Director of Admissions

The University of Holy Cross (UHC) is seeking a motivated, strategic, people-centered, and results-oriented professional to guide our recruitment and admissions operations. This role offers the opportunity to strengthen access to higher education, deepen community partnerships, and lead a team dedicated to student success. We are seeking a Director of Admissions who is not just a manager, but a teacher, mentor, and coach for our recruitment team and a champion for our students

About University of Holy Cross
Located in the historic Algiers neighborhood on New Orleans’ West Bank, the University of Holy Cross offers one of the South’s most unique educational and professional environments. Our campus provides a peaceful, tight-knit community just minutes from the vibrant energy of downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter.

Founded in 1916 as a Ministry of the Marianites of Holy Cross, UHC was originally established to prepare teachers for schools across South Louisiana. Today, we maintain an unwavering connection to those roots. At UHC, we are rooted in the Marianite tradition of educating the mind and the heart. Our foundation is built on a faith-based atmosphere and a deep-seated commitment to educating those who serve others. Working at UHC means joining a generous, responsive team of professionals dedicated to excellence.

If you are a relationship builder who thrives on boots on the ground recruiting and is ready to serve as a chief liaison across campus, we want to meet you.

Role Summary
The Director of Admissions is a high-impact, solution-oriented leader responsible for the vision and execution of recruiting and enrolling a diverse student body across all academic offerings, including certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs. Reporting to the Vice President of Enrollment Management, you will manage the full admissions funnel from initial inquiry to a successful first day on campus. In this role, you will be a hands-on leader and an active recruiter, spending time in the community to share the UHC story while strategically using data and technology to drive enrollment goals. You will oversee all aspects of in-person traditional and virtual recruitment, ensuring a seamless experience for prospective students regardless of their program of interest.

The Director will lead a dedicated admissions team, manage day-to-day recruitment efforts, and partner closely with financial aid, marketing, and academic leadership to strengthen UHC’s ability to attract and enroll a diverse and talented student body.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Collaboration
● Partner with the Vice President for Enrollment Management to develop and implement comprehensive enrollment strategies for all academic levels—including certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs—to achieve university-wide enrollment goals.
● Develop and lead short-term and long-term enrollment plans to meet targets for student headcount, academic quality, and revenue.
● Recruit, supervise, and develop the admissions and marketing staff, fostering a culture of accountability, service, and professional growth through coaching and mentorship.
● Monitor and report on admissions progress, performance metrics, and market trends; provide timely data-driven updates to the Vice President and senior leadership.
● Serve as a chief liaison across campus, collaborating with Financial Aid, Academic Deans, Provost, and others to ensure a seamless student-first experience from inquiry to orientation.
● Act as a primary institutional ambassador, representing UHC’s mission and Marianite values at regional events, high schools, and community forums.
● Stay informed about emerging trends in higher education recruitment and marketing to keep UHC competitive in an evolving landscape.

Recruitment & Admissions
● Oversee the full admissions cycle for all programs, including prospect identification, community outreach, application review, and yield strategies.
● Design and implement innovative recruitment initiatives for both traditional in-person markets and virtual/online prospects to expand the university’s reach.
● Build and maintain strong boots on the ground relationships with high school counselors, community organizations, and industry partners to drive enrollment for professional and certificate programs.
● Use data insights to adjust strategies, improve outreach efforts, and enhance the overall student experience through targeted, personalized engagement.

Marketing & Visit Experience
● Lead the enrollment marketing staff to develop student-focused recruitment campaigns across digital, print, and social media channels.
● Ensure UHC’s distinctive traditions and its academic outcomes are compellingly communicated to all prospective students.
● Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of the campus visit experience, including daily tours and large-scale in-person and virtual recruitment events.
● Track and assess the ROI of marketing campaigns and events, adjusting tactics based on conversion data and inquiry generation.

Onboarding & New Student Orientation
● Lead the vision, planning, and execution of comprehensive new student orientation programs for all academic cohorts (undergraduate, graduate, and adult learners).
● Collaborate closely with Academic Affairs to design an onboarding process that successfully transitions students from deposited to enrolled.
● Coordinate with faculty, student leaders, and campus departments to ensure orientation reflects UHC’s welcoming community and provides students with the tools needed for academic success.
● Gather and analyze feedback from new students and families to refine orientation programming and improve first-year retention.

Operational & Resource Management
● Oversee and enhance the use of the Slate CRM to optimize communication plans, application review, and data reporting.
● Manage the departmental budget, including planning for recruitment travel, campus events, and marketing initiatives.
● Manage relationships with external partners and search providers to ensure cost-effectiveness and high-quality lead generation.

Qualifications

Required
● Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
● Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in higher education admissions with increasing levels of leadership and responsibility.
● Demonstrated experience in Slate CRM strategic practices and data-informed decision-making.
● Proven track record of supervising and developing a professional team in a collaborative environment.
● Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills, with the ability to represent UHC authentically in diverse settings.
● A commitment to the Marianite tradition of holistic education and serving a diverse student body.
● Proven ability to lead the planning and execution of dynamic recruitment & yield events, campus tours, and orientation programs.
● Exceptional ability to oversee complex projects, maintain strict timelines, and manage departmental operations with precision.
● Ability to connect with prospective students, families, and community partners from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred
● A documented track record of improving application volume, yield rates, and overall enrollment results.
● Experience managing recruitment across multiple academic levels (Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional/Adult).

Why UHC & New Orleans?
Working at UHC means joining a family. Our campus in Algiers Point is known for its oak-lined streets, historic shotgun houses, and a quiet, community-focused vibe that is unique to the West Bank.

● Culture: Experience the world-class cuisine, music, and festivals of New Orleans while enjoying a manageable cost of living and a unique neighborhood feel.
● Community: UHC provides a faith-based atmosphere where every student (and staff member) is given personal attention and recognized for their infinite worth.

Applicants who meet the qualifications listed above are invited to submit a complete application packet, consisting of a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation to Jennifer Jeansonne, jennifer.jeansonne@uhcno.edu in a single submission. Incomplete application packets will not be considered.

Equal Opportunity
The University of Holy Cross assures equal opportunity for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, marital status, or veterans’ status in the admission to, participation in, or employment of its programs and activities.