Assistant Director for Admissions and Recruitment – Visitor Experience

This position plays a pivotal role in crafting exceptional experiences for prospective students, parents, and guests. This leadership position involves managing a diverse team of Admissions Ambassadors to ensure outstanding hospitality during both on-campus and virtual visits.

Salary & Benefits: $60,000 - $70,000, commensurate with experience

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources, and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Primary Duties

• Manage the recruitment, hiring, training, and ongoing coaching of Admissions Ambassadors (student employees) to ensure outstanding hospitality and care during on-campus and virtual visits.
• Personally welcome and assist guests, providing attentive hospitality and ensuring a positive and comfortable experience throughout their visit.
• Supervise the Laker Experience Suite and reception areas of the Admissions and Recruitment Office and its front desk staff.
• Coordinate and manage high-quality, hospitality-focused experiences for prospective students, parents, and guests.
• Develop detailed visit program directives, logistics, plans, itineraries, signage, and staff communications to ensure seamless execution of on-campus visit programs.
• Collaborate with department stakeholders to create and implement visit initiatives aimed at fully engaging prospective students and families with Grand Valley State University’s culture and resources.
• Support all recruitment efforts, including general presentations, special events, and bus group programs, to ensure positive guest experiences.
• Attend local area schools and participate in new student recruitment events such as high school visits and college fairs.
• Assist with the summer orientation program.
• Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of three to five (3-5) years of professional experience in related fields such as admissions, hospitality, and sales.
• Minimum three (3) years of professional experience supervising a large staff or volunteers and effectively fostering teamwork.
• Experience planning, coordinating, or executing complex events or visit programs.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver exceptional customer service and hospitality in high-traffic or public-facing environments.
• Ability to calmly and effectively handle guest issues, unexpected changes, or urgent situations.
• Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage and track data.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Master’s degree in hospitality, business, sales/marketing, or related areas of study.
• Experience in the hospitality industry.
• Experience working with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool such as Slate or similar software.
• Multi-Lingual (i.e. Spanish/English/French) fluency.
• Advanced training and/or certification in team building, leadership, and related areas.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Some evening and weekend work is required at various times throughout the year.

Campus: Allendale

How to Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers . Attach a cover letter and resume. The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Faye Spears at spearsf@gvsu.edu . If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at hro@gvsu.edu .

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment .

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the university.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.