Admissions Counselor II - Graduate Admissions

About the role

• Admissions Counselor II (Associate Director, Graduate Admissions)
• USC Marshall School of Business
• Office of Graduate Admissions

The University of Southern California Marshall School of Business seeks an engaging professional for the role of Associate Director of Graduate Admissions. Founded in 1880, USC is one of the world’s leading private research universities. With a strong tradition of integrating liberal and professional education, USC fosters a vibrant culture of public service and encourages students to cross academic as well as geographic boundaries in their pursuit of knowledge.

The Office of Graduate Admissions is responsible for recruitment, admissions and all related functions for Specialized Masters and MBA programs. The USC Marshall programs are committed to transformative learning, a culture of inclusion, collegiality, cooperation, and teamwork. The Office is responsible for admitting high-caliber students in alignment with quantitative and qualitative success metrics established for the admissions cycle.

The Associate Director of Graduate Admissions will report to the Director of Graduate Admissions for Specialized Master’s programs, supporting the functions of Specialized Master’s Programs admissions team by managing admissions inquiries, providing exemplary service to prospective students and applicants, managing and reviewing applications, coordinating communication with applicants during the application process, assisting with data collection and reporting, and working with other USC and Marshall departments to manage internal and external information flows.

The ideal candidate is detail oriented, comfortable in decision making and counseling of applicants, organized and skilled in project management, and an excellent communicator, both written and verbal.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Create, plan and execute student recruitment, admission, and enrollment management strategies for six master’s programs with the goal of attracting and retaining talented students to USC.
• Prepare applications for review, and manage application data, utilizing university application systems and CRM.
• Evaluate applications and make admission and scholarship decisions using approved rubrics and guidelines.
• Utilize data to guide admission decisions and meet enrollment targets.
• Input all activities into CRM system in a timely and accurate manner and prepare applicant and admissions reports as needed.
• Communicate with students about the status of admissions applications.
• Managed relationships and coordinate efforts with cross functional teams throughout Marshall such as academic program, career and marketing offices to identify high-quality prospective students and recruiting and conversion opportunities.
• Advise prospective students via telephone, email and meetings, regarding admission policies, procedures and program offerings; ensures the delivery of quality services through high standard customer service, personal attention, and responsiveness.
• Represent Marshall School of Business through external events that support enrollment goals
• Plan and organize admission-related events, including coordination of event logistics, and follow through.
• Develop and maintain relationships with prospective students, alumni, students and staff to optimize communications and create opportunities for Admissions
• Stays current on a wide range of university policies, school-wide policies, and educational trends affecting graduate students and admissions/recruitment practices for professional programs
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Preferred Requirements

• Detail oriented, organized, able to work well independently and as part of a team
• Proficient skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Experience in a higher education environment, preferably in admissions/recruiting
• Excellent written, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Experience using Customer Relationship Management platforms such as Salesforce in higher education admissions or related function
• Experience working with International Students and understanding of the F-1 visa rules.
• Ability to travel (within the U.S. and internationally) for recruiting events
• Ability to work evenings and weekends for events as necessary.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced, service-oriented operation.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in the face of changing priorities and fluctuating workloads

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

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser: