Assistant Dean of Admissions

About the role

The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is a global leader in education and scholarship, serving more than 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students in communication, journalism, public diplomacy, and public relations. Our distinguished faculty includes world-renowned scholars whose research has shaped their fields, alongside accomplished professionals who bring real-world expertise into the classroom.

We advance the field of communication through innovative scholarship, exceptional teaching, and meaningful public service in an increasingly complex, global, and multicultural society. At the heart of our mission is an enduring commitment to human dignity, a defining value that has shaped our legacy and continues to guide our work.

The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is seeking an experienced professional to assume the role of Assistant Dean of Admissions. This position will report directly to the Dean and provide leadership within a department focused on developing and executing admission strategies and ensuring the USC Annenberg School meets its enrollment goals.

Position Description

We are looking for an Assistant Dean of Admissions who is a dynamic, collaborative, and people-centered leader to provide strategic direction for the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of a diverse, talented, and highly qualified student body.

This forward-thinking professional will develop and execute innovative, data-informed enrollment strategies that support the school's mission and long-term enrollment goals while ensuring an exceptional prospective student experience. The Assistant Dean will oversee all admissions operations, lead and mentor a high-performing admissions team, and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Working in close partnership with faculty, staff, alumni, university stakeholders, and international partners, this individual will strengthen recruitment efforts, expand domestic and global enrollment initiatives, champion inclusive and student-centered practices, and ensure compliance with university policies, accreditation standards, and applicable regulations.

The ideal candidate is an energetic and innovative admissions leader who embraces emerging technologies and contemporary best practices, leveraging technology and data thoughtfully to improve recruitment, applicant engagement, decision-making, and the prospective student experience.

They communicate with authenticity and are committed to advancing excellence in enrollment management through strategic vision, strong partnerships, and outstanding leadership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement comprehensive recruitment and enrollment strategies aligned with the school's strategic priorities.
• Analyze admissions trends, applicant data, and market conditions to inform recruitment initiatives and enrollment planning.
• Recommend policies and procedures to improve admissions processes and operational efficiency.
• Represent the school in university-wide enrollment planning and strategic initiatives.

Admissions Operations

• Direct the day-to-day operations of the admissions office and oversee the admissions cycle from inquiry through enrollment.
• Ensure timely and accurate review of applications and admissions decisions.
• Monitor admissions metrics and prepare reports for school and university leadership.
• Maintain compliance with university policies, accreditation standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.

Recruitment and Outreach

• Lead recruitment efforts through information sessions, open houses, webinars, graduate fairs, and other outreach activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with prospective students, faculty, alumni, employers, community organizations, and educational partners.
• Develop strategies to expand applicant pipelines and increase enrollment across academic programs.
• Travel as needed to represent the school at recruitment events and professional conferences.

Leadership

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate admissions staff, fostering a collaborative, service-oriented, and high-performing team.
• Promote a culture of excellent customer service for all internal and external stakeholders.
• Partner with academic departments, Student Affairs, Financial Aid, Marketing and Communications, International Services, and other university offices to coordinate recruitment and enrollment initiatives.
• Collaborate with faculty on admissions policies, applicant evaluations, and recruitment activities.
• Support orientation, yield events, and other enrollment-related programming.

Data Management and Assessment

• Utilize admissions management systems to monitor recruitment efforts and applicant communications.
• Evaluate recruitment outcomes using data analytics and recommend continuous process improvements.
• Prepare enrollment forecasts and reports for leadership.

Other Responsibilities

• Manage admissions-related budgets and resources.
• Serve on university committees as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the school's mission and enrollment objectives.

Minimum Experience

8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in undergraduate and graduate admissions, enrollment management, higher education administration, or a related field, including responsibility for developing and implementing admissions strategies across multiple academic programs.

Preferred Expertise

• Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with international students
• Administrative experience with graduate and undergraduate populations in a university environment and knowledge of university policies and procedures.
• Advanced skill in the use of Excel, Salesforce, MS Word and PowerPoint, in addition to experience working with admissions databases.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $180,000. 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.

Additional Information

The regular hours for this full-time position are 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday. Holiday, weekend and evening work hours will be required. Travel will be required at various times of the year.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business 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.

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

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's Degree Minimum Experience: 6 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Bachelor’s degree in business management, administration, higher education, or a related field.
• Six years’ experience in admissions and recruitment at an academic or higher education institution.
• Extensive experience in a leadership or management role in higher education, with solid knowledge of transfer credit policies and financial aid programs.

• Deft ability to gather, analyze, evaluate and assess large amounts of physical and digital data.
• Skilled in interviewing, counseling, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Proven ability to interpret, analyze, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements.
• Skilled at organization, with astute attention to detail.

Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills for communicating tactfully with all levels of staff, media, and diverse individuals and groups. Ability to lead and guide diverse, high-performing teams, fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, transparency, and accountability.

Exemplary written and oral communication and presentation skills, with experience developing communication plans, instructional materials and related content. Solid organizational skills.

• Notice of Non-discrimination
• Employment Equity
• USC is a smoke-free environment
• Digital Accessibility

Additional information

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