Job Details

Director of Undergraduate Admissions - #001393

Position Number: 9772774
Location: Cullowhee, United States
Position Type: Admissions/Enrollment

Director of Undergraduate Admissions - #001393

Western Carolina University

Department: Admissions

About WCU: Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.
Position Summary: The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

The Director of Undergraduate Admissions provides strategic and operational leadership for undergraduate admissions and is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that recruit, admit, enroll, and support the successful transition of a qualified, talented, and diverse undergraduate student body. The director leads recruitment and yield efforts for first-year, transfer, returning, and other designated undergraduate populations and works collaboratively with campus partners whose functions affect the enrollment experience.

The director develops and manages a comprehensive strategic recruitment and enrollment plan aligned with Western Carolina University's mission, strategic priorities, and UNC System policies and regulations. The director uses enrollment data, market research, technology, and assessment to establish goals; evaluate enrollment funnel performance; develop projections and forecasts; identify emerging markets and opportunities; and adjust strategies in response to demographic, competitive, economic, and policy changes.

The director provides leadership for admissions operations, technology, communications, policy, budgets, staff development, compliance, assessment, and continuous process improvement. The director is responsible for ensuring prospective students and families receive timely, accurate, personalized, and student-centered information and service from initial inquiry through matriculation.

The director develops and maintains strong campus and external partnerships and collaborates with academic units, Financial Aid, University Scholarships, the Registrar, Orientation, Marketing and Communications, student success units, Institutional Research, Information Technology, high schools, community colleges, counselors, advisors, alumni, and other partners. The director is responsible for developing and overseeing programming and disseminating timely and accurate information to high school counselors, community college advisors, and Cat Eyes Alumni members to support recruitment, referral, and enrollment goals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong communication skills with the ability to engage students, families, counselors, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators.
Strong analytical, organizational, and technology skills related to admissions operations and enrollment management.
Ability to explain complex higher education concepts clearly and market the institution effectively.
Strong interpersonal, public speaking, writing, collaboration, multitasking, creative thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Commitment to high standards, quality service, and professional ethics.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:
Minimum Qualifications:

Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support
Master's degree from a regionally accredited university
Extensive college admission experience (a minimum of five years) including increasingly complex responsibilities in leadership positions
Strategic recruitment expertise with demonstrated success in meeting enrollment targets
Demonstrated experience developing recruitment strategies, yield initiatives, and lead-generation partnerships

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior leadership experience in undergraduate admissions, enrollment management, or a closely related area.
Experience using admissions CRM and student information systems, such as Slate and Banner.
Active involvement in state, regional, or national admissions/enrollment organizations.
Experience representing an institution at recruitment events, professional meetings, and system-level meetings.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants: Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

To complete the application process, please include a cover letter, your current resume, and a list of at least three professional references with their complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact: Mike Langford at malangford@email.wcu.edu
AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35082