Columbia College
Vice President of Enrollment Management
Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina, us, 29228
JOB SUMMARY
Columbia College seeks a visionary and results-driven Vice President of Enrollment Management to join its senior leadership team. Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Provost, this role will lead all aspects of student recruitment, admissions, financial aid, and retention efforts with a data-driven focus on student success and institutional growth. The Vice President will shape and implement a strategic enrollment management plan that is innovative and aligned with Columbia College’s mission. Collaborating with cross-campus stakeholders, this leader will play a critical role in promoting and maintaining a collaborative, student-centered culture that prioritizes enrollment growth, retention, and student success.
As a senior advisor to the President and Board of Trustees, the Vice President will provide strategic guidance on key enrollment-related areas such as scholarship allocation, discounting strategies, and tuition models, that support the College's long-term financial sustainability while meeting its mission to serve a diverse student population.
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Develops and executes a forward-thinking, data-informed strategic enrollment management plan that addresses institutional priorities, including growth in undergraduate, graduate, and online programs.
Establishes and regularly assesses predictive enrollment models and indicators, using real-time analytics to inform recruitment, financial aid, and retention strategies.
Leads efforts to diversify and expand student recruitment pipelines through partnerships with high schools, community organizations, and digital recruitment platforms. Enhances recruitment efforts for non-traditional and underrepresented students through targeted outreach and marketing initiatives.
Partners with academic affairs, student life, and student support services to design and implement holistic retention programs that address students’ academic, social, and financial needs. These efforts should focus on enhancing student engagement, advising, and retention across the student lifecycle.
Designs and manages progressive financial aid policies and scholarship programs that balance accessibility for students with the College’s financial goals. Leads efforts to optimize net tuition revenue while ensuring Columbia College’s affordability and appeal to prospective students.
Analyzes and reports on enrollment data, trends, and progress toward institutional goals. Presents actionable insights to the Executive Vice President, President, and Board of Trustees, contributing to informed decision-making on financial aid strategies and enrollment forecasting.
Fosters a culture of collaboration, transparency, and accountability within the enrollment management division. Leads and inspires a high-performing team, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and the strategic vision.
Stays informed on the latest trends and best practices in higher education enrollment management, financial aid, and retention, continuously seeking opportunities to innovate and improve processes.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:
Master’s degree in higher education administration, business or a related field; doctorate preferred.
Minimum 7-10 years of progressively responsible leadership in enrollment management, admissions, financial aid, or related areas, with a demonstrated record of achieving measurable outcomes in a complex higher education environment.
Proven experience developing and implementing innovative enrollment strategies that drive measurable growth, including experience in digital recruitment and retention of non-traditional student populations.
Deep knowledge of financial aid strategies, including scholarship allocation, discounting models, and optimizing net tuition revenue.
A record of successful leadership, managing and inspiring teams to foster collaboration, accountability, and results in line with institutional goals.
Must have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, utilizing Outlook, Word, Excel and Microsoft Teams, including data systems and database software skills necessary to create and maintain reports and logs.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and Board members.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to use data to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
Experience in managing change, particularly in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.
Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This position is a key member of the senior leadership team and will be expected to work closely with other campus leaders to ensure alignment with institutional priorities. The Vice President of Enrollment Management will also work collaboratively with external partners, including community organizations and high schools, to support recruitment efforts.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Requires sedentary work that involves walking, standing, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, hearing, mental acuity, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work environment risks exposure to no known environmental hazards.
EOE M/F/D/V
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Columbia College seeks a visionary and results-driven Vice President of Enrollment Management to join its senior leadership team. Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Provost, this role will lead all aspects of student recruitment, admissions, financial aid, and retention efforts with a data-driven focus on student success and institutional growth. The Vice President will shape and implement a strategic enrollment management plan that is innovative and aligned with Columbia College’s mission. Collaborating with cross-campus stakeholders, this leader will play a critical role in promoting and maintaining a collaborative, student-centered culture that prioritizes enrollment growth, retention, and student success.
As a senior advisor to the President and Board of Trustees, the Vice President will provide strategic guidance on key enrollment-related areas such as scholarship allocation, discounting strategies, and tuition models, that support the College's long-term financial sustainability while meeting its mission to serve a diverse student population.
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Develops and executes a forward-thinking, data-informed strategic enrollment management plan that addresses institutional priorities, including growth in undergraduate, graduate, and online programs.
Establishes and regularly assesses predictive enrollment models and indicators, using real-time analytics to inform recruitment, financial aid, and retention strategies.
Leads efforts to diversify and expand student recruitment pipelines through partnerships with high schools, community organizations, and digital recruitment platforms. Enhances recruitment efforts for non-traditional and underrepresented students through targeted outreach and marketing initiatives.
Partners with academic affairs, student life, and student support services to design and implement holistic retention programs that address students’ academic, social, and financial needs. These efforts should focus on enhancing student engagement, advising, and retention across the student lifecycle.
Designs and manages progressive financial aid policies and scholarship programs that balance accessibility for students with the College’s financial goals. Leads efforts to optimize net tuition revenue while ensuring Columbia College’s affordability and appeal to prospective students.
Analyzes and reports on enrollment data, trends, and progress toward institutional goals. Presents actionable insights to the Executive Vice President, President, and Board of Trustees, contributing to informed decision-making on financial aid strategies and enrollment forecasting.
Fosters a culture of collaboration, transparency, and accountability within the enrollment management division. Leads and inspires a high-performing team, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and the strategic vision.
Stays informed on the latest trends and best practices in higher education enrollment management, financial aid, and retention, continuously seeking opportunities to innovate and improve processes.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:
Master’s degree in higher education administration, business or a related field; doctorate preferred.
Minimum 7-10 years of progressively responsible leadership in enrollment management, admissions, financial aid, or related areas, with a demonstrated record of achieving measurable outcomes in a complex higher education environment.
Proven experience developing and implementing innovative enrollment strategies that drive measurable growth, including experience in digital recruitment and retention of non-traditional student populations.
Deep knowledge of financial aid strategies, including scholarship allocation, discounting models, and optimizing net tuition revenue.
A record of successful leadership, managing and inspiring teams to foster collaboration, accountability, and results in line with institutional goals.
Must have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, utilizing Outlook, Word, Excel and Microsoft Teams, including data systems and database software skills necessary to create and maintain reports and logs.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and Board members.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to use data to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
Experience in managing change, particularly in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.
Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This position is a key member of the senior leadership team and will be expected to work closely with other campus leaders to ensure alignment with institutional priorities. The Vice President of Enrollment Management will also work collaboratively with external partners, including community organizations and high schools, to support recruitment efforts.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Requires sedentary work that involves walking, standing, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, hearing, mental acuity, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work environment risks exposure to no known environmental hazards.
EOE M/F/D/V
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