Director of Admissions- Phoenix Arizona Campus

Nelson University - American Indian College is a Christ-focused and culturally diverse community dedicated to equipping both Native and Non-Native students—spiritually, academically, professionally, and cross-culturally—for their God-given callings in Christian Ministry, Marketplace Leadership, and Service to the world.

The Director of Admissions provides strategic leadership for all undergraduate recruitment and admissions operations at Nelson University - American Indian College. Reporting to senior enrollment leadership, the Director is the primary stakeholder responsible for attracting, recruiting, and enrolling a diverse student body consistent with the University’s mission, goals, and enrollment targets. The Director designs and executes comprehensive recruitment strategies, leads the Admissions team, manages departmental resources, and serves as the principal representative of the University to prospective students, families, church partners, high schools, community colleges, and other key influencers.

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine a multi-year strategic recruitment and enrollment plan aligned with institutional goals and the unique mission of serving our diverse population of students – athletes and non-athletes alike.

• Establish annual enrollment targets, yield goals, and key performance indicators; monitor progress and adjust tactics in real time.

• Lead, supervise, coach, and evaluate the Admissions Counselors and student ambassadors; foster a high-performance, mission-aligned culture.

• Oversee the full admissions funnel—inquiry through enrollment—ensuring timely, accurate, and personalized communication at every stage.

• Analyze recruitment data, market trends, and competitor activity to inform strategy and resource allocation.

• Collaborate closely with Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Life, Academics, Athletics, and other campus partners to create a seamless enrollment experience.

• Direct and participate in strategic recruitment travel (approximately 25–35% of time) to college fairs, high schools, community colleges, churches, District Youth Conventions, athletic events, and other key venues.

• Personally cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with guidance counselors, youth pastors, senior pastors, denominational leaders, tribal education offices, and other influencers who shape college choice for prospective students.

• Represent Nelson University - American Indian College with professionalism, warmth, and clear articulation of the University’s distinctive Christian and Native American mission.

• Train, equip, and oversee student recruitment teams who travel and represent the University.

• Own the overall campus visit strategy and experience, ensuring every prospective student and family leaves with a clear understanding of the value of a Nelson education and a positive, memorable impression.

• Plan, market, and execute Campus Days, weekend visit events, group visits, and specialized yield events.

• Host high-priority individual and VIP campus visits; conduct impactful presentations and campus tours as needed.

• Ensure seamless coordination of visits that include chapel, classes, faculty/coach meetings, cafeteria experiences, and other high-interest activities.

• Develop and manage the Admissions departmental budget; authorize expenditures and reconcile credit card and travel accounts.

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations related to admissions, recruitment, and consumer information.

• Maintain accurate records and reporting systems; produce regular enrollment and funnel reports for senior leadership.

• Oversee CRM utilization, communication plans, and data integrity within the Admissions office.

• Pursue ongoing professional development in enrollment management, higher education trends, and best practices relevant to Christian and Native American higher education.

• Perform other duties as assigned by senior enrollment or institutional leadership.

• Candidate must be an openly committed Christian, living a Spirit-filled life and be an active attendee of an Assemblies of God or bible-believing church.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university required; Master’s degree in Higher Education, Enrollment Management, Business, or a related field strongly preferred.

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive experience in college admissions, enrollment management, or related student recruitment roles, with at least 2–3 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity preferred.

• Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding enrollment goals and building effective recruitment strategies, preferably within a Christian higher-education or mission-driven context.

• Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; proven ability to inspire confidence in prospective students, families, and external partners. Strong customer-service orientation is essential.

• Proven leadership, team-building, and coaching skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt quickly to changing conditions, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong analytical skills and comfort with data-informed decision making; experience with CRM systems (e.g., Slate, Salesforce, or similar) preferred.

• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record required; willingness and ability to travel extensively (including evenings, weekends, and overnight trips) is essential.

• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, and strong command of professional written communication and grammar.

Complete the fields to the right of this screen under “Apply here”. These fields contain intake information. After clicking submit application, you will be taken to the Nelson Employment Application where you will be asked to list references and previous employment positions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Questions regarding this position may be directed to the Human Resources Office at [email protected]. Your resume may be included when submitting the application to the Human Resources Office.

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