Department
Admissions
Position Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director of Admissions, the Director of Admissions Communications, Marketing and Events provides strategic leadership for undergraduate recruitment marketing, communications, web, social media, campus visits, and recruitment events. The position leads the development and execution of an integrated, data-informed marketing, communications and engagement strategy designed to strengthen the university's brand and awareness, generate and nurture prospective student interest, increase applications and yield, and drive enrollment across the undergraduate recruitment funnel.
Working in close partnership with University Communications and Marketing (UCM), Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs and other campus partners, the Director translates institutional enrollment priorities and goals into targeted, coordinated and compelling communications, marketing, and engagement strategies for prospective students, applicants, admitted students, families, school counselors, CC advisors and other key influencers. The position serves as a strategic leader and brand steward, ensuring that MSU Denver's distinctive value proposition, including its commitment to meeting students where they are and providing an affordable, transformative education is consistently reflected across recruitment communications and experiences.
The Director provides leadership and direction to a team responsible for admissions communications and marketing, admissions website, campus visits and events, social media channels, and student ambassador programming. The position leverages enrollment data, market research, Slate CRM capabilities and emerging industry practices to identify opportunities, improve engagement and optimize recruitment and yield strategies throughout the enrollment cycle.
The successful candidate will be a strategic, creative and data-informed leader with strong knowledge of the undergraduate admissions funnel; exceptional communication and project management skills; experience developing and executing integrated marketing and recruitment strategies and tactics; and the ability to lead collaboratively across a complex university environment. The Director must be adaptable and forward-thinking, with an understanding of emerging trends in student recruitment communications, strategic search, web, digital marketing, social media engagement, Slate CRM technology and ethical admissions practices.
IND208
Duties and Responsibilities
35% - Strategic Recruitment Communications and Enrollment Marketing
Develop, implement and continuously evaluate an integrated, multi-channel communications strategy aligned with institutional and Office of Admissions recruitment and yield goals. Develop differentiated communication strategies for priority populations (i.e. first-time, transfer, re-admit, etc.) and stages of the enrollment funnel, including prospective students, applicants, and newly admitted students.
Use enrollment data, market research, Slate CRM analytics and campaign performance metrics to identify opportunities, establish communication priorities and recommend strategic adjustments throughout the recruitment cycle. Develop strategies that leverage email, print, digital, web, social media and other emerging channels to increase inquiry, application, admission, yield and new student enrollment outcomes.
Lead the development of the annual admissions communication strategy and calendar, ensuring communications are coordinated, appropriately sequenced and aligned with recruitment strategies and priorities. Oversee the strategic use of Slate CRM and other technology to support audience segmentation, personalization, automation, testing and campaign optimization.
Establish performance measures and regularly assess campaign effectiveness, including engagement, conversion and enrollment outcomes. Manage communications-related budgets and make strategic recommendations regarding resource allocation, vendors and external partners.
30% - Team Leadership, Visits, Events and Student Engagement
Lead and supervise the Communications, Visits and Events team, establishing clear priorities, performance expectations and accountability. Oversee the planning and execution of high-impact experiences, including open houses, admitted student events, school counselor and CC advisor events, next steps events and other recruitment events and programs.
Evaluate the effectiveness of events and engagement activities using participation, conversion, yield and new student enrollment data and make recommendations to improve return on investment. Develop partnerships with faculty, staff, students, alumni and external partners to create authentic experiences for students that demonstrate the value of an MSU Denver education and bolster the recruitment effort.
Provide strategic direction for the student ambassador program and Welcome Desk and ensure ambassadors are effectively integrated into the prospective student recruitment effort and experience.
20% - Cross-Campus Collaboration, Marketing Partnerships and Resource Management
Collaborate closely with UCM to translate institutional brand strategy into recruitment-focused communication campaigns, creative assets, publications, digital advertising and other marketing initiatives.
Partner with Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Athletics, Alumni, Online Learning and other university units to coordinate recruitment communications and marketing to ensure alignment with institutional new student enrollment goals and priorities.
Provide strategic direction to external enrollment marketing and consulting partners, including establishing priorities, evaluating deliverables and assessing performance and return on investment.
Manage the visit and events budget and make strategic resource allocation decisions based on return on investment, including attendee application and enrollment yield.
10% - Digital Recruitment, Web Strategy and Brand Stewardship
Provide strategic oversight of admissions website content, social media engagement, and digital recruitment in collaboration with UCM and appropriate campus partners. Ensure admissions digital and social media content is student-centered, current, accessible, compelling and aligned with recruitment priorities and the university brand.
Use web analytics, student behavior and enrollment data to identify opportunities to improve the prospective student digital experience and conversion throughout the enrollment funnel.
Serve as a brand steward for the Office of Admissions, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment across admissions marketing, communications, digital experiences, publications, social media channels, events and recruitment materials.
5% - Strategic Planning, Assessment and Continuous Improvement and other duties as assigned
Contribute to Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management strategic planning, assessment and continuous improvement initiatives. Monitor emerging trends, technologies and best practices in recruitment marketing, communications, visits and events to identify opportunities to strengthen the university's competitive position.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Position Competencies
Champions CADRE values-based leadership and creates a positive workplace culture, by setting expectations, eliciting feedback and coaching across departments, ensuring accountability and excelling in conflict management.
Aligns operations across teams by optimizing resources, maintaining compliance, and empowering leaders to deliver consistent, measurable outcomes.
Translates University strategy into coordinated action by guiding decision-making, prioritizing initiatives, and adjusting plans to drive long-term progress.
Builds cross-functional partnerships, sha
