Associate Director of Master Programs

Associate Director of Master Programs

Duke Kunshan University

Job Description

Position Overview:

Duke Kunshan University is seeking an Associate Director of Master Programs to oversee recruitment, admissions and operations for master programs.

The Associate Director will be responsible for leading recruitment, admissions and operations for all master programs. He/she will lead an ambitious recruitment team dedicated to promoting master programs and attracting top-tier master students on a global scale. Responsibilities include conducting market research, developing innovative recruitment strategies, planning and overseeing recruitment campaigns, ensuring the efficiency of admission processes and overseeing major events.

Duke Kunshan University is a partnership of Duke University, Wuhan University and the Municipality of Kunshan, China. DKU is in Kunshan, China, about 30 km from Shanghai. DKU offers five graduate degree programs and launched its undergraduate degree program in 2018. DKU also offers custom executive education programs to Chinese and multinational companies. Our beautiful campus provides a reflective environment for relaxed, transformative learning.

Reports to:

Associate Vice-Chancellor for Graduate Studies and Research

Essential Duties:

Strategic Direction

• Lead the goal-setting, planning and process development for master recruitment and admission. Work with the leadership team to ensure that recruiting strategies align with program offerings.
• Develop a strategic, data-driven recruitment plan to identify and attract a highly qualified and diverse student body that meets the annual enrollment target of each master program.

Marketing & Recruitment

• Work closely with program directors and faculty to align recruitment efforts with program-specific goals, identify and prioritize key selling messages, and ensure that they are effectively involved in the recruitment process.
• Conduct market research to identify target audiences and assess competitors and market demand.
• Plan and oversee recruitment efforts and activities across all master programs, including roadshows, information sessions, university visits, and third-party collaborations.
• Build relationships with domestic and international universities, institutions, and organizations for marketing and recruitment opportunities.
• Represent the master programs on campus and at off-campus recruitment events, conferences, college fairs, and other activities to increase program visibility and generate inquiries.
• Generate and/or control the quality of all marketing materials for master programs, including but not limited to print and online content, websites, social media posts, and WeChat accounts. Ensure all the content related to admissions is updated and accurate.
• Analyze market trends and develop contemporary digital marketing strategy and outreach techniques to maximize reach and effectiveness.
• Continue to identify sources for prospective students via different pipelines and opportunities to prompt the master program within the market.
• Supervise the collection of accurate recruitment and enrollment data for master students. Regularly report recruitment results and forecasts, providing insights and strategic adjustments as required.
• Cultivate ongoing relationships with other departments across the campus, particularly communications and student engagement.
• Oversee digital marketing activities over social media accounts.

Admissions

• Understand the admissions requirements and processes for each master program and ensure the efficiency of master admission workflows and processes.
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of the Slate system with internal stakeholders at Duke and DKU.

Operations

• Organize major events for master programs (e.g., commencement, orientation, etc.) in collaboration with all program coordinators.
• Support special requests for master programs (e.g., data collection) by working with all program coordinators.
• Supervise the program coordinator for the Master Program of Management Studies (MMS).

Supervision and Team Development

• Maintain a positive attitude and display a willingness to be an effective team leader.
• Hire, supervise, and develop staff and interns to ensure the successful and efficient execution of the recruitment and admission processes.
• Identify team training and development opportunities and encourage the team to participate in training and development opportunities inside and outside DKU.
• Provide on-the-job coaching and other support to the team.

Budgeting

• Create budgets for the master program recruitment/admissions team and the MMS program.
• Analyze budget variances and implement within budget limits.
• Monitor promotional activities and recruitment travel expenditures to evaluate recruitment effectiveness.
• Develop innovative ideas to enhance the effectiveness of recruitment strategies.

Others

• Work toward achieving assigned annual objectives and KPIs, demonstrating accountability for performance and results.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• University employees’ job responsibilities will continue to expand in scope and depth as the University grows in size and complexity in its programs.

Required Qualifications:

• The candidate should at least possess an undergraduate degree. A graduate degree is preferred.
• A minimum of seven years of experience in recruitment, admissions or program management in higher education or relevant industries. At least 3 years of people management experience.
• Proven ability to lead a successful team in a highly competitive admissions landscape.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrable capacity to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills in English and Chinese.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the aptitude to interpret data and trends to inform strategies.
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness, with an international perspective ideally gained through previous professional experience.
• Flexibility and adaptability, able to navigate a rapidly changing environment to work irregular hours and travel extensively as needed.
• Solid understanding of the higher education sector and a commitment to upholding the best academic and ethical standards in recruitment and admissions.
• Experience with CRM systems and digital recruitment tools.