Southwestern University, a preeminent independent liberal arts University in Georgetown, Texas, announces the search for an experienced, energetic Vice President for Enrollment Management. Established in 1840 and recognized as the first University in Texas, Southwestern University is a thriving four-year undergraduate institution offering a top-ranked integrated arts and sciences curriculum that incorporates the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences.

The Opportunity

Reporting to President Laura Skandera Trombley, the Vice President for Enrollment Management will lead the University's comprehensive enrollment efforts and join an innovative and forward-thinking senior leadership team in championing the evolution of a vibrant university. Overseeing a team of 18 enrollment professionals in admissions and financial aid, the VPEM will guide the division and community in establishing and implementing a strategic enrollment plan that supports the University’s five-year tactical plan. The Vice President will foster a sophisticated, data-driven, and nimble enrollment management division capable of meeting enrollment goals, demonstrating a keen awareness of the marketplace, and being informed by the needs of students and families. The Vice President will be a passionate and tireless advocate for Southwestern University, building upon its national reputation for excellence and enhancing the University’s reach and recognition.

Full and up to date position announcement:  https://nessearches.com/vpem-southwestern/

Compensation

Southwestern University offers a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits, relocation assistance, and a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please speak with NES to learn more about the compensation range identified for this role. In this important leadership position, the successful candidate will have an active on-campus presence in Georgetown, Texas.

To Apply

NES, a higher education search firm specializing in enrollment management searches, is assisting Southwestern University in identifying the University’s next Vice President for Enrollment Management. For more information, or to nominate someone for this position, contact Catherine Capolupo (catherine.capolupo@nessearches.com) or Laura Robinson (laura.robinson@nessearches.com). All conversations will remain confidential unless otherwise stated and agreed. Interested candidates should submit a résumé and a letter of interest describing their unique qualifications for the Vice President for Enrollment Management position at Southwestern University. Candidates should also provide the names and contact information of at least five professional references. For confidentiality, references will not be contacted without permission. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted electronically to Southwestern@nessearches.com for best consideration by January 28, 2026. The position is campus-based, and the preferred start date is no later than June 1, 2026.

All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

In compliance with immigration laws, proof of work authorization in the United States will be required when employment begins. Southwestern University is an E-Verify employer. Southwestern University is an equal-opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at hr@southwestern.edu.

Skills, Abilities and Characteristics

Candidates for this position should have at least 10 years of enrollment management experience in a college or university setting, with 5 years in a senior-level enrollment leadership role. In addition to a record of enrollment success, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to build a best-in-class enrollment management division. A strong appreciation and demonstrated understanding of the institution's liberal arts mission are strongly desired. A bachelor’s degree is required, while an advanced degree in a related field is strongly preferred.

In addition, the chosen candidate should demonstrate the following skills, abilities, and understanding:

• Experienced in the collaborative development of an institutional strategic enrollment plan, short-term initiatives, and supporting tactics with the ability to effectively communicate goals, plans, benchmarks, analysis, and outcomes across an invested campus community.
• Strategically deft, with the ability to analyze, interpret, and present relevant information and data in a manner that supports decision-making, educates, and engages collaborators; adept at using data as a catalyst for action, and committed to evaluation and articulation of outcomes.
• Nuanced understanding of today's competitive enrollment environment, the evolving marketplace, and public perceptions of higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to build a culture of enrollment management and engage campus constituents in the recruitment of students; proven ability to develop rapport and work collaboratively with faculty to bring forward the best of Southwestern in the shared effort of recruiting and retaining students.
• Skilled change manager, able to inspire and motivate others through transitions and build trust and knowledge among colleagues and between teams.
• Engaged problem solver with an institutional mindset, willing to work in concert to achieve shared goals.
• ?History of success in assisting and/or developing effective pricing, merit, and financial aid models.
• Commitment to exceptional customer service and ability to address barriers to enrollment for students and families.
• Creative and energetic with an entrepreneurial mindset, demonstrated by an ability to lead the creation and implementation of innovative strategies with agility.
• Focused and flexible with the ability to prioritize and execute across competing and complex initiatives, and execute in a changing environment and evolving marketplace.
• Deeply experienced in the management, evaluation, and oversight of vendor partners with the ability to maximize impact and invest judiciously.
• Outstanding communication skills and a skilled storyteller, including the ability to persuasively convey Southwestern’s academic distinctions and community differentiators to prospective students, families, as well as college counselors and peers within the marketplace.
• Understanding of NCAA regulations for Division III athletics and the ability to build partnerships with coaches and athletic administrators to facilitate the strategic recruitment of student-athletes.
• Ability to assess the use of technology and guide teams in leveraging, implementing, and maximizing technology.
• Skilled budget manager who can allocate and manage resources effectively to achieve the greatest result possible.
• Substantial leadership experience, including successful performance management, staff recruitment, development, and management.
• Sincere and personal commitment to the mission of and vision for Southwestern University, a willingness to persevere, and a desire to build authentic and long-term relationships with colleagues, students, and alumni.
• Relentless in the pursuit of key goals, with the ability to foster an equally dedicated and sophisticated enrollment management team.