University Dean of Admissions & Recruitment

POSITION DETAILS

The City University of New York (CUNY) is the nation?s largest urban public university system, comprising 26 campuses: eleven senior colleges, seven community colleges, one undergraduate honors college, and six postgraduate institutions spread across New York City?s five boroughs. The University?s historic mission- to provide a first-rate public education to all students, regardless of means or background - continues today.

The Office of Enrollment Management (EM) at the Central Office seeks an experienced Higher Education professional to serve as the University Dean of Admissions and Recruitment (UD-AR), a system-level leader who will modernize admissions and oversee university-wide strategy, policy, platforms, operations, and partnerships to create a fair, fast, student-focused experience.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, under the Office of Enrollment Management, an integral part of the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA), the UD-AR will be responsible for leading the University?s central admissions strategy and operations for the enrollment of new undergraduate and graduate students. The UD-AR will oversee units including Admissions Systems, Undergraduate and Graduate Recruitment, and the Welcome Center, with an annual operating budget of approximately $6M. The candidate will support the University's strategic planning, improve admissions and student services, and foster a culture of excellence in student support.

The UD-AR will be knowledgeable about the changing landscape of higher education, modernized high-impact admission practices, and will serve as CUNY's chief system admissions officer, reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and advancing CUNY's mission and the 2023-2030 Strategic Roadmap.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Lead and mentor a high-performing, inclusive central admissions team with clear goals and performance measures.
• Foster a culture of transparency, data-driven decision making, and continuous service improvement across campuses.
• Strengthen leadership capacity through shared training, communities of practice, and cross-campus collaboration.
• Serve as a key member of OEM and OAA leadership teams, aligning admissions strategy with academic planning and student success goals.
• Establish and oversee a systemwide admissions service charter focused on timeliness, equity, accessibility, and communication standards.
• Ensure admissions policies, processes, and communications remain student-centered, fair, and consistent across applicant groups.
• Partner with Marketing & Communications to develop targeted, multi-channel recruitment campaigns and outreach materials.
• Maintain strong relationships with NYSED, NYC Public Schools, elected officials, and professional associations to advance recruitment and policy initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal partners, including Advancement, Government Affairs, and campus leaders, to support enrollment strategies.
• Oversee budgets, procurement, staffing plans, and large-scale change management in a unionized, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Lead development of dashboards and predictive analytics to support data-informed decision-making across the admissions funnel.
• Manage risk and audit readiness through strong privacy practices, fraud prevention, identity verification, and records management.
• Direct recruitment and admissions operations for first-year, transfer, international, graduate, adult, and non-degree student populations.
• Govern admissions platforms, including application processing, CRM systems, AI-enabled tools, and communication technologies.
• Partner with CIS to optimize systems, integrations, and workflows, ensuring a seamless, accessible experience for students and staff.

NOTE:

Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum:

This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience.

Preferred:

• Master's degree; doctorate highly preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in leading large, complex admissions operations; system or state-level experience strongly preferred.
• Passion for student experience and success, and proven effectiveness working with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds in a higher education institution.
• Experience integrating K-16 pipelines, adult learners, and graduate recruitment.
• Proven change management and servant leader with budget, procurement, vendor, staff management, and enhancing leadership capacity in a unionized setting.
• Demonstrated success in identifying and implementing enterprise platforms, managing teams at various locations, and a proven track record of operational efficiency.
• Advanced analytics/predictive modeling literacy and data-governance experience.
• Proven record of nurturing interdivisional collaboration, high emotional intelligence, and a commitment to CUNY?s mission.
• Active professional memberships and participation in correlated professional organizations and associations highly preferred.

CUNY TITLE

University Dean

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range is $175,000 - $190,000 , commensurate with credentials, education, and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials meet the responsibilities and qualifications outlined.

The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:

https://hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS\HRAM\FL.HRS\CG\SEARCH\FL.GBL?Page=HRS\APP\JBPST\FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=31591&PostingSeq=1

Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using their login credentials. After you login, click the Careers tile on the Employee Self Service Menu page to view job openings

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled; the review of applications will begin on 01/23/2026.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Executive

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

Location

Central Office

About CUNY City University of New York - System

The City University of New York provides high-quality, accessible education for more than 269,000 degree-credit students and 270,000 adult, continuing and professional education students at 25 campuses across New York City. The University is an integrated system of senior and community colleges, graduate and professional schools, research centers, institutes and consortia. From certificate courses to Ph.D. programs, CUNY offers postsecondary learning to students of all backgrounds. It provides the city with graduates trained for high-demand positions in the sciences, technology, mathematics, teaching, nursing and other fields. As CUNY has grown, the University also has strengthened its mission as a premier research institution, building an array of modern facilities and expanding the ranks of its world-class faculty. Throughout its history, the University has been an integral part of the city and state through partnerships with public schools, economic development initiatives, immigration aid and financial advice services and other community outreach programs. Today, CUNY faculty and staff continue to benefit New York City — as well as the entire nation — by serving as policy exper...ts to business and government, advisers to nonprofit institutions, civic organizations and community groups. Students, too, are strongly encouraged to experience the cultural, educational and community-based opportunities of the five boroughs, through a network of internships and fellowships, to embracing the city as their campus.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at CUNY City University of New York - System