As the Director of Undergraduate Recruitment at Tarleton State University you will play a dynamic role in leading innovative recruitment initiatives that align with our next-level enrollment goals. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of University Recruitment, this position provides strategic leadership to a dedicated team across multiple campuses and locations. This role requires proactive problem solving, advanced data analysis, and the ability to make confident, forward-thinking decisions that drive measurable results.
If youâ™re passionate about making a tangible impact and leading a team to new heights, we look forward to hearing from you. This is your chance to be a key player in the future of Tarleton State University and help us shape the next generation of Tarleton State Texans! This position is located in Stephenville and requires occasional travel to our multiple campus locations. General working hours are Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM-5:00 PM or as work requirements indicate. Must be able to work remotely at the request of the University.
Responsibilities
Strategic Recruitment Initiatives
Lead the development and implementation of data-informed recruitment strategies that support enrollment of key populations, including new first-time, transfer, first-generation, high-ability, non-traditional, out-of-state, international, veteran, and other identified student groups.Â
Identify emerging markets and design recruitment efforts that resonate with an ever-changing student population, while balancing attention across all undergraduate programs and campus locations (Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan, Online).
Work closely with Enrollment Management and university-wide cross-functional teams to ensure that comprehensive information, materials, and resources, are intentionally curated and shared with prospective students throughout each stage of the enrollment funnel.
Operations and Management
Leverage lead generating technologies and engagement platforms to identify and tap into new markets, expanding the universityâ™s reach and visibility.
Consistently review and report progress toward recruitment goals and use data to inform strategic adjustments. Assess recruitment processes, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementation of best practices to streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with contracted enrollment partners, university stakeholders, and school officials to foster collaboration and support recruitment efforts.
Oversee departmental budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to maximize recruitment impact while maintaining fiscal responsibility. This includes expenses related to recruitment travel, contracted platforms, print materials, exhibitor registration fees, fleet vehicle maintenance, and other essential operational needs.
Team Leadership and Development
Lead, mentor, and inspire a growth mindset within a geographical team, providing direct supervision to Assistant Directors (2) located at the Fort Worth and Waco Campuses, and a Stephenville Campus based Senior Recruitment Coordinator (1). Support team leaders in supervising recruitment staff, including Recruitment Coordinators, Admissions Counselors, and student interns. The Director of Undergraduate Recruitment is responsible for approximately 20 departmental staff members.
Drive the hiring, and retention of top-tier talent within the department, ensuring a strong and motivated team that is well-equipped to meet the universityâ™s recruitment objectives.
Establish annual goals and performance metrics for the recruitment team, regularly assessing progress and making data-informed adjustments to optimize outreach and event strategies.
Other
Take on special projects and initiatives as assigned with an eye toward optimizing our recruitment and enrollment success.
Stay current with trends in higher education recruitment and enrollment management, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the team.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelors degree in public relations, marketing or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ten years of progressively responsible experience related to public relations, marketing, admissions, and/or recruitment with at least two years of supervisory experience.
Three years of work experience in higher education.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Leadership and Critical Thinking: Proven leadership skills with the ability to make informed decisions and solve complex problems effectively.
Data Proficiency: Advanced capabilities in data manipulation, analysis, and reporting, with a focus on using data to drive recruitment strategies.
Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex information to audiences.
Organizational Skills: Exceptional organizational abilities with a keen attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in all tasks.
Territory Management Expertise: In-depth understanding of territory management, particularly within Texas markets, to optimize recruitment efforts.
Higher Ed Technology: Extensive knowledge of CRM systems, higher education platforms, and related information technologies. Experience with Salesforce, SMS-Magic, Encoura, College Board, Niche, Ellucian Banner, and/or Capture Higher Ed is highly desired.
Digital Literacy: Adept at leveraging digital tools and platforms to enhance recruitment efficiency and outreach efforts.
Curious Learner: A continuous learner eager to stay current with industry trends, explore new tools and technologies, and apply innovative solutions to recruitment challenges.
Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build and maintain relationships across various levels of the organization.
Strong Work Ethic: Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and take initiative in a rapidly evolving environment.
Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.
Adaptability: Willingness to work a flexible schedule beyond standard office hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, as required.
Off-Site Event Management: Proven expertise in planning, coordinating, and executing in-person and virtual recruitment events, ensuring seamless operations and maximizing engagement with prospective students, families, and school officials.
Preferred Knowledge and Experience:Â
Masterâ™s degree in a related field.
Five years of supervisory experience and five years of higher education experience, preferably in enrollment management.
Salary:
Commensurate with experience
The target base annual salary is commensurate with experience and may be negotiable based on funding availability and candidate experience/skillset in relation to the minimum requirements of this position. Tarleton State University offers a career filled with purpose and opportunity in addition to competitive wages. As part of the Tarleton family, the following benefits are also available to full time and qualifying part time employees:
Educational Benefits - employee perks that help enrich, grow, and foster career and professional development:
Tarleton’s VisionTarleton State University will be the premier comprehensive regional university in the nation, dedicated to education, service and research. It is committed to being a university of opportunity for all students and believes it has a responsibility to drive regional innovation and job creation for all graduates.About Tarleton State UniversityTarleton’s innovative and transformative approach provides more than knowledge. Through real-world experiences and effective teaching, research, scholarship and service, students gain the know-how for promising careers, no matter their field of study.Tarleton has evolved into the near-perfect model of size, academic scope and affordability. Founded in 1899 and part of The Texas A&M University System since 1917, it combines the resources of a major public institution — more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, cutting-edge academic facilities, faculty experts — with its own brand of personal attention, history and community to be a first-choice destination for students across North Texas and beyond.Students can choose to study in one of seven colleges — Agricultural and Environmental, Business Administration, Educ...ation, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences and Human Services, Liberal and Fine Arts, and Science and Technology.The primary campus is in Stephenville, which consistently ranks as one of the best small towns in America. Additional locations are in Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and Bryan, complemented by a fully online Global Campus.Students come to Tarleton from around the world, representing some 30 countries and nearly every state in the U.S., and leave as moral, ethical thinkers with civility and integrity who contribute meaningfully to a global society.Tarleton State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer. Students may select areas of study from six colleges: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences and Human Services, Liberal and Fine Arts, and Science and Technology.More than 60 bachelor's programs and 30 graduate degrees, featuring doctoral studies in educational leadership, have led more than 13,000 students from 45 states and more than 20 foreign countries to make Tarleton State their collective choice for a college education.Tarleton's research centers are daily searching for solutions to global problems. For instance, the Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research conducts analyses to address environmental issues facing the state and nation, while the Southwest Regional Dairy Center, using an almost $1 million grant, is working on ways to turn animal waste into a viable energy source.Tarleton's blueprints for a brighter-than-ever future include a new applied sciences building with engineering laboratory space on campus in Stephenville, a new academic building on the university's planned 80-acre Fort Worth campus near Chisolm Trail Parkway, and $24 million in upgrades and improvements to the institution's venerable Memorial Stadium.Tarleton State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.