Assistant Director of Music Admissions

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues. A writing assessment will be required of finalists for the position. 

Position Summary
Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music (SSM) cultivates the mastery of musical performance and study, combining a conservatory experience with the educational opportunities of a leading research university. The student body is limited to 275 uniquely gifted and talented young musicians and employs 73 full and part-time faculty and 45 staff members.

The Assistant Director for Music Admissions is a member of a three-person admissions team at the Shepherd School. Working closely with the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management on strategic planning, the Assistant Director for Music Admissions oversees the creation, review, and execution of all Shepherd School admission processes for prospective students and applicants. They are responsible for cultivating relationships with feeder institutions, coordinating the annual onsite music auditions, tracking applications, and working collaboratively with campus partners to align Shepherd School practices with national enrollment standards for a fair and equitable admissions process. Overseeing the work of the Music Admissions Administrator, they work with Shepherd School faculty and administration on initiatives that support the institution's enrollment goals and contribute to the success of our students and program. In addition to attracting, yielding, and retaining gifted musicians at one of the country's premiere music schools, this position offers wonderful networking opportunities with peer institutions and has growth potential within the organization. This position reports to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management. 

This position is primarily an in-person work environment. This position will need to travel locally and nationally for recruitment, be comfortable balancing remote work with fully in-person work during certain times of the year, and have a flexible schedule during the audition season and decision releases, including some required evening and weekend hours. Per Rice policy 440 work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position and the salary depending on experience is $65,500 to $69,900 a year. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime. 

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree 
• Three years of related experience 
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
• Valid Texas Driver’s License (or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment) required with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past 5 years.
• Skills 
  • Deep understanding of college admissions, skill in developing and implementing innovative solutions and processes to respond to the ever-changing field of admission
  • Excellent written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills that foster a collaborative culture with a diverse group of constituencies and situations
  • Must exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and integrity.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, developing new skills as required
  • Strong computer competency is required, including proficiency in Google Workspace and CRM software

Preferences

• Experience working in college admissions
• Management experience
• A Master’s degree in a performing arts discipline
• Experience working with Slate and Filemaker

Essential Functions

OPERATIONS / PLANNING

• Participate in ongoing strategic planning for admissions with the Dean's Office and Shepherd School faculty
• Liaise with the Rice University Admission and Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies teams to develop and implement programs and strategies for recruitment of top students
• Manage communications with prospective students, applicants, and their families on an ongoing basis
• Lead meetings with prospective students and parents, on and off-campus
• Represent the Shepherd School at college fairs, school visits, and organization presentations throughout the country, in-person and remotely.
• Oversee coordination, tracking, and management of music applications and admission process throughout the admissions cycle, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws regarding college admission
• Collaborate with Shepherd School faculty on admission procedure, audition requirements, and policy updates
• Oversee scholarship appeals of admitted students

AUDITIONS

• Oversee and manage SSM auditions for undergraduates, graduates, and DMA candidates in specific assigned departments/areas of focus
• Provide support to faculty, staff, and prospective students as related to the music admissions process

MANAGEMENT 

• Supervises the Music Admissions Administrator
• Select and supervise student workers for auditions and/or recruitment events 

DATA

• Analyze admissions and enrollment data annually and track trends to inform recruitment strategies and assess progress toward strategic goals 
• Maintain relevant records and documentation as required by the position
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Perform first-level review of student applications
• Represent the admissions team in committee meetings
• Oversee budgets for admissions recruitment and marketing, tracking annual expenses to inform future initiatives
• Coordinate with Asst. Dean and Dir. of Marketing and Communications to create recruiting materials, including brochures (print and digital), ads, email templates, and social media presence
• Collaborate with the Communications Dept. and provide content for updates to the Shepherd School admissions webpages, as well as admission/recruitment materials

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

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Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.