Executive Director, Admissions

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Academy of Art University is seeking an Executive Director of Admissions to join our outstanding Admissions Team.  The Executive Director provides direct leadership and oversight for the day-to-day management, performance, and accountability of the admissions organization. This role is responsible for leading admissions directors and managers, driving frontline execution, and ensuring the admissions team consistently delivers strong enrollment results and a high-quality, student-centered experience.

The Executive Director partners closely with the Executive Vice President of Admissions to execute enrollment strategies, strengthen leadership effectiveness, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the admissions organization.

This position requires an experienced and results-oriented leader who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, leading through change, developing high-performing teams, and balancing performance expectations in a positive and team-driven environment.

Reponsibilities:

Admissions Leadership & Team Management

• Provide direct day-to-day leadership and oversight of admissions directors and managers
• Establish and communicate clear expectations related to performance, accountability, professionalism, and student experience
• Build and maintain a collaborative, results-oriented culture focused on both performance and team development
• Evaluate leadership effectiveness and make recommendations regarding staffing, organizational structure, and talent development
• Drive succession planning and leadership development across the admissions organization

Performance Management & Accountability

• Hold admissions directors and managers accountable for achieving enrollment goals, conversion targets, productivity expectations, and service standards
• Monitor admissions performance and take proactive action to address performance gaps and execution issues
• Conduct regular coaching, performance reviews, and development discussions with direct reports
• Lead performance improvement efforts across the admissions funnel to increase conversion and operational effectiveness
• Ensure admissions leaders consistently apply consultative enrollment practices and maintain high standards of student engagement

Enrollment Execution

• Oversee day-to-day admissions execution to ensure alignment between strategy and frontline activity
• Direct leaders in resolving operational challenges, staffing issues, and escalated concerns
• Ensure consistency in outreach efforts, follow-up cadence, responsiveness, and pipeline management
• Maintain organizational focus on achieving institutional enrollment objectives

Leadership Development & Coaching

• Develop admissions directors and managers into effective and accountable leaders
• Partner with training and enablement resources to strengthen onboarding, coaching, and leadership readiness
• Promote a coaching-based management approach that balances accountability with professional growth. Fostering a culture of continuous improvement and shared success

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Enrollment Operations, Marketing, Financial Aid, Student Services, International Admissions, and other departments to support enrollment growth and improve the prospective student experience
• Communicate organizational priorities and ensure consistent execution across the admissions organization
• Lead implementation of departmental and institutional initiatives as assigned

Qualifications:

• Experience managing, leading, mentioning a large diverse team which includes guiding, supporting and evaluating employees to achieve the goals of the Admissions team.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in admissions, enrollment management, higher education leadership, or related field
• Demonstrated experience leading high-performing admissions, enrollment, or student-facing teams
• Strong leadership, coaching, and performance management experience
• Experience managing multiple teams and leaders in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead through change and support organizational growth initiatives
• Experience working within CRM and enrollment management systems preferred
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task while also working in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to collect, analyze, and use performance metrics to ensure work goals of a large team
• A Bachelor’s degree - is preferred

Benefits:

Academy of Art University offers full-time employees health insurance, 401k options, paid vacation based on years of service (15 days' accrual at start), paid holidays, paid sick leave and a commuter benefit program. The Academy also offers full-time employees an opportunity to take one undergraduate course tuition free each semester. 

Compensation:

$115,000.00 - $125,000.00 annually
Based on experience and location

Application Deadline: June 8, 2026

IND 123

Academy of Art University is an equal opportunity employer.  All applicants will be considered regardless of age, Aids or HIV positive status, marital status, domestic partnership, medical condition or genetic characteristics, race or national origin, pregnancy, religion, sex, gender identity, gender or sexual orientation, name change, citizenship, physical or mental disability, veteran status or other status protected by federal, state, local or other law. Academy of Art University will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Equal access to the hiring process, services, and employment is available to all persons. Applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department at HR@academyart.edu.