Job Summary:

The Associate Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for RPI’s international enrollment initiatives, supervising international recruitment staff, managing global agent partnerships, ensuring DSO compliance, and conducting multi-week international travel. This position oversees recruitment in priority markets including China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, and other territories as determined by the Vice Provost. This position requires the ability to travel domestically and internationally extensively. Regular weekend and evening availability is required during fall recruitment and spring yield seasons.

Who we are:

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎ https://president.rpi.edu/rpi-forward

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world.

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required (or equivalent combination of education and experience). Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of postsecondary recruitment experience, including at least one (1) year of international recruitment experience and at least two (2) years in a management role.
• A valid U.S. passport

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, international education, enrollment management, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience.
• Valid Drivers License

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Slate or similar CRM proficiency including form building, reader workflow administration, and population segmentation;
• Proficiency in interpreting enrollment funnel data, conversion analytics, and yield modeling outputs to make strategic territorial and programmatic decisions;
• Strategic fluency in STEM curricular pathways including engineering, computer science, physical sciences, life sciences, and mathematics at a research-intensive institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in international credential evaluation using NACES standards and the AACRAO EDGE database required, including secondary school systems in priority markets.

Preferred Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

• Advanced proficiency with Banner SIS for admissions operations, including applicant record management, admissions decision processing, document tracking, enrollment status tracking, and reporting to support data integrity, compliance, and international enrollment management.

Representative Job Duties:

• Oversees strategic planning and yield strategy for global enrollment, establishing goals and performance metrics and leading international yield strategy in coordination with the Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Admissions and the Office of Marketing and Communications.
• Develops and manages the international recruitment budget.
• Conducts multi-week international recruitment travel across priority global markets.
• Administers international credential evaluation practices consistent with NACES standards and AACRAO EDGE, with focus on secondary school systems in priority markets including China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and India; conducts advanced transcript evaluations.
• Maintains working knowledge of English language proficiency testing systems including TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, Cambridge, and comparable assessments to support international admissions review.
• Manages global recruitment agents and institutional partnerships and oversees DSO operations and SEVIS compliance.
• Manages student records within SEVIS, including issuance of I-20 documentation and related compliance processes in accordance with federal immigration regulations (8 CFR 214.3 and related provisions).
• Manages sponsor relationships and government scholarship programs, including coordination with international sponsoring agencies.
• Oversees implementation of pathway partnerships (including INTO and similar providers), including recruitment, conditional admission processes, and student progression monitoring.
• Partners with the Office of Financial Aid on international aid administration and sponsor billing processes.
• Uses analytics to forecast enrollment trends and provides strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Represents the institution at national and international conferences.
• Serves as liaison for special populations as assigned.
• Performs other duties as required in support of departmental and institutional objectives.

Shift:

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Travel:

Travel is a significant component of the position (greater than 25%). A valid U.S. passport (or eligibility to obtain one) is required, and the incumbent must be able to secure and maintain all required international travel documentation to perform essential job duties.

• Ability to travel extensively throughout assigned recruitment territories, including frequent overnight, multi-day, and international travel, as required to represent the Institute at high schools, college fairs, recruitment programs, and other outreach events.
• Ability to independently coordinate and manage travel logistics, including transportation, lodging, and scheduling, while maintaining a demanding travel schedule during peak recruitment periods that may require 8–10 weeks of travel annually.
• Ability to travel to and from recruitment locations using available transportation methods, including rental vehicles, personal vehicles, air travel, rail, public transportation, and ride-share services, as appropriate.
• Experience operating a motor vehicle and a valid driver's license are preferred, as the position frequently requires travel to locations where driving may be the most practical or efficient means of transportation.

Starting Salary/Rate:

Expected hiring range: $71,000 - $80,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions:

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Job Posted Date:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information:

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's work and campus communities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.