Vice President for Enrollment Management

Now Hiring! Vice President for Enrollment Management

📍 Location: Enrollment Management

💰 Salary Range: $150,000-$175,000 annually*
📄 Position Type: Full-Time

*Please note that the compensation information is a good faith estimate of the base pay for this position. The selected candidate’s compensation package for this position will be provided during the interview process.

Position Overview:

Canisius University seeks a visionary Vice President for Enrollment Management to serve as chief enrollment officer, reporting to the President. This leader will develop comprehensive enrollment strategies that advance the University's Jesuit mission while ensuring financial sustainability and student success. The ideal candidate combines strategic insight, data fluency, and innovation with a commitment to access, equity, and student-centered practices. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to drive meaningful enrollment progress at a mission-driven institution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• Develop and execute comprehensive, data-informed enrollment strategies aligned with Canisius’s Jesuit mission, institutional priorities, and financial goals
• Oversee recruitment, admissions, and financial aid operations while partnering across campus to support retention and student success initiatives
• Provide strategic leadership to optimize financial aid packaging, net-tuition revenue generation and meet enrollment goals
• Serve as primary liaison to the Board of Trustees on enrollment matters
• Lead the University’s market analysis efforts to identify opportunities for enrollment growth and strategic positioning
• Develop and annually update the University’s Enrollment Plan Report

Financial and Budget Management

• Manage the institutional financial aid budget and enrollment operations budget with precision and fiscal responsibility
• Work collaboratively with senior leadership colleagues to develop enrollment models that balance headcount targets with revenue objectives and other institutional priorities
• Strategically deploy financial aid as both a recruitment tool and an asset in balancing equity and institutional priorities
• Monitor and adjust enrollment strategies with agility based on market conditions and institutional needs

Data Analytics

• Leverage analytics to inform recruitment, yield, and financial aid strategies
• Translate complex data insights into actionable plans and communicate findings effectively across constituencies
• Establish systems for assessment and continuous improvement of enrollment processes
• Monitor trends in higher education nationally and regionally to improve competitive positioning

Marketing and Communications

• Partner with marketing and communications to articulate Canisius’ distinctive value proposition across multiple platforms and media
• Lead efforts to modernize recruitment messaging and outreach strategies for diverse audiences
• Ensure consistent, compelling narratives that resonate with prospective students and families
• Utilize tools and platforms to reach and engage target populations effectively

Campus Collaboration and Community Engagement

• Foster collaborative partnerships with academic affairs, student affairs, athletics, faculty, staff, and governance bodies
• Engage faculty, coaches, staff, alumni, and current students as active partners in enrollment efforts
• Serve as a visible and accessible campus leader who participates in university events and connects authentically with students and families
• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment throughout the enrollment process

External Relations

• Represent Canisius University to external constituencies including high school counselors, community college partners, alumni, and community organizations
• Build and maintain partnerships that support enrollment goals and institutional visibility
• Develop transfer pathways and articulation agreements with educational partners
• Enhance Canisius’ reputation in key recruitment markets

Team Leadership and Development

• Provide inspiring, supportive leadership to admissions and financial aid staff
• Build a high-performing team culture characterized by innovation, collaboration, and student-centeredness
• Recruit, mentor, and retain talented enrollment professionals

Compliance 

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations regarding financial aid, FERPA, Title IV, and accreditation requirements

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will bring many of the following qualifications and experiences:

Required:

• Master’s degree required
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in higher education in enrollment management, admissions, or financial aid
• Proven track record of enrollment success and revenue management
• Demonstrated expertise in financial aid strategy and administration
• Strong data analytics skills and experience using enrollment data to drive strategic decision-making
• Excellent communication skills with ability to effectively engage diverse constituencies
• Evidence of successful team leadership and staff development

• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Immigration sponsorship will not be offered for this position.

Preferred:

• Experience at multiple institutions, including exposure to different institutional types
• Knowledge of the competitive landscape in the Western New York region
• Familiarity with contemporary enrollment technologies and CRM systems
• Understanding of Jesuit education and mission-driven institutional values
• Experience with enrollment marketing and brand positioning

PERSONAL QUALITIES AND COMPETENCIES

Canisius University seeks a leader who embodies the following qualities:

Strategic Vision: Ability to develop and articulate forward-looking enrollment strategies while understanding market dynamics, demographic trends, and competitive positioning

Data Proficiency: Comfort with analytics and enrollment modeling; ability to translate data into insights and communicate findings to non-technical audiences

Collaborative Spirit: Proven ability to build partnerships across campus and engage diverse stakeholders in shared enrollment goals

Innovation and Agility: Willingness to challenge traditional practices, embrace calculated risks, and respond with creative urgency to opportunities and challenges

Student-Centered: Deep commitment to student access, success, and wellbeing; ability to maintain a welcoming and supportive enrollment experience

Inclusive Leadership: Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with ability to recruit and support students from all backgrounds

Relationship Building: Authentic, approachable leadership style with strong interpersonal skills and genuine care for people

Mission Alignment: Appreciation for and commitment to Jesuit, Catholic higher education and Canisius’s institutional values

Communication Excellence: Superior written and verbal communication skills; ability to serve as an articulate spokesperson for the University

Fiscal Responsibility: Understanding of enrollment’s central role in institutional finances and ability to balance mission with financial sustainability

Empowering Management: Ability to set clear goals, delegate effectively, recognize contributions, and create a culture of professional growth

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Contemporary approach to recruitment that embraces modern tools, platforms, and methodologies

Resilience and Optimism: Positive, solutions-oriented approach with ability to navigate challenges and maintain team morale

OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

The Vice President for Enrollment Management will join Canisius University at a pivotal moment with significant opportunities to shape the institution’s future:

Strategic Positioning: Lead efforts to define and communicate Canisius’s unique value proposition in an increasingly competitive market, highlighting the University’s Jesuit mission, academic strengths, commitment to experiential learning, exceptional outcomes, and urban location

Enrollment Growth: Develop and implement strategies to achieve enrollment targets while maintaining academic quality and supporting the University’s financial sustainability

Transfer Initiatives: Strengthen transfer student recruitment and partnership development

Yield Enhancement: Improve conversion rates through refined messaging, compelling visit experiences, and strategic enrollment practices

Technology Integration: Modernize recruitment tools, communications platforms, and data systems to support enrollment success

Diversity and Inclusion: Advance efforts to create a student body that reflects diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences

Campus Partnership: Deepen collaboration between enrollment management and academic departments, creating integrated approaches to support the full student journey

Team Empowerment: Elevate the capabilities and performance of enrollment staff through professional development and supportive leadership

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit the following with their online application:

• Letter of interest addressing the position’s key themes and qualifications
• Current curriculum vitae or resume
• Contact information for three professional references (references will not be contacted without prior authorization)

Application Deadline: March 22, 2026

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The Office of Human Resources at Canisius University utilizes an online recruitment management system.

Individuals who need reasonable accommodation under the ADA in order to participate in the search process should contact the office of human resources at (716) 888-2240.

Canisius University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to recruiting, supporting and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. The University encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and is dedicated to creating an inclusive community.

Canisius University provides access and reasonable accommodation in its application process for individuals with disabilities.

ABOUT CANISIUS UNIVERSITY:

Canisius University, founded in 1870, is a Catholic, Jesuit university in Buffalo, New York. Guided by the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person, Canisius prepares students to become leaders committed to excellence, service, and social justice. The University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across its two academic divisions and enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students.

As a Jesuit institution, Canisius emphasizes intellectual inquiry, spiritual growth, and social responsibility. The University’s commitment to cura personalis—care for the whole person—shapes every aspect of the student experience.