Niagara University is a liberal arts university, steeped in the Vincentian and Catholic traditions, with a total enrollment of nearly 4,300 students. Located just a few miles away from one of the world's premier tourism destinations, Niagara Falls, the university occupies a lovely campus overlooking the Niagara River gorge. Its close proximity to major cultural and business centers in Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Toronto as well as the award-winning Niagara Wine Trail and several nearby cultural destinations make Niagara University an ideal place to work and live. If you'd like to know more, check out all of the NU Facts.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, the Director of Graduate Recruitment and Marketing for the Niagara University Ontario campus is responsible for the development and execution of graduate recruiting and marketing strategies in relation to graduate programs offered by the College of Business Administration and the College of Arts and Sciences. The Director of Graduate Recruitment and Marketing is responsible for managing the Ontario recruitment team and for maximizing recruitment efforts through in-person and electronic recruiting and outreach. This position involves the initiation, coordination, and execution of formalized agreements to support recruiting, for example, agreements with Ontario colleges and universities and businesses in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition, the Director will participate in routine admissions operations as prospective students move through the application process toward enrolment. This position also requires the planning of research-based marketing plans and collaboration with stakeholders and vendors to develop engaging content for student recruitment initiatives using a range of media, including social media channels, website platforms, external advertising, email outreach, and literature. The Director will provide management and oversight of content on the Ontario campus website, coordinate workflow of marketing projects, and deliver timely reports on campaign performance. This role requires the ability to develop and implement strategic communications and research-based marketing plans that represent the outstanding graduate programs at Niagara University Ontario campus and support the enrolment goals for the various programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Develop and implement recruitment and marketing strategy to achieve established enrolment targets.
• Provide supervision and oversight of the recruitment team to align recruiting efforts with overall strategy to meet enrolment goals.
• Use CRM to manage and track progress towards enrolment targets and to assist recruiters with supporting prospective students in a timely manner.
• Supervise the manager of admissions operations to ensure efficient and effective use of the CRM to seamlessly move students through the admissions process, to provide regular reports, and to identify areas for improvement.
• Establish, develop, and maintain relationships with new and existing academic, corporate business partners, public partners, and not-for-profits in the regional and broader community.
• Manage the recruitment and marketing budget to maximize the value of expenditures related to marketing and media expenses, recruitment-related travel, recruitment events, and marketing and recruitment vendor agreements, etc.
• Pursue performance objectives for Ontario graduate enrolment and effectively communicate proposed actions to reach enrolment goals and address deficiencies.
• Counsel and guide prospective students through the initial NU application process as necessary; directly assist them to expedite and complete the process through to conversion.
• Arrange an appropriate, timely, and cost-effective travel schedule to achieve recruitment objectives.
• Work collaboratively with campus partners across campuses to enhance the experience of prospective students and streamline the admissions process; campus partners include the Executive Vice President, Office of the Provost, Deans of the colleges, admissions and marketing, information technology, financial services, student affairs, international student service, and more.
• Maintain and expand the social media presence of Niagara University Ontario graduate programs, through LinkedIn and Facebook and other appropriate social media channels in coordination with our Graduate Marketing Communications Specialist
• Work with university supported marketing entities to develop clear and effective materials (electronic and physical) to support graduate programs. Pursue revision and maintenance of the assigned graduate websites and virtual presence in coordination with the marketing team.
• Engage campus partners and vendors in the development and execution of graduate-targeted student recruitment marketing plans including developing short- and long-term promotion strategies. Coordinate and manage graduate advertising initiatives and execution, both in-house and with affiliated advertising agencies.
• Manage graduate social media channels including content creation, scheduling, performance assessment, and monitoring.
• Oversee regular review and updating of graduate content on the ontario.niagara.edu website for accuracy, high quality content that engages students, utilizing content management tools and CMS integration software.
• Oversee and participate in the writing, editing, and proofreading of written content (e-mails, brochures, ads, viewbooks, etc.) used in conjunction with the marketing and communications efforts.
• Analyze and provide reporting on content performance from customer relationship management systems (e.g., Slate), social media (e.g., in-platform), and website metrics (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate and interact with university personnel and prospective students in a positive and constructive manner.
• Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Excellent care and attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong work ethic and personal integrity. Dedication, commitment, and ability to work evenings and weekends when necessary.
• Strong informational technology aptitude and skills including Microsoft Office and the SLATE software (or comparable CRM platforms) as well as any other multifunctional admissions and marketing software.
• Exceptional skills in communications, marketing, and interpersonal relations. Aptitude and skill to work effectively by providing feedback to enhance processes and performance while ensuring accountability for established objectives.
• Ability to interpret government regulations as they relate to domestic and international students based at the Ontario campus.
• Knowledge of admissions, marketing, and international fields using evidence-based practices to inform decision making.
• Extensive knowledge of social media channels including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, and emerging technologies
• Ability to drive a personal or university vehicle for the purpose of university business on a regular basis.
• Ability to supervise professional and student employees, as necessary.
• Must develop strong knowledge of and commitment to Niagara University's mission and programs.

ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS:

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

• Bachelor's degree (minimum), Master's degree preferred, from an accredited institution.
• A minimum of 6+ years direct experience in recruiting and/or university marketing at the college or university level with a record of significant results in identifying, engaging and facilitating the enrolment of students and achieving recruitment and enrolment goals.