Associate Dean, Admissions & Student Affairs (School of Government & Policy)

Position OverviewThis is a founding leadership role with exceptional scope for entrepreneurial impact. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build infrastructure for recruiting, enrollment, and student services from the ground up, establishing systems, processes, and partnerships that will shape the School's trajectory for years to come.Reporting to the Dean, we are seeking an Associate Dean, Admissions and Student Affairs who will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the complete student journey from recruitment through graduation and career placement and will serve as a key advisor to the Dean as a member of their leadership team.This executive role is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive strategies that advance enrollment goals, ensure student success, and prepare graduates for professional leadership in government, policy, and public service. Working collaboratively with the Dean, the School's senior leadership team, and partners across Johns Hopkins University, this leader will build a best-in-class enrollment and student services operation that reflects the School's commitment to excellence, innovation, and public impact.This position requires an entrepreneurial mindset. The ideal candidate will be energized by building new programs and systems within a well-established institution, comfortable with ambiguity, and motivated by the opportunity to create lasting impact.Specific Duties & ResponsibilitiesStrategic Enrollment LeadershipStrategic Leadership & Decision-Making: Serve as a senior advisor to the Dean on all enrollment matters, including pricing strategies, financial aid packaging, fellowship allocation, and enrollment forecasting; develop and execute data-driven enrollment strategies aligned with the School's mission and growth objectivesAnalytics & Infrastructure: Build comprehensive enrollment dashboards and analytics infrastructure to enable evidence-based decision-making across all enrollment functionsTarget Setting & Execution: Set ambitious yet achievable enrollment targets and develop actionable plans to meet them across all program modalitiesPartnership Development & External EngagementPartnership Development & External EngagementCultivate strategic partnerships with federal agencies, think tanks, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and international institutions to enhance enrollment and career outcomesDevelop employer partnerships that provide students with internships, capstone projects, and career placement opportunitiesBuild and maintain relationships with alumni to support recruitment, mentoring, and career developmentRepresent the School's pluralistic mission at national conferences, policy forums, and professional gatherings to elevate visibility and attract top talentRecruitment & Admissions ExcellenceBuild and lead a high-performing admissions operation for all graduate programs and executive education offeringsDesign and implement recruitment strategies that attract highly qualified, motivated, pluralistic, and mission-aligned candidates from across sectorsEnsure seamless, applicant-centered admissions experiences while maintaining compliance with federal regulations and accreditation standardsPartner with Marketing & Communications to create compelling messaging and outreach campaignsFinancial Aid StrategyOptimize available financial aid in alignment with School goalsAdvise the Dean on discount rates, scholarship budgets, and return on investment for financial aid investmentsDevelop transparent, equitable processes for financial aid review and distributionStudent Success & Academic ServicesProvide executive oversight of academic advising, student success coaching, career services, and registration operationsCreate integrated support systems that address students' academic, professional, and personal development needsLead implementation of degree audit systems, registration processes, and academic policy administrationResolve complex student issues efficiently while maintaining positive relationshipsTrack and improve retention, time-to-degree, graduation rates, and student satisfaction metricsCareer Development & Professional PlacementBuild comprehensive career services that prepare students for leadership roles in government, policy, innovation, and corporate sectorsDevelop industry connections that lead to meaningful internships and career opportunitiesTrack and report on career outcomes to demonstrate program value and inform continuous improvementCreate programming that builds professional skills and expands students' networksTechnology & Operational ExcellencePartner with university offices (University wide Office of Student Enrollment and Account Management (SEAM), Student Services Excellence Initiative (SSEI) and the Registrar's Office) to ensure alignment with university standards, leverage enterprise systems and services to the fullest extent, and optimize student experiencesImplement CRM, student information systems, and analytics platforms to improve efficiency and outcomesChampion process improvements that reduce administrative burden and enhance user experienceEnsure systems meet accessibility standards and serve diverse student populationsIdentify, evaluate, and manage relationships with external vendors supporting enrollment and student servicesNegotiate contracts that deliver value while maintaining quality standardsMonitor vendor performance and hold partners accountable to service level agreementsTeam Leadership & Budget ManagementRecruit, develop, and retain a talented, high performing team of enrollment and student services professionalsFoster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and student-centerednessManage budgets strategically to maximize impact while ensuring fiscal responsibilityRepresent the School on university-wide committees and contribute to institutional initiativesEssential CompetenciesStrategic Vision & ExecutionDemonstrated ability to build programs, systems, and teams from inception or in early-stage environmentsComfort with ambiguity and ability to make sound decisions with incomplete informationTrack record of creative problem-solving and innovative thinkingProven ability to translate vision into actionable strategies with measurable resultsExperience setting and achieving ambitious enrollment and retention goalsStrong project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneouslyData-Driven Decision MakingAdvanced analytical capabilities and experience with enrollment forecasting, modeling, and reportingProficiency with CRM systems, student information systems, and data visualization toolsAbility to translate data insights into strategic recommendationsPartnership DevelopmentDemonstrated success building and sustaining partnerships with external organizations, particularly in government, nonprofit, and policy sectorsStrong relationship-building skills and professional network in relevant fieldsExperience leveraging partnerships to advance enrollment and career outcomesTeam Leadership & ManagementProven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teamsExperience managing complex organizations with multiple functional areasCollaborative leadership style with ability to influence without direct authorityCommunication & Relationship BuildingExceptional verbal and written communication skillsAbility to represent the institution effectively with diverse stakeholdersExperience presenting to executive leadership, boards, and external audiencesRegulatory & Compliance KnowledgeUnderstanding of federal regulations affecting admissions, financial aid, and international studentsKnowledge of complex regulatory environmentsExperience ensuring operational compliance while maintaining efficiencyTechnical ProficiencyAdvanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPointExperience with CRM platforms, databases, and student information systemsComfort learning new technologies and championing digital transformationMinimum QualificationsBachelor's DegreeMinimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, policy, or related fieldProven experience with graduate student recruitment, admissions, financial aid administration, and career services or similar experiences curating high-level cohorts and overseeing critical processesAdditional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.Preferred QualificationsMaster's DegreeThe expected base pay salary range for this position is $200,000 - $250,000.This salary range does not include all components of the School of Government and Policy's compensation program. This position may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Therefore, the actual compensation paid to the selected candidate may vary slightly from the salary range stated herein. For more information, please contact the hiring department.J-18808-Ljbffr