Admissions Counselor II

About the role

• Admissions Counselor II
• USC Marshall School of Business
• Marshall Graduate Admissions

The Admissions Counselor will support the recruitment and admissions functions for graduate MBA programs for Working Professionals. This role will have a strong emphasis on prospective student outreach, recruitment, relationship management, and enrollment growth, while also playing an active role in the evaluation and selection of applicants.

The Admissions Counselor will develop and maintain relationships with prospective students, respond to inquiries, conduct individual and group advising, represent the MBA programs at recruiting events, and implement outreach strategies to engage prospective applicants throughout the admissions cycle. The position will also be responsible for reading and evaluating applications, conducting applicant interviews, and serving as a member of the MBA Admissions Committee, participating in application review and admissions decisions.

The position will work closely with the admissions team, program offices, marketing and communications, current students/alumni, and other USC and Marshall departments to support recruitment initiatives and ensure consistent and effective communication with prospective students and applicants.

The ideal candidate is an energetic and highly organized admissions professional who enjoys engaging with prospective students, building relationships, evaluating candidates, presenting to diverse audiences, and contributing to enrollment growth. The candidate will be managing multiple projects and priorities, and will represent USC Marshall at internal and external events.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Executes recruitment and outreach strategies to attract qualified prospective students to MBA programs for Working Professionals and manages prospective student relationships throughout the recruitment and admissions funnel, from initial inquiry through application and enrollment.
• Conducts proactive outreach and personalized advising through telephone, email, web conferences, information sessions, presentations, and other engagement channels, providing guidance on program offerings, admissions requirements, application processes, financial aid, deadlines, and enrollment considerations.
• Plans, coordinates, and participates in recruitment activities, including information sessions, webinars, class visits, networking events, fairs, conferences, and other events; develops and delivers presentations to prospective students, employers, professional organizations, alumni, and other audiences.
• Develops and maintains relationships with prospective student populations, corporate partners, professional organizations, alumni, and other external stakeholders to expand the recruitment pipeline and support enrollment goals.
• Collaborates with marketing and communications teams to implement recruitment campaigns, outreach initiatives, and prospective student communications and engagement strategies.
• Maintains accurate and timely records of prospective student and applicant interactions in CRM/database systems and uses recruitment data and reports to monitor engagement, identify opportunities, and support recruitment planning.
• Reads, evaluates, and assesses applications for admission using established criteria, policies, rubrics, and guidelines, exercising professional judgment in evaluating applicants' academic preparation, professional experience, leadership potential, and overall fit with the program.
• Serves as an active member of the MBA Admissions Committee, participating in application review, candidate discussions, deliberations, and admissions decisions, and presents applicant evaluations and recommendations as appropriate.
• Coordinates and conducts admissions interviews and provides detailed evaluations and feedback to the Admissions Committee.
• Applies admissions criteria consistently and equitably and maintains current knowledge of USC and Marshall admissions policies, procedures, academic programs, and requirements.
• Provides exceptional customer service and timely follow-up to prospective students and applicants throughout the recruitment and admissions process.
• Stays current on trends in graduate management education, professional MBA programs, adult learner recruitment, and enrollment management practices.
• Supports recruitment planning, yield activities, admitted student engagement, orientation, and other initiatives designed to support enrollment and student success.
• Represents USC Marshall and its MBA programs professionally at recruiting events, conferences, and other external engagements.
• Works evenings and weekends and travels occasionally as needed to support recruitment events, conferences, and other outreach activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required - 3 years of experience in admissions
• Experience recruiting and advising working professionals, adult learners, or nontraditional students.
• Knowledge of Salesforce used in higher education admissions or related function
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications

Pay and benefits

The annual base salary range for this position is $66,962.45 - $86,396.60. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Required Documents and Additional Information

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions*; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience

• 2 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Recruitment and admissions experience with knowledge of transfer credit policies and financial aid programs

• Notice of Non-discrimination
• Employment Equity
• Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report
• USC is a smoke-free environment
• Digital Accessibility

Additional information

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