Director of Talbot Admissions and Networking at Biola University

Job description

The Director of Talbot Admissions and Networking is a senior strategic leader responsible for Talbot’s admissions strategy, including building and strengthening partnerships that expand Talbot School of Theology’s impact, visibility, and enrollment. The role is Talbot’s strategic leader for admissions, sitting in a dual role, representing admissions to Talbot and Talbot to admissions. This role develops and sustains vital relationships with churches, denominations, mission agencies, alumni, and global ministry networks to create pathways for prospective students and enhance Talbot’s influence in the wider Christian community. Must be able and willing to travel regionally and throughout the U.S. and work before or after work hours and over weekends as needed The person will be an admissions director, with a dual role as part of the Talbot’s leadership team. The Director will serve a cross-functional role, coordinating admissions functions within Talbot (i.e. doctoral programs), working as a team member in admissions and coordinating with admissions counselors, and then collaborate across academic, enrollment, and advancement divisions to align recruitment, ministry partnerships, and institutional growth initiatives. The role requires vision, creativity, and the ability to position Talbot as the premier center for theological training that equips leaders for a changing church and world. Alignment with Theological Positions Alignment with Theological Positions: The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola’s Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles and who is supportive of the positions taken by Biola as contained in its Eschatology Teaching Position. As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola. Supervisor Reports jointly to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and the Dean of Talbot, reflecting shared leadership and strategic collaboration. Essential Duties 1. Admissions Leadership & Strategic Enrollment Planning ● Provides strategic leadership for admissions and enrollment initiatives in collaboration with Enrollment Management (EM) and Talbot leadership teams. ● Develops and implements data-informed enrollment strategies to attract, admit, and enroll qualified students in alignment with the seminary’s mission, financial objectives, and institutional priorities. ● Analyzes enrollment data and trends to forecast outcomes, set ambitious yet realistic targets, and inform decision-making. 2. Collaborative Enrollment Coordination ● Oversees Talbot’s recruitment and admissions funnel strategies in partnership with Talbot leadership and Enrollment Management, with a focus on sustainable enrollment growth. ● Collaborates with marketing, faculty, and academic coordinators to deliver a seamless, high-quality, and mission-centered applicant experience. 3. Recruitment and Relationship Building ● Builds partnerships with churches, denominations, networks, and undergraduate institutions to strengthen referral pipelines. ● Represents the seminary at events, conferences, and prospective student gatherings. 4. Admissions Operations, Best Practices, and Policy Alignment ● Promotes best practices in application review, admissions decision-making, and prospective student communication, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement. ● Ensures admissions policies, procedures, and practices align with institutional standards and campus-wide policies, supporting fair, consistent, and transparent processes. 5. Collaboration and Institutional Integration ● Works closely with Enrollment Management leaders, academic leadership, advancement, and marketing to align admissions strategies with broader institutional goals. ● Provides regular reports to senior leadership on admissions progress, challenges, and opportunities. Strategic Partnerships & External Relations ● Develops and sustains strateg