Vice President for Enrollment Strategy

Office of Enrollment Services, Rose Hill

Fordham University

Fordham University has an excellent reputation as a dynamic institution located in New York City.  Founded in 1841, Fordham enrolls more than 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students in its 9 Colleges and Schools. 

• Fordham University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to its employees, which includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• We offer tuition remission for employees and their dependents 
• A generous employer match towards a 403(b) retirement plan.
• As a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), Fordham is considered a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, a federal program designed to forgive student loan debt for employees of certain public and certain nonprofit employers.
• As part of its work-life balance program, the University provides generous PTO including 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 4 personal days, 6 summer Fridays, and holidays that include paid time off between Christmas and New year.  
• University employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP provides no-cost, professional, and confidential services, to help employees and family members address a variety of personal, family, life, and work-related issues.

Position Summary

The Vice President for Enrollment Strategy (VPES) serves as the chief enrollment officer of the University, providing strategic leadership, vision, and innovation in student recruitment, enrollment management, and retention. Reporting directly to the president and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the incumbent will drive the development and execution of the University’s enrollment management strategy. A proactive leader with substantive experience in higher education and strategic enrollment planning, the VPES is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, data-driven enrollment strategy aligned with the University’s mission, values, and long-term goals. The VPES will guide enrollment forecasting, scholarships, and tuition discounting in creating a sustainable fiscal model in a challenging economic environment. The successful candidate will be a transformational leader who embraces new technologies, leverages predictive analytics, and champions contemporary marketing strategies to optimize recruitment, retention, and student success.

The VPES will oversee the division of enrollment management encompassing international enrollment initiatives, student financial services, enrollment support, enrollment systems, admission, and enrollment data and analytics. Providing motivational leadership to an enrollment leadership team of seven seasoned professionals and an overall team of more than 100 dedicated staff, the VPES will ensure the division meets revenue, headcount, and profile goals among undergraduate, international, and transfer populations.

The VPES will join a sophisticated, collaborative senior leadership team guiding intentional efforts to establish and meet institutional goals. In partnership with the provost, the VPES will provide leadership in the retention of students as well as the market-informed development and launch of academic programs. Working closely with the chief financial officer, the VPES will develop, execute, and assess the allocation of financial resources in the enrollment and retention of students. In addition to being a highly visible partner for academic and administrative colleagues, the VPES will be a compelling advocate for the Fordham community nationally and internationally.

NES, a search firm specializing in enrollment management within higher education, is assisting Fordham University in this search. The comprehensive leadership profile can be viewed here: https://nessearches.com/fordham-vpes/. For best consideration, please submit all application materials to fordham@nessearches.com by June 6, 2025.

Nominations and inquiries may be directed to:

• Laura Robinson at laura.robinson@nessearches.com
• Catherine Capolupo at catherine.capolupo@nessearches.com

Essential Functions        

As a position of significant impact on the University, the Vice President for Enrollment Strategy will perform the following essential functions:

University Leadership

• Advise the president and the Board of Trustees in all matters related to recruitment, enrollment, financial aid, and strategic positioning of the University amid the rapidly evolving landscape for comprehensive universities.
• Guide, support, and implement institutional strategic initiatives, and lead the development of strategic enrollment plans to support institutional goals.
• Educate and prepare the Fordham community for changes in financial aid regulations, legal and normative changes in admission practice and policy, demographic changes and market trends, and the evolving needs and expectations of student populations.
• Lead efforts to expand Fordham’s national and international reach, ensuring a strong pipeline of prospective students from diverse backgrounds while enhancing the University’s reputation and recognition.
• Represent Fordham with wisdom and insight through presentations and conversations, attending conferences, engaging with partner schools, programs, and organizations, and responding to media requests.
• Monitor and respond to changing demographics, market trends, and national policy shifts impacting enrollment strategies.
• Regularly assess the University’s market position, explore ways to enhance the University’s reputation, and ensure vendor partnerships and resources are strategic, appropriate, and productive.

Technology Systems and Data Analytics

• Collaborate with Information Technology (IT) to ensure the effective implementation, integration, and optimization of enrollment technologies (e.g., CRM, SIS, generative AI), enhance data reporting capabilities, and support innovation through emerging digital tools and platforms.
• Utilize advanced data analytics to measure, analyze, and assess divisional efforts to enhance student recruitment, optimize financial aid strategies, and improve yield.
• In collaboration with key campus partners, assess student success metrics, utilizing retention and graduation data to inform admission selection objectives, and intentionally plan for and facilitate preparation for shifting student demographics.

Collaboration

• Cultivate relationships with external partners, including high schools, community colleges, corporate entities, and alumni networks, to expand recruitment channels.
• Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications to develop and implement innovative digital marketing, social media, and communication strategies to elevate the University’s brand awareness among targeted audiences to meet recruitment goals.
• Collaborate with the athletics division to identify potential student populations and strategies to increase recruitment efforts and ensure a strong partnership between the departments.
• Provide counsel and advice to deans on matters related to graduate and professional student enrollment and collaborate with academic and student affairs leadership to enhance recruitment efforts and support student engagement.
• Provide regular reports to trustees, faculty, staff, new employees, and divisional partners, encouraging understanding and engagement in enrollment management functions and the appropriate and transparent dissemination of data and information.
• Collaborate with any and all areas of the University that support the enrollment process.

