Assistant Vice President of Graduate Admissions Initiatives at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA

Job description

The Opportunity Lesley University is seeking an experienced Graduate Admissions leader to join our team as the Assistant Vice President of Graduate Admissions Initiatives (AVP). This is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Graduate Admissions team. The AVP leads the execution of data-driven, student-centered recruitment strategies designed to expand graduate recruitment pipelines, improve conversion rates, and achieve established enrollment goals. The AVP will collaborate with academic leadership, institutional stakeholders, and external partners to advance the University's graduate enrollment goals. The AVP provides leadership and oversight for graduate recruitment, admissions operations, team performance, and prospective student engagement. Additionally, the AVP will work closely with the Vice President of Enrollment Initiatives, to identify new enrollment opportunities, strengthen recruitment strategies and partnerships, enhance recruitment channels, and implement data-informed initiatives to support and sustainable graduate enrollment growth. Qualities & Capabilities A successful candidate will have: A Master's degree in, higher education administration, public administration, business administration or a related field. 7+ years of enrollment management experience at the director level or higher, with a demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding enrollment goals. Experience leading graduate admissions or enrollment management operations within a private university, experience at a similar institution, is preferred. Strong knowledge of current higher education trends, enrollment challenges, and best practices in graduate admissions and recruitment. Demonstrated expertise in enrollment data analysis, CRM platforms, and admissions funnel management to inform recruitment strategies and improve conversion rates. Proven ability to lead, supervise, coach, and develop a diverse team of enrollment professionals while fostering accountability and a collaborative, results-oriented environment. Experience working with external strategic partners, recruitment vendors, and consulting agencies to support enrollment initiatives. Demonstrated ability to lead and contribute effectively to a team-oriented environment, building strong relationships across academic and administrative departments. Strong initiative, organizational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities, projects, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Excellent public speaking, presentation, relationship-building, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with prospective students, faculty, institutional leadership, and external partners. Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, resolve conflicts, and respond professionally to sensitive situations. Commitment to advancing the University's mission, vision, and values through collaborative leadership and student-centered enrollment practices. Why Lesley Located in the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley University is highly regarded for its graduate and undergraduate programs in the human arts of education, the arts, and applied social sciences. Lesley fosters a highly creative environment in which innovative ideas thrive, theory is integrated with practice and its 6,400 students and 90,000 alumni are empowered to improve and enrich communities. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance. In addition, we offer significant paid time off, a generous retirement plan, and tuition programs that enable employees and their dependents to expand their knowledge and skills. Lesley is committed to the ongoing pursuit of strategic diversity initiatives that help to position diversity, equity, and inclusion as fundamental to institutional and academic excellence at Lesley. In doing so, Lesley strives for a campus culture and community that