Director of International Admissions

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Position Summary

Assists in leading the recruitment, conversion, and enrollment efforts of new full-time international Graduate and Undergraduate students, focusing on increasing the quality and quantity of such students.  Help lead a seamless admissions process and foster a welcoming environment for students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Seventy-five percent focus on the Graduate population, and 25% focus on the Undergraduate population.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage and execute our international student recruitment plan and strategies to attract and generate a diverse inquiry pool of international applicants to increase enrollment, meeting both qualitative and quantitative enrollment goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with international agents, educational organizations, embassies, and consulates to enhance recruitment efforts.
• Provide guidance and support to the international admissions team, ensuring compliance with immigration regulations and institutional policies.
• Participate in all aspects of admissions, student recruitment, and marketing, including, but not limited to, the representation of the university to wide and diverse audiences within the United States and overseas.
• Collaborate with academic departments and faculty Graduate Program Directors to maintain/update admissions criteria specific to international students, communicating as needed on a regular basis.
• Stay informed about changes in immigration policies and regulations affecting international students, advising stakeholders accordingly.
• Correspond extensively via phone, text, Zoom, and e-mail with prospective international students and recruitment partners to convert inquiries into applications and acceptances into deposits.
• Conduct visits overseas and in the US to universities and corporations and with recruitment partners.
• Maintain awareness and understanding of competition and external factors affecting international graduate student enrollment.
• Assist in research and demand analysis for existing and potential new programs.
• Maintain Slate CRM throughout the recruitment cycle and report accurate data regarding the international graduate student applicant population.
• Work closely with the university’s ESL program to matriculate students to full-time academic enrollment, including participation in events that impact the matriculation of such students.
• Expand the use of social media, including posting content, managing traffic, and analyzing effectiveness.
• Maintain current information on the Graduate Admissions website as it pertains to international graduate students’ needs.
• Coordinate the initial arrival of international graduate students and assist with their transition to student life, including the planning of and participation in orientation programs.
• Work collaboratively with university personnel responsible for Federal immigration regulations pertaining to international students.
• Promote international and multicultural understanding on campus and in the community at large.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of recruitment events (open houses, orientations, etc.)
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of university admissions experience, with knowledge of the principles and best practices involved with international recruitment and admissions, is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong presentation skills.
• Priority is given to fluent bilingual speakers (Arabic and Spanish).
• Highly motivated, self-starter, independent worker, able to prioritize and initiate.
• Able to handle complex and multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Able to work well under pressure.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Computer literacy, knowledge of computer databases for tracking purposes, and familiarity with Colleague and Recruiter or similar administrative tracking systems are a plus.
• Willingness to occasionally work unconventional hours.
• Extensive travel is required, both domestic and overseas, therefore, experience traveling overseas preferred.
• Valid driver’s license, passport, and accessibility to transportation.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service to diverse constituents.

Unusual Working Conditions

Working with populations across global time zones requires flexible work hours that are atypical of a standard Monday – Friday work week. Additional evening and weekend hours may be necessary as required by international travel, projects, workload, deadlines, or special events. This position requires regular, predictable, and reliable attendance in the office environment.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.