Senior Recruitment Coordinator

The Wilder School's mission is to:

●  Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
●  Advance research that informs public policy and decision-making to improve our communities.
●  Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance the quality of life.

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 36 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 8 in Homeland Security Programs, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,400 students and more than 12,000 alumni, with an established environment where multiple perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities, and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at https://wilder.vcu.edu/.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Academic Advising & Student Services, this position serves as the primary school-level point of contact for prospective students, faculty partners, and external partners interested in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. This position drives student enrollment growth, elevates school visibility, and develops strategic recruitment and yield plans aligned with university enrollment strategies and the School’s academic priorities. The role provides strategic oversight for recruitment initiatives, market analysis, and pipeline development across community colleges and higher education institutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. The position directs graduate admissions operations, utilizes recruitment systems (Slate and Tableau), mobilizes faculty and staff engagement, collaborates closely with university leadership and graduate program directors, and leads a team dedicated to attracting a diverse, high-caliber student body.

Strategic Leadership & Market Development

• →Strategic Planning & Campaigns: Develop, execute, and monitor the Wilder School's strategic recruitment and yield plans in alignment with university enrollment strategies, academic priorities, marketing goals, and innovative recruitment techniques.
• →Market Analysis & Reporting: Conduct in-depth data analysis, track applicant funnel analytics, and utilize market information to evaluate outreach efficacy, assess strategy effectiveness, identify target markets, and deliver comprehensive recruitment reports to leadership.

Pipeline Development & External Outreach

• →Educational & Regional Partnerships: Establish pathways, strategic partnerships, and ongoing networks with community colleges, four-year institutions, faculty, and regional partners as sources of prospective students and referrals, in alignment with VCU Admissions strategies and policies.
• →Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration: Collaborate with the VCU Office of Admissions, graduate program directors, and academic leadership on program-specific recruitment and yield activities. Represent the Wilder School at external recruitment events and university committees while mobilizing faculty and staff to actively participate in outreach.

Admissions & Recruitment Operations

• →Admissions Management & Student Contact: Direct the graduate program admissions process and serve as the primary school-level resource, providing prospective students with accurate information regarding Wilder School academic programs, procedures, career pathways, and student opportunities.
• →Prospective Student Engagement: Coordinate open houses, information sessions, applicant engagement activities, and one-on-one prospective student consultations to drive candidate yield.
• →Recruitment Systems & Marketing: Manage prospective student communication channels, including direct messaging, newsletters, and recruitment content on the Wilder School website in collaboration with the communications team. Utilize Slate, Tableau, and other university systems for communications, event coordination, data tracking, and reporting.

Supervision, Compliance, & Administration

• →Team Supervision: Manage program assistants and student workers.
• →Policy Compliance: Maintain thorough knowledge of and adherence to university policies, admissions practices, and compliance standards, including the Safety and Protection of Minors at VCU policy.
• →Department Event Support: Assist the Office of Student Services with planning and implementation of major departmental events as needed.
• →General Administration: Perform other duties related to student recruitment, retention, and enrollment as assigned.
• →Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required, or an equivalent combination of relevant professional experience.
• Professional Experience: Considerable experience in college admissions, recruitment, or marketing.
• Licensure & Travel: Must possess a valid driver's license. Willingness and ability to travel regionally (including overnight) and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as dictated by recruitment events and travel schedules.
• Communication & Outreach: Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including demonstrated excellence in public speaking, customer service, and working effectively with diverse populations.
• Autonomy & Organization: Strong organizational and time-management skills with the proven ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, handle sensitive matters, and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in databases, word processing, graphics, survey creation, and data analysis tools (e.g., MS Office Suite, Slate, Tableau and similar systems).
• Digital Marketing: Experience utilizing social media platforms as strategic marketing and recruitment tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Education: Master’s degree in public policy, criminal justice, public administration, urban planning, or a related Wilder School discipline.
• Specialized Experience: Extensive knowledge of university admissions procedures, strategic recruitment marketing, and large-scale event and project planning.
• Regional Network: Established relationships with community colleges, four-year institutions, and state/local government agencies across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.

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