Southern Methodist University
Director of Recruiting & Admissions (HR Title: Director of Student Recruitment)
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, United States, 75215
Director of Recruiting & Admissions (HR Title: Director of Student Recruitment)
Join to apply for the Director of Recruiting & Admissions (HR Title: Director of Student Recruitment) role at Southern Methodist University.
About SMU SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About the Department SMU Meadows School of the Arts educates visionary artists, scholars, and arts and communications professionals to create sustainable and transformative impact on both local and global society. Today, the Meadows School has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States and offers training in an unusual mix of the arts – visual (art and art history), performing (dance, music, and theatre) and communications (advertising, film and media arts, corporate communication and public affairs, and journalism) – as well as a preeminent program in arts management and arts entrepreneurship.
About the Position This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
Director leads recruitment and admissions for all undergraduate programs and provides strategic support for graduate program recruitment across the Meadows School of the Arts. This role shapes and executes strategies to attract, engage, and enroll high-caliber students, with particular attention to dual‑admit programs. The Director collects, analyzes, and leverages admissions, financial aid, and retention data to drive informed decision‑making and sustain enrollment targets. They collaborate with faculty, school leadership, and university offices to ensure a seamless and student-centered admissions experience. The Director represents Meadows at national conferences, recruitment events, and other outreach, while monitoring trends in recruitment to guide school-wide strategy. This position supervises recruitment staff, student employees, and volunteer ambassadors, fostering an environment focused on service, diversity, and creativity.
Essential Functions
Strategic Planning and Leadership: Develop and implement recruitment strategies for undergraduate programs and coordinate graduate recruitment efforts across Meadows. Use data, trends, and best practices to guide enrollment planning and forecast program needs. Partner with faculty and academic leaders to align recruitment goals with program priorities.
Recruitment Operations and Execution: Oversee admission processes for undergraduate and dual‑admit programs, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and strong student support. Manage recruitment and outreach budgets and align resources with strategic goals. Lead planning and execution of recruitment events, including auditions, visits, and national outreach.
Collaboration Across Meadows and SMU: Serve as primary liaison with key SMU offices, ensuring smooth processes and clear communication across units. Align recruitment messaging and admissions processes with campus partners and academic divisions. Collaborate with MARCOM on marketing materials and digital content for prospective students.
External Engagement and Representation: Represent Meadows at conferences, college fairs, schools, and community arts organizations to expand outreach. Monitor trends in arts recruitment and share insights to inform Meadows’ enrollment strategy. Build strong relationships with counselors, educators, and partners influencing student decisions.
Supervisory and Team Leadership: Manage recruitment staff and student workers, fostering development, efficiency, and team cohesion. Provide coaching, performance feedback, and opportunities for professional growth. Oversee the volunteer ambassador group supporting tours, events, and yield efforts.
Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect and analyze data on applications, yield, aid, and enrollment to inform decisions. Prepare reports and annual updates for school leadership and program chairs. Use data insights to guide strategy and improve recruitment and admissions processes.
Institutional Engagement and Service: Serve on committees and working groups to support Meadows’ enrollment goals and strategic initiatives.
Evening/weekend hours will be required.
Travel for student recruitment and events.
Education and Experience A Bachelor’s degree in Arts (performing or visual) or Communication field is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. A degree in Education or management is preferred.
A minimum of six (6) years of experience is required, seven (7) years is preferred. Leadership experience in recruitment, admissions, higher education, or arts-related context is required. Must have experience supervising staff and managing budgets. Experience with arts recruitment trends is also required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills to effectively communicate with prospective students and their families, as well as partner with faculty, staff, and other participants in the admissions process. A strong customer service orientation is essential.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
Candidate must have an appreciation and understanding of students seeking admission to performing and visual arts programs and demonstrated success working with diverse student populations.
Candidate must have strong analytical skills and experience with CRM/admissions systems and familiarity with data collection, analysis, and leveraging.
Candidate must be highly proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly in Outlook, Excel, and Word, and Slate or other student admissions CRM.
Physical and Environmental Demands
Sit for long periods of time
Bend, climb, kneel, stand
Carry/lift 25 lbs.
Deadline to Apply Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by December 31, 2025.
This position is open until filled.
EEO Statement SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Benefits SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas
Job: Student Services
Organization: Meadows School of the Arts
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Staff
Employee Status: Director
Job Type: Full-time
Job Level: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time
Job Posting: Dec 17, 2025, 11:37:08 AM
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About SMU SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.
SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About the Department SMU Meadows School of the Arts educates visionary artists, scholars, and arts and communications professionals to create sustainable and transformative impact on both local and global society. Today, the Meadows School has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States and offers training in an unusual mix of the arts – visual (art and art history), performing (dance, music, and theatre) and communications (advertising, film and media arts, corporate communication and public affairs, and journalism) – as well as a preeminent program in arts management and arts entrepreneurship.
About the Position This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
Director leads recruitment and admissions for all undergraduate programs and provides strategic support for graduate program recruitment across the Meadows School of the Arts. This role shapes and executes strategies to attract, engage, and enroll high-caliber students, with particular attention to dual‑admit programs. The Director collects, analyzes, and leverages admissions, financial aid, and retention data to drive informed decision‑making and sustain enrollment targets. They collaborate with faculty, school leadership, and university offices to ensure a seamless and student-centered admissions experience. The Director represents Meadows at national conferences, recruitment events, and other outreach, while monitoring trends in recruitment to guide school-wide strategy. This position supervises recruitment staff, student employees, and volunteer ambassadors, fostering an environment focused on service, diversity, and creativity.
Essential Functions
Strategic Planning and Leadership: Develop and implement recruitment strategies for undergraduate programs and coordinate graduate recruitment efforts across Meadows. Use data, trends, and best practices to guide enrollment planning and forecast program needs. Partner with faculty and academic leaders to align recruitment goals with program priorities.
Recruitment Operations and Execution: Oversee admission processes for undergraduate and dual‑admit programs, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and strong student support. Manage recruitment and outreach budgets and align resources with strategic goals. Lead planning and execution of recruitment events, including auditions, visits, and national outreach.
Collaboration Across Meadows and SMU: Serve as primary liaison with key SMU offices, ensuring smooth processes and clear communication across units. Align recruitment messaging and admissions processes with campus partners and academic divisions. Collaborate with MARCOM on marketing materials and digital content for prospective students.
External Engagement and Representation: Represent Meadows at conferences, college fairs, schools, and community arts organizations to expand outreach. Monitor trends in arts recruitment and share insights to inform Meadows’ enrollment strategy. Build strong relationships with counselors, educators, and partners influencing student decisions.
Supervisory and Team Leadership: Manage recruitment staff and student workers, fostering development, efficiency, and team cohesion. Provide coaching, performance feedback, and opportunities for professional growth. Oversee the volunteer ambassador group supporting tours, events, and yield efforts.
Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect and analyze data on applications, yield, aid, and enrollment to inform decisions. Prepare reports and annual updates for school leadership and program chairs. Use data insights to guide strategy and improve recruitment and admissions processes.
Institutional Engagement and Service: Serve on committees and working groups to support Meadows’ enrollment goals and strategic initiatives.
Evening/weekend hours will be required.
Travel for student recruitment and events.
Education and Experience A Bachelor’s degree in Arts (performing or visual) or Communication field is required. A Master’s degree is preferred. A degree in Education or management is preferred.
A minimum of six (6) years of experience is required, seven (7) years is preferred. Leadership experience in recruitment, admissions, higher education, or arts-related context is required. Must have experience supervising staff and managing budgets. Experience with arts recruitment trends is also required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills to effectively communicate with prospective students and their families, as well as partner with faculty, staff, and other participants in the admissions process. A strong customer service orientation is essential.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
Candidate must have an appreciation and understanding of students seeking admission to performing and visual arts programs and demonstrated success working with diverse student populations.
Candidate must have strong analytical skills and experience with CRM/admissions systems and familiarity with data collection, analysis, and leveraging.
Candidate must be highly proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly in Outlook, Excel, and Word, and Slate or other student admissions CRM.
Physical and Environmental Demands
Sit for long periods of time
Bend, climb, kneel, stand
Carry/lift 25 lbs.
Deadline to Apply Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by December 31, 2025.
This position is open until filled.
EEO Statement SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Benefits SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas
Job: Student Services
Organization: Meadows School of the Arts
Schedule: Regular
Shift: Staff
Employee Status: Director
Job Type: Full-time
Job Level: Day Job
Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time
Job Posting: Dec 17, 2025, 11:37:08 AM
#J-18808-Ljbffr