Director of Distance Education Enrollment Management
Opportunity Guide
https://www.unity.edu/
Unity College is a leader in sustainability science, educating responsible, optimistic individuals committed to solving the world’s most pressing environmental problems.
For over fifty years, Unity College has been preparing the next generation of environmental professionals and leaders to successfully face real-world challenges. Unity College, America’s Environmental College located in Unity, Maine, serves a broad range of students from all backgrounds across the U.S. — and the world. To be responsive to the rapidly changing needs of students and society, Unity College offers both flagship campus and distance education programs for undergraduate and graduate-level environmental degrees.
Unity College’s distance education unit, started in 2016, extends the effects of a Unity College education to adult learners, and beyond the physical confines of the flagship campus. Unity College Online offers affordable, accredited master’s degrees and non-degree credits, ideal for working professionals seeking to advance their careers, helping students become the change makers the world needs while still honoring their commitments, wherever they are.
On Unity’s flagship campus, the liberal arts curriculum is built upon a unique framework of sustainability science — the first of its kind in the nation. A distinctive approach to learning provides students with an exceptional, high-quality education, enabling them to drive real change with leading-edge knowledge and expertise within any of 17 environmentally focused majors. Unity College’s unique location provides extraordinary opportunities for hands-on learning and research, allowing active and engaged students to work together with forward-thinking faculty to make true community-based learning possible. From 225 wooded acres of farmland in rural Maine, the College prepares each of its students to make a mark on the world. Affordable housing and amenities are available in Unity and in nearby communities, including the more populated centers of Bangor (34 miles away), the state Capitol of Augusta (39 miles away), Belfast (24 miles away) and Waterville (18 miles away).
Unity College seeks to attract employees who share a commitment to the environment and to human diversity, and who have an interest in helping students develop an understanding of the richness and complexity of individuals and society.
The Opportunity: Director of Distance Education Enrollment Management
The Director of Distance Education Enrollment Management (DDEEM) will partner with both Unity College’s President and the Chief Distance Education Officer (CDEO) to design and share creative ideas and best practices in enrollment management for recruiting and ensuring the success of adult learners in Unity College’s distance education degree programs. This new position will provide vision and structure for the Distance Education admissions, enrollment, and student success teams to implement. Energetic and creative candidates with an interest in building a program from the ground up are especially encouraged to apply.
Poised for dramatic expansion, Distance Education is a priority initiative of the Unity College President and senior leadership. This administrative role is tasked with growing Distance Education revenues from the current $1.5M to a $5M/year business in the next few years. The DDEEM oversees planning, coordination, and evaluation of all recruitment, retention, and operational components of Distance Education at Unity College. Within this entrepreneurial environment, the DDEEM will have significant flexibility to design and grow the program of their own design and implementation. This position works with the CDEO to continue to transform Unity College from a college with a strong regional presence to a leading national institution of higher education. Within the framework of functional leadership, this position will work closely with the Distance Education Team to identify and research new revenue streams, market academic programs, lead all distance education recruitment and retention efforts, oversee day-to-day operations, and develop and enhance external partnerships to grow and sustain key distance education initiatives. This position reports to the Chief Distance Education Officer.
The successful candidate will be a seasoned professional with a track record of success implementing creative and calculated enrollment management strategies for online education. Demonstrated experience in online education enrollment management and an understanding of the adult education landscape are critical for success.
Performance Objectives
Leadership and Strategy
- Fulfills a critical role as an implementer of the College’s strategic plan, focused on “Creating and Supporting a World-Class Student Body” as one of the plan’s six key goals and the seven objectives supporting this goal.
- Leads recruitment and retention efforts focusing on encouraging student success for Unity College’s distance education students.
- Sets strategic goals related to recruitment and retention of distance education students and leads a team in implementation to achieve them.
- Works with the CDEO and the Chief Marketing Officer to prepare and execute a comprehensive Distance Education Enrollment Management Plan that aligns with Unity College’s strategic plan and includes a timeline with benchmarks, success metrics and associated budgets.
- Builds and leads marketing, recruitment and retention efforts of all distance education programs to enhance the regional, national and international reputation of the College.
Management and Implementation
- Provides distance education department supervision and managerial oversight in partnership with the CDEO. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the College’s policies and procedures, laws and regulations.
- Advocates for institutional resources to create and maintain high quality distance education student success programs, and prepares and manages the budget for areas of oversight.
- Develops and implements enrollment management policies, procedures and standards for quality assurance in distance education.
- Tracks and analyzes data to assist in developing and assessing distance education programs.
- Ensures that standardized practices of processing prospective student inquiries through enrollment are implemented. Monitors and reports conversion progress/metrics and initiates and implements corrective action as needed.
- Assumes responsibility to maintain and upgrade professional knowledge and skills with regulations, industry trends, current practices, new developments and applicable laws.
Outreach and Constituent Relations
- Works to maintain a culture of customer service and advocates for student success.
- Represents Unity College in formal and informal presentations and through networking. Builds strong working relationships with external partners to enhance revenue through development of distance education programs’ opportunities for growth.
- Provides liaison between the college and the administration of partner institutions (e.g. community colleges, military education centers, high schools, corporations) as assigned.
- Serves as a role model for Unity College’s standards of conduct.
- Demonstrates a high degree of commitment to quality education, particularly distance education.
The Qualified Candidate
Unity College seeks an innovative, passionate and effective leader with seven or more years of relevant enrollment management leadership experience with a focus on Distance Education and online adult learners. They will be a skilled administrator and collaborator with a deep appreciation of the importance of environmental sustainability and the interpersonal skills required to work successfully with a diverse range of stakeholders including students, faculty and staff. A strong record of demonstrated success in setting and achieving goals related to online enrollment management is required.
Specific Requirements Include:
- Demonstrated passion for Unity College’s mission. Understanding of and passion for Distance Education.
- 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience that demonstrates success in enrollment management; must have experience growing enrollment amongst distance, online and/or adult learners.
- Successful experience preparing and executing distance education or online enrollment management plans.
- Experience in managing two or more direct reports with additional indirect reports.
- Record of leadership and service that demonstrates integrity and accountability.
- Collaborative yet decisive administrative style that encourages informed risk and creative thinking.
- Ability to respond effectively and ability to objectively coach others and make recommendations to resolve complex, difficult and/or emotional issues.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Higher Education Administration or a related discipline required; Master’s Degree preferred.
- Ability to work from an office on Unity College’s campus. This is not a remote position.
This position offers a competitive salary with generous benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
Unity College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
To Apply
Candidates may apply by clicking the APPLY NOW button below.
Candidates must complete the online application and submit their cover letter and resume.
To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email.
This search is being managed by Alison Lewin, Project Manager of KEES. Questions may be addressed to alewin@kees2success.com.
KEES is a retained search and nonprofit consulting firm that builds transformative teams and leaders. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.
In and Around Unity
Come explore the area in and around Unity, including the Unity College Center for the Performing Arts, the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, and our Field of Dreams - a beautiful outdoor recreation area just a short walk from campus. If you like local and organic farming, don’t miss the Unity Farmers’ Market or the nationally recognized Common Ground Country Fair, which is held each fall and organized by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.
In and Around Maine
There are also lots of amazing places to explore in and around Maine. Within a two-hour drive from campus you’ll find the breathtaking Acadia National Park - home to Mt. Desert Island and Schoodic Point. You’ll also find Baxter State Park, where you can spend the day climbing Mt. Katahdin, and Reid State Park, with its long, sandy beaches, picnic areas and scenic views. And if you like to ski, be sure to check out Sugarloaf and Sunday River ski resorts, also within a two-hour drive.
Here are some other attractions not far from campus:
Within A One-Hour Drive:
Within A Two-Hour Drive:
- Moosehead Lake: boating, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling
- Popham Beach: swimming, fishing, sea kayaking, birdwatching
- Port Clyde: ferry to Monhegan Island
- Portland: the Arts District and Old Port Historic District
- Rangeley Lakes: skiing and recreation
- Sebago Lake State Park: boating, swimming, camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
