Vice President For Enrollment Management

Transylvania University, a private liberal arts college, seeks an experienced, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as its next Vice President for Enrollment Management (VPEM). Building on the University's long institutional history, a reputation for academic excellence, and a strong sense of community on campus, the next Vice President will help lead Transylvania into a new era of success and distinction.

Located in the heart of downtown Lexington, Kentucky, Transylvania University features a personalized approach to undergraduate education through 46 liberal arts majors. Founded in 1780, it is the 16th oldest institution of higher learning in the country with approximately 1,000 students. Enrollment has increased 8 percent since before the pandemic from both new students and improved retention rates. Transylvania has a deep commitment to the liberal arts and has been on the move with new facilities, an increasingly diverse student body, and recognized distinction in student outcomes including notably high rates of acceptance to professional schools.

The VPEM reports to the President and works with the Cabinet as well as with faculty, staff, students, and regional leaders to build on the strengths of the University and honor the institution's long history while preparing Transylvania for a future that embraces innovation. The Vice President is expected to be a visible and highly energetic leader on campus who will ensure that Transylvania enhances its academic distinction, meets its enrollment goals, diversifies its ranks, and preserves the passion and strong sense of community that has fueled the University's evolution. The ideal candidate will be a strong strategic and administrative leader with experience in enrollment marketing, fiscal management, and admissions operations as Transylvania approaches its 250th year.

The Vice President for Enrollment Management (VPEM, hereafter simply VP) provides leadership, management, and coordination of strategic initiatives and emerging priorities as an extension of the Office of the President. The VP reports directly to the President and is a member of the President's Cabinet. The VP is as a key member of the executive management team and provides strategic counsel to the President and Cabinet.

The VP provides the University with nimble executive leadership and liaises with other senior campus officials. The VP provides expertise to the President, is supported by other senior level leaders, and works with all constituencies to realize Transy's Mission and Strategic Plan. The VP is primarily responsible for Enrollment Management and is significantly engaged in regard to the University's efforts involving Strategic Planning and Marketing.

The many facets of the VP's role and responsibilities are connected by the central goal of growing enrollment and revenue at Transy by developing and conveying resources and opportunities that will attract an outstanding student body and deliver an exceptional undergraduate education.

This executive leadership role will serve as a key part of a strategic team working to enhance the Applicant-to-Alumni Experience and provide a cohesive and connected experience through all phases from the admissions and enrollment process through graduation.

The VP is engaged with the University's central marketing activities to attract and inform prospective students and families as well as promoting strong and responsive relationships between the University and the communities it serves. The VP has responsibility for the positioning of the University for prospective students and families as well as those who can help Transy recruit and develop outstanding people. The VP's activities support Transy's strategic priorities and advance institutional objectives. The VP also seeks to build partnerships with individuals and organizations who share Transy's vision and mission.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as one of the key strategic advisors to the Transy Board of Trustees and the President. Executes Transy's strategic priorities in collaboration with the President and the President's Cabinet and broader leadership teams.

• Advances Transy's Strategic Plan by serving as a university and higher education industry leader. Provides guidance in all matters related to enrollment. Provides key input on marketing, curricular and co-curricular planning in coordination with Academic Affairs, Marketing and Communications, and Student Affairs Leadership.

• Oversees and provides managerial direction and coordination of the functions of the Office of Admissions and organizing events related to these programs. Ensures that goals and objectives are appropriately formulated and met.

• Serves as coach/mentor to the Enrollment Team by providing the necessary training and strategic direction to maximize new student enrollment.

• Uses a data informed approach to maximize enrollment budgets. Ensures that the budget is developed, implemented, and monitored in support of University goals and objectives.

• Is responsible for selecting, cultivating, empowering, directing and evaluating an effective, cohesive team that sets and fulfills clear, ambitious and achievable goals in each area of responsibility to ensure a dynamic, entrepreneurial, goal-oriented team.

• Is responsible for selecting and managing a strong and appropriate set of vendors and external partners to reach goals and steward resources effectively.

• Maintains effective relationships and interacts on a regular basis with both internal and external constituencies in direct support of the President's strategic priorities and agenda.

• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, networking and professional development.

• Provides accurate and timely information to other University departments, personnel, students and the public as necessary.

• Assures adherence to state and federal regulations and relevant accreditation standards.

• Maintains an understanding of the educational programs, co-curricular experiences, and operational functions of the University and appropriately implements University policies, procedures and guidelines.

• Strengthens the University's ties by reinforcing existing relationships and building new relationships with alumni, donors, business leaders, governments, media and institutions.

• Serves in a principal liaison capacity with external and internal constituencies, including Board of Trustees, Board of Regents, advisory boards, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, friends, community partners, schools, and other external entities to enhance and develop financial, human and community support, and to expand the visibility and reputation of Transy.

• Works with various campus offices to collect, analyze, and interpret prospective student and family interaction data to identify requirements and information useful in optimizing their experiences with the University.

• Works closely with the Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness (whose responsibilities include oversight of Financial Aid) to ensure an effective and optimal set of policies and procedures for awarding scholarships and aid.

• Defines and implements standards/procedures for ensuring optimal experiences for prospective students and their families, school counselors and independent college counselors. Helps define and establish a standard for these experiences across the campus.

• Liaises with communications, athletics, advancement, academic affairs, student life, financial aid, and other units to analyze prospective student and family feedback and develop programs effective for improved experiences.

Transylvania University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and recognizes the value of historically excluded and underrepresented backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that enrich the university's environment for colleagues and students alike. We are committed to enhancing the diversity of the university community and encourage all who are interested to apply.

To begin the application process, submit your cover letter to the attention of Bill O'Brien, HR Director, stating your qualifications and interest and clicking the "Apply For This Position" button below. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by July 15, 2024.