The New School seeks a proven, dynamic, and creative professional for the position of Senior Director of Admission for the College of Performing Artsâ“Mannes, Jazz, and Drama.â¯Reporting to the Executive Dean, with matrix reporting to the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and the Assistant Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, the Senior Director will provide leadership in the development and on-going execution of a new, authentic and comprehensive enrollment plan for the Mannes School of Music, the School of Drama, the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music as well as the cross-College graduate degree programs, the MA in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship and the MM Performer-Composer. 

 

The Senior Director of Admission is a sophisticated, poised, motivated, and highly organized individual, with significant experience in the performing arts. The role will be a leader in guiding the College of Performing Arts and each of its schools and academic programs into a bold new era of recruiting, educating, and retaining 21st-century creative artists. A strong customer service orientation, superior communication and presentation skills, and a demonstrated ability to lead, build, and maintain strong collegial relationships with staff, faculty, and the domestic and global music and theater communities are required.

 

The Senior Director will develop a strategic plan using data analytics, market research and segmented approaches for global, comprehensive marketing and enrollment strategy. The plan will include concrete and measurable targets for applications and yield, partnerships with key external organizations and individuals, and the maximization of faculty and staff collaboration. The strategic plan will be reviewed and refined to remain consistent with the evolving needs of the College of Performing Arts and the goals of the University, with direct guidance from the leadership of Enrollment Management and Strategic Partnerships (EMSP).

 

The Senior Director will work collaboratively with school Deans, the wide EMSP team, University Marketing and Communications, and key College faculty, admission committees and other members of the Universityâ™s leadership team and staff to meet and exceed enrollment goals, and advance the vision of the College of Performing Arts. The Senior Director will provide leadership and mentorship to a staff of counselors and peers, overseeing operations and strategy across staff training and management, application flow, in-person and virtual auditions, as well as recruitment and yield events. The primary objective of this position is to identify and recruit best fit students interested in pursuing study in the performing arts at the professional, graduate, and undergraduate level in an urban, entrepreneurial, and collaborative environment.

The New School is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and particularly seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups, as well as candidates who share this commitment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve prospective and incoming students by connecting their career and artistic aspirations with the unique values and opportunities distinctly occurring within The College of Performing Arts and its three schools.

• Facilitate the establishment of annual recruitment goals for College of Performing Arts programs using analysis of historic data and current trends to provide data-informed rationale for strategies. 

• Partner with college leadership on the development and documentation and execution of the admission rubric and requirements.

• Develop and implement a strategic and comprehensive enrollment plan, addressing the pipeline beginning with K-12 performing arts education through graduate programs and beyond for the Mannes School of Music, the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, and the School of Drama. The plan must be integrated with the Universityâ™s overall recruitment design, including an extensive on-and-off campus audition schedule. Engage stakeholders within the College of Performing Arts and across the university to develop and execute school specific enrollment and financial aid strategies to ensure meeting budget and headcount goals.

• Maintain an operational calendar that allocates staff appropriately for a high-volume office and that ensures excellence in customer service, including the coordination of on campus events and daily campus visitation programs for College of Performing Arts admission in concert with the Enrollment Management and Strategic Partnerships team.

• Oversee hiring, training, supervision of approximately five direct reports in close partnership with the College Deans. Provide mentorship, identify training requirements and professional development opportunities, and maintain areas of concentration in order to develop and retain junior staff.

• Manage the College of Performing Arts admission budget allocations and monitor expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility, maximization of resources, and adherence to university policy.

• Represent The New Schoolâ™s suite of academic programs as related to the values of the College of Performing Arts in a full range of recruitment activities and special events, both on- and off-campus. Research and recommend a schedule appropriate to the landscape of potential applicants. Plan and develop new activities and events as needed.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with institutions such as performing arts schools and community-based organizations, pre-professional training programs, youth orchestras, big-band programs, youth theater organizations, secondary schools, colleges, independent counseling centers and consultants, and music and theater venues across the United States and relevant international markets. Guide and partner with The New Schoolâ™s Office of Marketing and Communication and College Deans Council to develop and schedule all performing arts admissions publications and visibility campaigns.

• Other duties and projects as assigned.

• Share authority and responsibility for College enrollment with the College Deans and key members of the Deans Council. 

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelorâ™s Degree required.

• A strong knowledge of and love for the performing arts.

• Ability to relate well to artist/practitioner faculty.

• Strong knowledge and experience in higher education admissions/recruitment policies and practices.

• Significant, progressively responsible management experience in college admission (5-8 years) and a commitment to collaborative leadership.

• Proven, successful track record in achieving college admission enrollment goals.

• Proven record of building and managing a professional team in a fast paced environment.

• Outstanding public relations and communications skills.

• Driverâ™s license and valid passport required.

• Possess knowledge of admission information technology, including prospect management, student information systems, and report generation tools. 

 

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with peer institutions and market position within the performing arts higher education space.

• Experience in the music/drama and/or a performing arts educational setting.

• Experience working with international student populations.

• Graduate degree in relevant field. 

 

WORK MODE

Hybrid/Remote - Employees hired for this position primarily work remotely with the occasional on-campus presence required with advanced notice. Employees in this role will also be expected to closely coordinate with college leadership to be on campus, when necessary, in order to best fulfill the responsibilities of their job descriptions. #LI-HYBRID

SALARY RANGE

$90,000 - $95,000 annually

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The New School offers a robust PTO and holiday schedule. Additionally, employees and their dependents are eligible for generous tuition benefits for part-time, full-time, degree programs and continuing education classes. Join a smart and energetic staff who are student-centered and always looking for "New" ways to imagine higher education

 

Founded in 1919,

About The New School

The New School, a leading university in downtown New York City, offers degree and nondegree academic programs in design, the social sciences, the liberal arts, management, the arts, and media. Students benefit from small classes, superior resources, and renowned faculty members who practice what they teach. Continuing education courses and public programs place the university at the center of New York’s cultural and intellectual life.

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