Associate Director, Student Recruitment (Recruitment & Admissions)

Trent University is actively committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Trent University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process or require an accessible version of a document/publication, please contact Human Resources.

Job Purpose:

The Associate Director, Student Recruitment leads the strategic development and implementation of recruitment initiatives to attract and enroll a diverse, high-quality cohort of domestic undergraduate students. Reporting to the Director, Recruitment & Admissions, the Associate Director aligns recruitment efforts with the university's broader strategic enrollment management goals, ensuring the effective use of resources, data-driven decision-making, and innovative outreach to key audiences. This role fosters collaboration across departments and drives engagement with prospective students, families, and educators to enhance Trent University's visibility and appeal.

Key Activities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive recruitment strategy that aligns with the university’s strategic enrollment management and academic priorities.
• Provide leadership and vision to the recruitment team, fostering innovation, collaboration, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Act as a key advisor on recruitment strategies to senior leadership, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and market trends.

Team Development and Leadership

• Recruit, train, and supervise a dynamic team of permanent, contract, and student staff, emphasizing professional growth and leadership development.
• Establish and implement training programs to ensure the team is equipped with advanced skills in communication, presentation, and customer engagement.
• Promote a team environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in serving a wide range of prospective students and families.

Recruitment Strategy and Execution

• Oversee provincial and national undergraduate recruitment activities, ensuring Trent University maintains a strong presence in key markets.
• Manage the campus tours program, optimizing visitor experiences to strengthen Trent’s appeal to prospective students.
• Lead the development of targeted recruitment initiatives, including outreach to high schools, colleges, and transfer student populations.
• Utilize data and market insights to adjust territorial recruitment models and expand Trent's footprint in high-priority regions.

Event and Communication Oversight

• Strategically plan, execute, and evaluate high-impact recruitment events such as Open Houses, applicant receptions, and guidance counselor engagements.
• Collaborate with Communications and other departments to create compelling messaging and materials tailored to prospective students and their influencers.
• Oversee virtual engagement efforts, including webinars and digital outreach, to expand accessibility and engagement with diverse audiences.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building

• Build and maintain strong relationships with high school guidance counselors, college advisors, and other key stakeholders to enhance Trent’s recruitment pipeline.
• Serve as Trent’s representative at provincial and national recruitment forums, ensuring alignment with broader sector trends.
• Partner with internal academic and service departments to ensure seamless communication and alignment of recruitment efforts with institutional priorities.

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Lead the collection, analysis, and reporting of recruitment data to inform strategy and measure effectiveness against enrollment targets.
• Leverage survey results, event feedback, and key performance indicators to refine recruitment tactics and optimize resource allocation.
• Stay informed on industry trends and competitor practices to position Trent as a leading choice for prospective students.

Resource Management

• Manage the recruitment budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to achieve maximum impact.
• Oversee staff expenditures, monitor attendance at events, and ensure fiscal accountability in all recruitment activities.

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (Honours, 4 years) in a relevant field.

Experience/Qualifications Required:

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in post-secondary recruitment with demonstrated success in strategy development and execution.
• Proven expertise in territorial recruitment models and strategic enrollment management principles.
• Strong ability to lead teams in dynamic and evolving environments, balancing multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated proficiency with data analysis and CRM systems to support data-driven decision-making.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• In-depth knowledge of Ontario's secondary and post-secondary education systems, including market trends and recruitment best practices.