WittKieffer is proud to partner with Palo Alto University (PAU) to conduct the national search for their next Vice President for Enrollment Management (VPEM).

Palo Alto University is a private, nonprofit university in Silicon Valley focused for five decades on mental and behavioral health education. It offers undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and professional programs delivered online, hybrid, and in?person, combining rigorous academics with applied training. The University enrolls about 1,200 graduate students, supported by 51 faculty and 112 staff, operates a $41 million budget across its Palo Alto and Mountain View campuses.

Reporting directly to the President, the VPEM provides vision, direction, and executive oversight for PAU’s newly established Division of Enrollment Management, which integrates admissions, financial aid, registrar, and student success. Additionally, the VPEM is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive, integrated enrollment strategy that leverages data, analytics, technology, and market insight to drive recruitment, retention, and degree completion.  

The successful Vice President for Enrollment Management candidate will:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year enrollment strategy aligned with PAU’s mission, academic priorities, market position, and long-term financial goals.
• Use advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and market intelligence to inform enrollment planning, goal setting, and continuous performance improvement across the full enrollment lifecycle.
• Provide strategic leadership for undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional program recruitment, with particular emphasis on sustainable growth in graduate and professional enrollment aligned with PAU’s academic strengths and market opportunities.
• Provide strategic oversight of financial aid, scholarships, and institutional discounting to support enrollment goals, improve yield and retention, and balance access with long-term financial sustainability.
• Lead university-wide efforts to improve student retention, persistence, progression, and degree completion in close collaboration with Academic Affairs, Student Success, and academic programs.
• Strengthen operations, systems, and workflows across Admissions, Financial Aid, the Registrar, and Student Success to ensure consistency, efficiency, and a high-quality experience for prospective and current students.

The ideal candidate for this position should possess a Master’s Degree and a record of progressive leadership in enrollment management, admissions, or related student-facing functions, preferably in graduate or professional education. Candidates with experience outside of higher education with transferable skills and accomplishments relevant to customer acquisition are encouraged to apply.

The salary range for the role is anticipated to be between $240,000 - $290,000. The final hiring salary is commensurate with experience.

Please direct all applications, inquiries, and nominations to: Christy Pratt, Ethan Robles and Melody Rose, Ph.D., at: pauvpem@wittkieffer.com.