Art Center College of Design is a private, non-profit college noted for its intensive, specialized programs in 11 undergraduate and 6 graduate art and design disciplines.  Students apply directly to one major and must present portfolios and credentials clearly directed to that major.  The College is in session all year round. Art Center is known for its focus on professional career preparation as well as educational emphasis on social initiatives and research. The Admissions Office is charged with enrollment of exceptionally gifted students who demonstrate the academic and visual talent to thrive at Art Center and who come from diverse backgrounds. Enrollment is approximately 1650 undergraduate and 150 graduate students.  

JOB SUMMARY

Art Center is seeking an innovative and entrepreneurial individual to join its admissions team. The Director of Graduate Admissions will focus on developing and implementing recruitment strategies and managing admissions processes for the College’s graduate programs, which include Art, Broadcast Cinema, Environmental Design, Industrial Design, Media Design, and Transportation Design. This is a new position, and presents an opportunity to visualize and build creative recruitment strategies for Art Center’s graduate school.   Responsibilities include developing and executing innovative, effective recruitment events, finding and cultivating qualified prospective students, identifying and cultivating relationships with feeder organizations and resources, and participating in Portfolio Days and related conferences.   In conjunction with the Department Chairs and the Marketing Department, the position will explore and implement creative strategies to attract applicants who demonstrate the desired qualifications and will work collaboratively to meet enrollment goals.   This work will require an entrepreneurial approach, while being mindful of the practices and strategies of the Admissions Department. The Director should have a deep understanding of contemporary art and design disciplines, and be well versed in the differences among the graduate disciplines. Although training on disciplines will be provided, candidates should come from an art and design background that provides the basis for transferal of knowledge among the majors. This expertise will be conveyed through the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue with faculty and students.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Work closely with the Department Chairs of each program, and with the College’s Marketing staff, to develop and execute plans to attract an appropriate level of diverse candidates
• Organize all departmental decision reviews on a seasonal basis, including processing and preparation for reviews, reporting final decisions on applicants, and working as the liaison on scholarship awarding.
• Must meet all notification deadlines during the heavy application months of January – March
• Manage the prospect database and communication plans to convert qualified prospects to applicants
• Monitor deadlines and all print and web-based admissions content for the programs
• Focus heavily on on-line strategies for recruitment purposes, and also assist with on-line programmatic needs for the undergraduate programs—this includes developing relationships with diverse populations and assisting with developing contacts within the Los Angeles community and new on-line communities
• Systematically build and maintain network of Outreach partnerships, on-line and in-person, to gain access to populations of prospective students with interests and professional backgrounds relevant to graduate programs
• Recruitment will include cultivation of international markets and development of key educational and industry contacts at other institutions and organizations, which will include such markets as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, S. Korea, India, Europe, Mexico, Canada, and South America  

• 2-3 years prior admissions and/or marketing experience in a higher educational institution; prior entrepreneurial, business, or industry recruitment experience could be substituted for direct admissions or marketing experience
• Must have depth of knowledge about social media platforms and on-line presence
• Ability to interpret data and respond with creative strategies
• Ability to work with detailed systems, which is crucial during the review and scholarship awarding process
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Master’s degree is required, preferably in an applicable area of art and design or marketing  

Applicants are asked to include a cover letter with their resume stating salary history or salary expections.  

To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and salary history or salary expectations to hr@artcenter.edu

Art Center College of Design is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer committed to excellence through diversity.