Rider University
Vice President for Enrollment Management

Rider University seeks an experienced, entrepreneurial and strategic leader to oversee all aspects of the Admissions (both traditional and nontraditional undergraduate programs, continuing studies, online, and graduate programs), One-Stop Services, Enrollment Reporting and Planning, and Financial Aid operations of the University. S/he will work collaboratively with the University community to achieve the University’s goals in the context of its mission and strategic plan.

With campuses located in Lawrenceville and Princeton, New Jersey, Rider is a vibrant, student-centered independent, residential university with approximately 5,100 undergraduate, graduate, and non-traditional students. Under the leadership of president Dr. Gregory Dell’Omo, the institution is engaged in a strategic plan that emphasizes an unwavering focus on student growth and development; a commitment to planning, implementation, and continuous improvement; the strategic cultivation, management, and investment of resources; the importance of our people; and branding, marketing, and promotion of the University.

Rider University is situated in the heart of the Northeast corridor and is conveniently located 60 miles south of New York City and 35 miles north of Philadelphia. The University has invested more than $125 million over the last decade on both campuses in new and upgraded facilities, including construction of the Marion Buckelew Cullen Center (home of the Hillman Performance Hall), a new academic building, new and renovated residence halls, a 55,000 square foot Student Recreation Center, main stage and studio theatres, science labs, a new greenhouse and several other projects. Rider University is ranked No. 34 in Regional Universities North by U.S. News & World Report, 2017 and University’s sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I/ Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

The Position
The Vice President for Enrollment Management (VPEM) is responsible for providing leadership and coordination for a comprehensive enrollment management strategy that is consistent with the goals, mission, and resources of Rider University. The Vice President is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the execution of an annual comprehensive enrollment plan with appropriate goals that include strategies to recruit and enroll students for the University’s traditional undergraduate, nontraditional undergraduate, online, continuing studies and graduate programs. The VPEM oversees all aspects of the admissions and financial aid operations of the University. Additionally, the VPEM is responsible for developing annual admissions and marketing budgets; building, leading and motivating the appropriate teams to ensure that enrollment goals are met; developing, implementing and leading an integrated marketing and communication plan in partnership with the marketing and communications division and Rider University’s leadership team; and collaborating with academic deans and others to develop annual marketing plans to achieve academic program department enrollment goals. In addition to internal constituents, the vice president for enrollment management is expected to work collaboratively and constructively with external partners including vendors and consultants under contract within Enrollment Management.

The Vice President reports to the President and serves on the President’s senior leadership team. The VPEM works closely with the President, Board of Trustees, Vice President for Advancement, Provost, and other senior leaders to provide appropriate direction on enrollment management matters. Additionally, the VPEM collaborates closely with academic deans to share enrollment projections and to determine short and long term targets for both tuition revenue and headcounts. The vice president for enrollment management is responsible for an operating budget of over $80 million, financial aid awarding of over $92 million, of which $75 million is provided by the institution, and 53 staff members.

Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree (Master’s strongly preferred) and a minimum of ten years of progressive experience and leadership in enrollment management is required. The Vice President for Enrollment Management must be a highly efficient, effective, and results-oriented individual with strong business acumen, proven ability to lead and knowledge of best practices and current trends in the enrollment field. Data informed decision making, an understanding of branding and marketing strategies and tactics specifically as applicable to student recruitment in the digital market place is expected. The successful candidate will be a visionary and a strategic thinker. The position requires a high level of understanding of website design/functionality, digital analytics, and familiarity with a social media suite, strong connotative skills and the ability to analyze issues critically. The ideal candidate also will demonstrate excellent communication skills, outstanding integrity, effective leadership and team building skills. Experience in managing student information systems, budget oversight, financial aid and leveraging, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external constituents will be important factors in the selection of the new Vice President for Enrollment Management.

Application and Nomination
Review of applications begins March 9, 2018. Interested candidates should apply for this position online via the Williams & Company website at: www.williamscompany.net. Confidential inquiries and/or nominations may be directed to Martha Smiles at: Martha@williamscompany.net or (802) 497-0151.

Please visit Rider University’s website at www.rider.edu

Rider University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, handicap/disability, Vietnam-era/disabled veteran status, or any other non-job related criteria.