Director, Admissions and Recruitment

Job Title
Director, Admissions and Recruitment

Requisition #
999462

Job Type
Permanent (for any group)

Position End Date (if applicable)

Location:
MRU Main Campus – Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)

Posting
About MRU
Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, nearly 15,000 credit students choose from 12 bachelor degrees and 36 majors.
Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is “Mohkinstsis,” which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.
Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

About Services to Students
The Students portfolio at Mount Royal broadly encompasses Student Affairs, Enrolment Services, and International Education, delivering support and services that are inextricably linked with the teaching and learning outcomes academic departments are tasked with achieving. We support the University’s mission by assisting students, staff and faculty through a variety of departments, including: Admissions and Recruitment, Residence Services, the Office of the Registrar (Academic Scheduling; Records, Registration, and Student Awards and Financial Aid), Student Learning Services, Access and Inclusion Services, Career Services, the Office of Student Community Standards, the Office of Student Success, Wellness Services, Cougars Athletics and Recreation, the Iniskim Centre, International Education, Student Systems and Communications, and Strategic Enrolment Data.

About the Role
Reporting to the Vice-Provost and AVP, Students the Director of Admissions and Recruitment has strategic and functional responsibility for Admissions and Recruitment which is comprised of three distinct but interrelated business units: Student Recruitment (Domestic and International), Admissions and Transfer Articulation with 25 full time staff, four direct reports, and a total budget of $2 plus million.
The primary purpose of this position is: to facilitate the recruitment of domestic and international students to Mount Royal by providing strategic direction to student recruitment, including the development and analysis of institutional recruitment plans as well as recruitment strategy and approach (targets markets, special populations, geographical areas, recruitment model, etc.); to ensure policy based, industry standard and efficient admission procedures are in place to determine admissibility for domestic and international applications to all undergraduate and occupational programs including Mount Royal degree, diploma, certificate and access programming; and to ensure accurate, timely and industry standard transfer articulation policies and procedures including working with the Alberta Council for Admission and Transfer (ACAT) and other post-secondary institutions in Alberta.
This position includes participation on several institution-wide standing and adhoc committees to oversee enrolment planning, recruitment marketing, and admission. The incumbent is responsible for decision making on out of the norm situations to resolve escalated student concerns and to ensure the timeliness and accuracy of the processing of applications. The position has a high level of complex work daily with pressure to meet but not exceed admission targets, work under tight timelines and lead all units through change management when new academic programs, systems or institutional changes result.

Responsibilities

• Meet institutional enrolment targets through effective student recruitment and admission practices, data analysis and superb understanding of applicant trends by program
• Provide strategic direction to facilitate effective recruitment strategies within designated target markets both domestic and international
• Work with external groups and individuals such as guidance counsellors, career practitioners, teachers, Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT), Educational Liaison Association of Alberta (ELAA), Alberta International Educator’s Forum, prospective students, parents, influencers and alumni to build and foster positive relationships and to provide accurate and timely information
• Develop and implement industry standard, effective and efficient admission policy and procedure to support achievement of enrolment targets ensuring fair and equitable treatment of all applicants. Ensure accurate and timely evaluation of applications to determine admissibility of applicants through understanding and knowledge of admission requirements and University policy.
• Work with Deans, Directors, Chairs to advise on all aspects of admission policy and analyze data to inform decisions related to the development of new policy and procedure
• Build and maintain processes to receive and track domestic and international documentation for admission to all credit and select non-credit programs (includes official academic transcripts, evidence of English Language Proficiency and all other supporting documents required for admission) for the fall, winter and spring semesters
• Develop and implement industry standard, effective and efficient transfer articulation policy and procedure to support student mobility and international exchange
• Play a key role on technology implementation teams and upgrades to facilitate the development of enhanced technology (Apply Alberta – APAS, Banner, ARGOS, Access, EzRecruit, etc.)
• Implement customer service standards aligned with the institutional service commitment including the resolution of complex escalated student concerns
• Implement effective, fair and equitable hiring practices

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• 6 to 10 years of experience in a post-secondary environment with understanding of industry standard recruitment and admission practices
• Critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, negotiation and persuasion skills – strong analytical and judgment skills required
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Ability to work independently and employ excellent judgment
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to de-escalate situations
• Excellent organizational ability to manage a high volume of work within tight timelines
• Accountability for a high degree of accuracy, attention to detail critical
• Conceptual understanding of systems to initiate the development of technological enhancement with functional use of technology
• Leadership skills to direct and motivate staff

What We Offer
Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.
At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.
Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.
Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Closing Date: May 30, 2021

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999.pdf).

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Mount Royal University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to fostering diversity as a source of excellence, intellectual and cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome applications from those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, faculty and their scholarship including but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual or gender identity, ethnic, national or socio-economic background, religion or age.

Job Type: Permanent