Director, International Recruitment

General Purpose 

The Director, International Recruitment will provide strategic vision, leadership, and overall direction in the University of Guelph’s effort to recruit an academically strong and diverse graduate and undergraduate international student body in a manner consistent with the University’s mission and strategic plan for growth, internationalization, and student satisfaction.  

The Director is a senior member of the Registrar’s management team representing the activities and requirements of the unit and the University of Guelph and the University of Guelph-Humber with regards to international recruitment matters. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Be a key advisor to the Registrar, Strategic Enrolment Management committees, and other University leadership in the development and implementation of strategic plans, programs, and policies that ensure successful achievement of the University’s graduate and undergraduate international enrolment goals.
• Provide strategic development, direction and leadership regarding the messaging, communication, and recruitment strategies to effectively manage the University of Guelph’s brand with key constituents such as prospective graduate and undergraduate international students, applicants and admitted students; parents of international students; and other external parties.
• Lead and direct the implementation of graduate and undergraduate international student recruitment initiatives based upon knowledge of contemporary recruitment practices and challenges, including changing demographics and a highly competitive landscape in key geographic markets; regularly reassessing accuracy and effectiveness of recruitment activities and ensuring that the University’s recruitment initiatives are proactive, strategic, and responsive to the changing landscape of higher education.
• Lead the International Recruitment team.
• Oversee a budget of $1.32M for international recruitment, a portion of the Recruitment Marketing and Communications budget, and budget for regional representatives and agents while ensuring the prudent use of departmental resources.
• Provide leadership in benchmarking, innovation, change management, use of technology, and continuous quality improvement, while working with the Institutional Research and Planning team to develop reporting tools to assess international application processes, volume and productivity of international recruitment efforts, and metrics to forecast enrolment.
• Provide leadership for international recruitment strategies, targets, plans, and processes (e.g., enrolment trends, forecasting, marketing, communications), while ensuring strategic goals around quality, diversity, and student success are met. Maintain extensive knowledge pertaining to and ensure that strategic enrolment management and international recruitment team are adhering to academic and internal policies, external policies, and guidelines, as well as legislative requirements.
• Serve on a variety of internal committees offering expert international recruitment, conversion, and general registrarial knowledge.
• Participate in and/or lead provincial or national committees/working groups.  

Requirements  

• Undergraduate degree in student affairs, education, business, management/administration, international relations or marketing and communications. Master's degree preferred.
• 10 years of relevant experience.
• In-depth knowledge of graduate and undergraduate strategic enrolment management principles and strategies. In-depth knowledge of best practices in marketing and communications and recruiting within international markets.
• Experience leading and managing a team responsible for the recruitment of a diverse student population in a university or college. Familiarity with Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), data collection, accessibility legislation (AODA) and University policies and procedures.
• Ability to effectively manage projects and change initiatives that align with organizational strategies and/or provide opportunities to increase efficiency.
• Communication skills with the ability to converse with, write reports for, and deliver presentations to all levels of the organization.
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy including solid negotiation, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to straddle tactical, operational, and strategic orientations.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the political, social, and economic climates within the secondary and post-secondary systems and to respond appropriately to meet enrolment and budget objectives through changes to graduate and undergraduate international recruitment strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Experience in creating and interpreting statistical reports, spreadsheets, and data to formulate a recruitment plan and effectively forecast annual international enrolment.
• Demonstrated analytical skills in the areas of budgets, program/initiative assessments, and/or return on investment. 

Please note that this position requires a valid Driver’s License and Passport for travel to international recruitment visits/events.