Vice President of Enrollment Management

The University: 
The American University of Rome (AUR) is a small, regionally accredited, internationally recognized liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs of the highest quality to students from all over the world. It is a first-choice university for degree students seeking an international learning experience through well-established programs and as a destination for study-abroad students. AUR prepares students to live and work across cultures as skilled and knowledgeable citizens of an interconnected and rapidly changing world. 

Taking the best of the American approach to interdisciplinary, student-centered learning, our international faculty and staff use Rome, Italy and Europe as invaluable classroom and extra-curricular resources. AUR’s innovative programs promote intellectual excellence, personal growth and an appreciation of cultural diversity in an international environment. 

The Vice President of Enrollment Management (VPEM) will join a newly formed leadership team at AUR under a dynamic new president at a pivotal time of change and opportunity.

The Position: 
The American University of Rome seeks a visionary and collaborative individual to provide leadership in all aspects of enrollment management. Reporting directly to the President, the VPEM oversees and provides vision and direction to Admissions, Financial Aid, Marketing & Communications and Study Abroad enrollment. In leading this enrollment team, the VPEM will assess current practices and make recommendations where change can improve recruitment initiatives, marketing and communication practices, tuition net-revenue strategies, recruiting for a diverse student body, and potential academic and co-curricular programming—all aligned with AUR’s strategic plan, resources and market demand. As a member of the President’s Leadership Council, the VPEM works closely with university senior officers to develop institutional objectives, strategies, and policies.

Responsibilities:

• Build, lead, and motivate teams to meet enrollment goals, including student headcount and net tuition objectives. Includes both degree-seeking and study abroad (visiting student) enrollments. Oversee strategies and budget resources to convey AUR’s value proposition to potential students and families (lead generation, lead nurture, and yield). Cultivate, maintain, and build new relationships with key influencers (guidance counselors, independent educational advisors, CBOs, and others) of current and potential target populations. In collaboration with CFO and institutional research and planning, develop and manage metrics and predictive models to measure and report enrollment forecasts and budget impact. Oversee a cross-campus, cross-functional Strategic Enrollment Management committee (co-chaired with President). Nurture a culture of strong collaboration, both cross-institutionally and within the enrollment management team itself. Develop staffing and technology strategies within enrollment management to respond to changing institutional priorities and market opportunities. Provide enrollment data reporting and analysis to university leadership and board. Actively contribute to decision making as member of President’s Leadership Council (includes President, CFO, Dean of Academic Affairs, Sr. Director of Advancement, Dean of Student Affairs, VPEM).

Required Qualifications:

• A master’s degree or higher. At least eight years of progressively responsible and successful experience in the administration, team management, and supervision of marketing and enrollment team members, with demonstrated responsibility for growth-generating enrollment and retention strategies and programs. Expertise of current enrollment management best practices in marketing, admissions, financial aid strategy, net revenue optimization, registration and student life; ideally in both US and international contexts. Demonstrated success in managing individuals across a range of functions toward collaboratively achieving broader team/institutional goals. Experience developing personnel through mentoring, coaching, and prescribed learning opportunities. Successful track record implementing comprehensive strategies to increase enrollment (lead generation, lead nurture, yield). Experience aligning recruitment strategies with a strategic focus on DEI. Evidence of strong data-informed decision making, an entrepreneurial spirit, problem-solving skills, including leveraging financial aid to optimize overall net tuition revenue and achieve enrollment goals. Experience with current and emerging strategies for lead generation, lead-nurture, yield and pre-arrival communication. Must be familiar with higher education software and systems supporting lead generation and nurture, selection and notification, financial aid packaging, registration and student services. Ability to demonstrate understanding and use of statistical modeling and other forecasting tools for the analysis of admissions/recruitment/enrollment data. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, all based upon a strong foundation of ethical leadership. Leadership skills to support a diverse team and student population in a multicultural organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in both US and non-US/international admission and enrollment contexts. Experience with study-abroad programming. Ability to use various sources of data to develop statistical modeling for effective lead generation analysis and strategy. Experience with Salesforce, Jenzibar. Experience living and working in various cultural contexts. Experience developing summer and off-term academic programs. Marketing and communication experience; in higher education or related contexts. European Union work authorization. Italian language skills.

Important Dates:

Position begins July 1, 2023. Applications are currently accepted, and the screening process is anticipated to begin January 2, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.

To Apply: 
Please send CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to: applications@aur.edu.  Quote re: HR2/2022 VP of Enrollment Management in correspondence.
  
Short-listed candidates may be requested to submit additional materials in support of application.