Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing - Carlow University

Founded in 1929 by the Sisters of Mercy, Carlow University is a Catholic, master’s comprehensive institution grounded in the liberal arts with strong professional programs, committed to engaging its diverse community in a process of life-long learning, scholarship, research, and service. Degrees are offered at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels to 2,254 undergraduate and graduate students. Academic degree programs are housed within three colleges: The College of Health and Wellness, the College of Leadership and Social Change, and the College of Learning and Innovation. Carlow University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It is proud of its Military Friendly designation and to be a College of Distinction, a Catholic College of Distinction, and a Pennsylvania College of Distinction for 2016-17. Carlow has also been selected by Abound as a provider of Top Degrees for Adult Undergraduates for 2017 and is regionally ranked by US News & World Report. The University is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the United States Collegiate Athletics Association (USCAA) and is a member of the NAIA’s River States Conference.  

Carlow University is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s vibrant Oakland neighborhood --- the “Eds, Meds, and Tech” heart of the city. Consistently voted one of America’s most livable cities, Pittsburgh is home to Uber, Intel, and Apple offices and offers multiple educational, recreational and cultural opportunities. The Atlantic calls it “a haven for edgy, innovative startups that share the city’s tech oxygen with internationally known tech companies, such as Google and Disney Research.” In 2015 Forbes named Pittsburgh among the top 25 U.S. cities for Millennials. 

The Position

The vice president for enrollment management and marketing (VPEMM) is responsible for providing leadership and coordination for a comprehensive enrollment management and marketing strategy that is consistent with the goals, mission, and resources of Carlow University. The vice president is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the execution of an annual comprehensive enrollment plan with appropriate goals that include strategies to recruit and enroll students for the University’s traditional undergraduate, non-traditional undergraduate, and graduate programs. The VPEMM oversees all aspects of the Admissions, Financial Aid, Marketing/Communications, and Public Relations operations of the University. Additionally, the VPEMM is responsible for developing annual admissions and marketing budgets; building, leading and motivating the appropriate teams to ensure that enrollment goals are met; developing, implementing and leading an integrated marketing and communication plan in partnership with Carlow University’s leadership team; and collaborating with academic deans and others to develop annual marketing plans to achieve academic program department enrollment goals. In addition to internal constituents, the vice president for enrollment management and marketing is expected to work collaboratively and constructively with external partners including vendors and consultants under contract within Enrollment Management.

The vice president reports to the president and serves on the president’s senior leadership team. The VPEMM works closely with the president, board of trustees, vice president for advancement and other senior leaders to provide appropriate direction on enrollment and marketing/public relations matters. Additionally, the VPEMM collaborates closely with academic deans to share enrollment projections and to determine short and long term targets for both tuition revenue and headcounts. The vice president for enrollment management and marketing is responsible for an operating budget of over $4.2 million, financial aid awarding of over $10 million, and 25 staff members.

Qualifications

A Master’s degree and a minimum of eight years of progressive experience and leadership in enrollment management is required. The vice president for enrollment management and marketing must be a highly efficient, effective, and results-oriented individual with strong business acumen, proven ability to lead and knowledge of best practices and current trends in the enrollment field. Data informed decision making, an understanding of branding and marketing strategies and tactics specifically as applicable to student recruitment in the digital market place is expected. The successful candidate will be a visionary and a strategic thinker. The position requires a high level of understanding of website design/functionality, digital analytics, and familiarity with a social media suite, strong connotative skills and the ability to analyze issues critically. The ideal candidate also will demonstrate excellent communication skills, outstanding integrity, effective leadership and team building skills. Experience in managing student information systems, budget oversight, experience with financial aid and leveraging, and the ability to collaborate with internal and external constituents will be important factors in the selection of the new vice president for enrollment management and marketing. The successful candidate must believe in and persuasively articulate the mission and values of Carlow University.

Application and Nomination

Review of applications begins September 15, 2017. Interested candidates should apply for this position via the Williams & Company website at: www.williamscompany.net. Confidential inquiries and/or nominations may be directed to Martha H. Smiles at: Martha@williamscompany.net or (802) 497-0151.

Please visit Carlow University’s website at: www.carlow.edu

Carlow University employees commit themselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct.  They commit to act with integrity, treat others with respect and dignity, carefully steward the University's resources, avoid conflicts of interest or commitment, maintain confidentiality, and to comply with legal and professional obligations.

Carlow University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We strive for a campus that reflects our urban setting and is inclusive of underrepresented groups to enhance our University community.