Vice Provost of Enrollment Management

The University of San Diego (USD), a contemporary Catholic university, grounded in the liberal arts seeks a strategic, collaborative and entrepreneurial leader to serve as its inaugural Vice Provost for Enrollment Management (VPEM). Serving as a key member of a highly collaborative President’s strategic leadership team, the VPEM will have the opportunity to craft a new strategic enrollment plan, shaping institutional strategy while forging a forward-thinking, data-driven, nimble, more integrated, and sustainable approach to enrollment management, across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The new VPEM will join an exceptional leadership team, led by President Jim Harris III, committed to making more strategic investments in the enrollment operation and will work closely with the Deans who are eager for a more cohesive strategy across campus in support of the university’s mission and strategic goals. 

USD is set at the edge of an international gateway on a campus that is consistently ranked among the nation’s most beautiful in sunny San Diego. With more than  9,100 students from 85 countries and 50 states, USD was named among the Wall Street Journal’s Top 50 Best Colleges in the U.S. in 2024. Students are drawn to USD for its small class sizes, compassionate culture, and unique learning opportunities that prepare graduates to lead successful and fulfilling lives after graduation. More than two thirds of undergraduates enhance their studies with an international experience, and students from all disciplines engage in research and scholarly activities. The university is on the cusp of becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and has seen growth among students of color for eight consecutive years. The USD campus is residential, with 93% of freshman and 43% of all undergraduates living on campus, and student life is vibrant, with 18 national sororities and fraternities, 17 NCAA Division 1 teams, and a wide range of organizations and student activities. 

The VPEM will serve as the institution’s chief enrollment officer and will ensure that the University has a comprehensive enrollment strategy where all related processes are optimally structured and effectively leveraged and managed. They will spearhead the assessment of current undergraduate admissions and financial aid practices and policies with the intent to enhance and evolve USD’s approach to the field, ensuring that the university competes well with peers while achieving institution-wide goals and priorities. Academic leadership at USD are eager to partner with the division, and the VPEM will work closely with the Deans to provide education on enrollment trends, identify opportunities for new program development, encourage brand and messaging consistency, and promote the standardization of best practices for recruitment activities that occur within the colleges. The VPEM will also bring a deep and sophisticated understanding of data analytics and predictive modeling and will work with the Chief Information Officer to identify and implement a new Student Information System (SIS), in an effort to modernize and more effectively leverage data in the admission and yield process.  To be successful, the VPEM will be capable of directing high-level strategy, and engaging in the many fundamental pieces of the enrollment function at a private institution while addressing the following: 

• Design and implement an overarching and sustainable enrollment strategy to meet institutional goals;
• Partner with academic leadership to integrate recruitment and marketing strategies with  broader institutional enrollment goals;
• Build a strong data and measurement function while leading the implementation of new enrollment technology;
• Develop, empower, and unify USD’s enrollment division 

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $275,000-$325,000. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. USD offers a robust and comprehensive benefits program for its employees in order to attract and retain individuals that will carry out its mission. Salary offers are determined based on the final candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process/until the position is filled. Electronic submission of materials is required.

Lindsay Gold is leading this search with Drew Nichols. 

The University of San Diego (USD) is dedicated to advancing academic excellence and creating a diverse and inclusive community. As an institution with a Catholic identity, the university is committed to creating and maintaining a work and educational environment that recognizes the dignity of each university community member. USD is an equal opportunity employer. All employment-related decisions, including but not limited to decisions relating to recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfers, benefits and any other terms and conditions of employment, will be made without regard to the employee’s or applicant’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, covered veteran status, genetic information or other characteristic protected by federal or state law, unless a particular characteristic is a bona fide requirement of the position. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship for the university. USD may take affirmative steps in a manner consistent with applicable law to advance its mission and to promote equal opportunities for its students, faculty, staff and applicants. The university does not by this equal opportunity statement disclaim any right it might otherwise lawfully have to maintain its commitment to its Catholic identity or the teachings of the Catholic Church.