Assistant Dean for Recruiting & Admissions

SMU Meadows School of the Arts educates visionary artists, scholars, and arts and communications professionals to create sustainable and transformative impact on both local and global society. Today, the Meadows School has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States and offers training in an unique mix of the arts – visual (art and art history), performing (dance, music, and theatre) and communications (advertising, film and media arts, corporate communication and public affairs, and journalism) – as well as a preeminent programs in arts management and arts entrepreneurship and creative computation.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The position serves as the senior leader responsible for the vision, strategy, and execution of all undergraduate and graduate recruitment and admissions for the Meadows School of the Arts. With full accountability for enrollment outcomes across diverse programs, including dual-admission disciplines, the position exercises significant autonomy in shaping recruitment strategy, admissions processes, and financial aid leveraging. Working closely with the Dean, faculty leadership, and university partners, the position aligns academic priorities with enrollment goals. This role leads a data-informed approach to recruitment, using analytics and market intelligence to guide decision-making, strengthen Meadows’ national position, and ensure the successful recruitment of top-tier students.

Essential Functions:

• Strategic Leadership & Accountability - Provide vision, leadership, and full accountability for recruitment and admissions outcomes across all undergraduate and graduate Meadows programs, including dual-admission disciplines and direct-admit majors, aligning enrollment strategy with school and university priorities.
• Enrollment Strategy & Execution - Design and implement a comprehensive, data-driven recruitment and admissions strategy, including application generation, yield optimization, and financial aid leveraging, with authority to adjust tactics in response to market conditions and enrollment performance.
• Admissions Process Oversight - Direct and oversee all Meadows admissions processes, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and alignment with institutional policies, while supporting discipline-specific requirements such as auditions, portfolios, and faculty review.
• Faculty & Academic Partnership - Lead and influence division chairs, program directors, and faculty to develop and execute discipline-specific recruitment strategies that align with school-wide enrollment goals and support the shaping of incoming classes.
• Data, Analytics & Market Intelligence - Leverage data, analytics, and market research to inform strategy, monitor performance, and provide actionable insights to the Dean and academic leadership, ensuring continuous improvement and competitive positioning.
• Team Leadership & Operations - Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing recruitment and admissions team, establishing clear goals, accountability measures, and professional development opportunities to support operational excellence.
• Marketing, Outreach & Representation - Oversee recruitment communications, events, and outreach in partnership with Marketing, and represent Meadows at institutional and national levels to enhance visibility, build relationships, and expand the prospective student pipeline.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Resource Management - Collaborate with university partners (Admissions, Financial Aid, Advising, Marketing) to ensure seamless processes and student experience, and oversee recruitment-related resources and budgets to maximize impact and return on investment.
• Occasional evening/weekend hours will be required.
• Frequent travel will be required for student recruitment and conferences. 

Education and Experience:

A Master's degree required. A degree in Arts (performing or visual), Communications or Education or is preferred.

A minimum six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education admissions, recruitment, or enrollment management, including experience in arts or specialized admissions environments is required. Experience must include direct work in specialized admissions environments (arts preferred), not solely general admissions. Experience managing budgets, financial aid leveraging strategies, or resource allocation in support of enrollment goal is preferred. 

A minimum four (4) years of leadership experience, including supervision of professional staff and management of complex teams or functions is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Candidate must be able to demonstrate strategic leadership and decision-making authority in complex academic environments.

Candidate must have advanced analytical skills with ability to translate data into actionable enrollment strategies.

Candidate must possess a deep understanding of enrollment trends and competitive landscape.

Candidate needs a strong understanding of dual-admission or portfolio/audition-based admissions processes.

Candidate must be able to collaborate with and influence faculty and senior academic leadership.

Candidate must have proficiency with admissions CRM systems (e.g., Slate) and data analysis tools. Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook are necessary. 

Candidate must be familiar with data visualization and reporting tools to support decision-making. Ability to learn and leverage new technologies and systems that enhance recruitment, admissions operations, and enrollment strategy is a plus.