colorado law, MSU Denver is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The anticipated hiring range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $63,000 - $68,000.

This position is paid monthly and is eligible for MSU Denver benefits.

How to Apply

Electronic submissions are required. Please apply by visiting https://msudenver.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/MSUDenverand searching for JR103310.

Candidates must submit the following required documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Deadline

Applications accepted until position filled; priority given to applications received by Monday, December 23, 2024.

Open Until Filled

The University's benefits package is comprehensive and offers medical, vision and dental, free RTD pass, tuition reimbursement, as well as a life and supplemental insurance plans, retirement plans and other programs, such as accessto a long-term disability (LTD) plan.Visit MSU Denver'sbenefits websiteto learn more.

For a brief overview, please see: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MSU-Benefit-Summary.pdf.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at totalrewards@msudenver.edu.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 58% first generation students and over 50% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.