Strategic Enrollment

• Develop and execute a strategic enrollment management plan that ensures a sustainable, talented, and diverse student body across all academic programs, authentically engages the campus community, and inspires interest in a Fordham education.
• Implement changes to admission and financial aid policies and practices to meet state and federal compliance regulations, in a manner that is consistent with Fordham’s values and mission.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Enrollment Management division, overseeing its key functional areas to support enrollment goals and student success. Areas of oversight include:
• Undergraduate Admissions: Lead recruitment and selection strategies to attract and enroll a diverse and qualified student body.
• Student Financial Services: Oversee financial aid policies to expand access to assistance, student accounts (bursar) operations for tuition billing and payment processing, and student employment programs that provide work opportunities to students through work-study programs.
• Enrollment Systems and Operations: Maintain data integrity and optimize enrollment systems and processes for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Enrollment Research: Leverage data and analytics to drive strategic enrollment planning, admissions, and financial aid decisions.
• Identify, explore, and cultivate new student application sources aligned with Fordham’s values and strategic goals.

Financial Acumen

• Partner with the Office of Finance to align enrollment strategies with revenue goals, optimize financial aid modeling, and support long-term financial planning through accurate enrollment forecasting and tuition revenue projections.
• Identify and track key performance indicators ensuring effective use of resources, including the division’s budget and personnel.
• Oversee financial aid and scholarship allocation to maximize accessibility while meeting institutional revenue and net tuition revenue goals.
• Assist with financial aid fundraising and stewardship, and make clear the case to sustain and increase Fordham’s generous financial aid promise.

Supervision and Mentorship

• Oversee a team of more than 100 people across facets of admission and student financial services with a focus on employee development and retention.
• Foster a collaborative environment and empower direct reports to lead within and across their teams in a manner that supports division-wide goals and institutional objectives.
• Enhance professional development through formal and informal opportunities to support employee growth and foster best-in-class admission, recruitment, and financial aid programs.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing enrollment management team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.

Essential Functions Note

This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities  

Provides strategic leadership and supervises others who supervise. Responsible for hiring, training, developing, managing performance, administering corrective action, makes compensation decisions and for managing strategic views at a high level.

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience        

• Master’s Degree in higher education administration, business, marketing, or a related field
• A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated leadership success as an innovator in enrollment management.

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills     

Vision and Leadership

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing comprehensive strategic enrollment plans aligned with institutional goals, producing measurable results. Results driven with expertise in national and international recruitment, with a focus on diverse student populations including first-generation, international, transfer, and adult learners.
• Proficiency in financial aid strategy, including optimization, forecasting, scholarship allocation, and leveraging aid to support enrollment and access.
• Extensive knowledge of the higher education ecosystem and demonstrated ability to analyze, articulate, and address market trends, demographic shifts, regulatory changes, and evolving student expectations.
• Exceptional leadership and team development skills, with a commitment to staff mentorship and professional growth.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly identify key issues and develop and communicate strategic imperatives grounded in data-driven research to a diverse group of cross-functional leaders of all levels.
• Ability to develop and communicate a positive, compelling, distinctive vision and related goals to motivate a team to execute actionable, cutting-edge, and creative actions toward that vision and related goals.

Collaboration, Communication, and Analytical Skills

• A track record of success in building and growing strong relationships across pipelines and populations, in conducting national and international recruitment and marketing campaigns, and in raising the visibility and reputation of an organization.
• Ability to be bold, creative, and visionary while also being collegial, collaborative, and inclusive; a strong desire to contribute to a successful leadership team.
• Proven ability to work with diverse constituencies, both on and off campus; propensity to serve as an ambassador for the University and to engage effectively with prospective students and families, current students and families, high school counselors, faculty, staff, alumni, community-based organizations, national admission and financial organizations, and other external audiences on behalf of the institution.
• An understanding of NCAA regulations for Division I athletics and demonstrated experience building partnerships and processes with coaches and athletic administrators to actively and competitively facilitate the strategic recruitment of student athletes.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence across complex organizational structures.
• Advanced knowledge of digital and data-driven enrollment and enrollment marketing practices, including effective use of CRM, SIS, social media and digital marketing tools, and emerging technologies such as generative AI.

Personal Qualities

• Progressive change agent who cares about making pivotal and conscious change, is willing to take calculated risks, and leads with sensitivity and integrity.
• Even-keeled, thoughtful temperament, with impeccable integrity, appropriate transparency, and excellent judgment.
• Exceptional work ethic and excellent organizational and delegation skills to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and handle highly confidential information.
• Self-motivated, critical thinker with advanced problem-solving abilities and creativity.
• Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education

Preferred Qualifications 

• A doctorate in higher education, business or a related field

Minimum Starting Salary: $400,000

Maximum Starting Salary: $450,000

Note: Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

START DATE: ASAP

ABOUT FORDHAM

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its 9 colleges and schools.  It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom. 

Fordham University is committed to excellence through diversity and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.

Fordham is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories