Job Details

Director of Graduate Recruitment (HR Title: Director Student Recruitment)

Position Number: 6717588
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Admissions/Enrollment

Director of Graduate Recruitment (HR Title: Director Student Recruitment)

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Director of Graduate Recruitment leads the charge in attracting outstanding graduate and professional students by developing innovative recruitment strategies aligned with Lyle's transformative vision. This role promotes the school's unique educational opportunities through targeted outreach, high-visibility events, and creative partnerships with marketing, admissions, and key organizations in priority markets. By analyzing enrollment trends and implementing data-driven strategies, the director ensures a robust, diverse graduate pipeline and provides dynamic leadership to a best-in-class recruitment team.

Essential Functions:

Responsible for the management and performance of Lyle Graduate Recruiting Office activities and staff.
Create strategic plan, working with the Dean's office to pro-actively increase graduate enrollment, identify new areas of recruitment focus and attention, including in-depth analysis and reporting on new targeted recruiting areas.
Management and execution of recruitment strategy and plans for all graduate programs (including traditional, weekend format, and online).
Create, maintain and deliver data reporting to the Dean's office related to graduate student recruitment efforts. Track applications and enrollment numbers to provide up to date information related to student enrollment trends. Use this data to continually improve new student recruiting and yield.
Work closely with the various Lyle academic departments on student admissions related activities.
Identify, cultivate and support global vendors that support Lyle graduate recruitment.
Manage departmental budget.
Occasional evening/weekend hours required for recruiting events.
Occasional travel, including international travel, may be required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree is required. A Master's degree is preferred.

A minimum of seven (7) years of experience with three (3) years of academic recruiting experience is required. Experience with engineering or related fields is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Candidate knowledge of academic programs at the university level is essential.

Candidate familiarity with a CRM is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time
Squat
Kneel

Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by November 24, 2025.

Position is open until filled.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Administrative Managers & Professionals

Organization: School of Engineering

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Director

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Job Posting: Nov 11, 2025, 5:25:10 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=SCH00000214&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC