Job Details

1. Purpose & Summary

• This position supports Luther Seminary's mission of "educating leaders for Christian communities" by leading the recruitment and welcome efforts of the Admissions Office.


• You will work closely with the Director of Enrollment Services to implement recruitment strategy, reaching out and engaging with target audiences to nurture and cultivate relationships with new and existing influencers.


• You will supervise student workers and equip them and the larger seminary community with the tools needed to recruit and accompany highly gifted and committed discerning students and to provide individual guidance and knowledgeable support through the discernment and application process.


• You will ensure discerning students are welcomed with openness and hospitality into a space of prayerful listening and conversation regarding vocation and discernment, both virtually and in-person through campus visits, events, and individual admissions conversations.


• In the Admissions Office, you will support important work, such as application submission promotion, review process, and new student engagement efforts.

1. Essential Job Duties

Recruitment, Outreach and Welcome Leadership - 50%

• Serves as a member of the Admissions Team and leads recruitment and welcome efforts to help achieve enrollment goals for the seminary – plays a critical role in building the foundation for prospective student journey from initial point of contact until admission.


• Supervises and supports student staff, including the Student Recruitment Assistants, Welcome Coordinator, and Admissions Ambassadors. Works with the Director of Enrollment Services and Admissions Team to resource, train, and support ongoing professional development of student workers identified above.


• Collaborates with Director of Enrollment Services to develop, budget for, implement, and evaluate recruitment strategy designed to actively identify, seek, recruit, and matriculate highly gifted and promising new students – this includes outreach and engagement with influencers and communities in relationship with individuals who demonstrate potential for Christian public leadership.


• Builds and coordinates schedule of off-campus recruitment and outreach visits for connecting with discerning students and influencers which may include but is not limited to faith communities, colleges and universities, outdoor ministries, seminary fairs, ministry and church conferences/conventions, service corps, non-profits, etc. Deploys student workers, ambassadors, staff, faculty, and contract volunteers to assist with coverage and will staff as needed.

• Project manages admissions events including but not limited to virtual and in-person campus visits, discernment events, open houses, high school previews, camp fairs, and other recruitment-related events - fosters a discerning student experience that supports their vocational discernment and generates excitement about Luther Seminary while providing honest and accurate information about expectations.


• Travel and occasional evening and weekend work when needed. Up to 20% during critical recruitment times (primarily September - November and January - May).

Admissions - 30%

• Pro-actively resources discerning students through phone, written, digital, virtual, and face-to-face contact, professionally representing Luther Seminary's programs and offerings in a manner consistent with Luther's mission, vision, values, and welcome statement.


• Accompanies discerning students with integrity and grace, advising them to regard program fit and specifications, admissions requirements and application process, financial aid and scholarship information, residential and community life, and spiritual formation – partners with the Director of Enrollment Services and other designated staff to conduct official Admissions Conversations needed for completion of applications for admission.


• Helps identify the kinds of leaders whom the church needs for Christian witness and service - reviews and assesses applications for admission and makes admissions decision recommendations to the Admissions Committee for consideration.


• Maintains admissions records and keeps accurate logs of all student communications in the database, ensuring data confidentiality.

New Student Engagement - 10%

• Plays a supporting role in New Student Engagement efforts, a collaboration between Admissions and Student Affairs staff (primarily June-August).

Other Duties and Tasks – 10%

• Supports a campus culture where diversity is valued and inclusion is encouraged and where students learn to respect differences, take responsibility for their actions, and exercise leadership.


• Actively builds and maintains internal relationships and is regularly engaged with seminary and student life activities (i.e., seminary chapel, events, etc.) – is tuned in and aware of community life news and offerings.


• Represents Luther Seminary in the most positive manner toward prospective, former, and current students, ministry partners and the community we serve - occasionally asked to play a public role, preach, or speak as a representative of Luther Seminary.


• Executes necessary administrative tasks, including travel reports, tracking spending, data coding and other tasks as necessary.


• Starts, plans, and executes special projects with the goals and objectives of the office.


• Keep abreast of trends in recruitment and admissions best practices and theological education – actively takes part in professional development opportunities in conversation with the Director of Enrollment Services.


• Attends all meetings, including check-ins with supervisor (monthly), Enrollment Team meetings (weekly), and Academic and Program team meetings (as needed).


• Perform any other functions as necessary or as assigned.

Relationships

Internal Relationships:

Admissions Team, Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Faculty, Seminary Relations, Contextual Learning, Human Resources, and degree program leaders (CYF, LIM, JR, etc.).

Committees: Admissions Committee

External Relationships: Campus Ministry Leaders, College Professors, Bible Camp Directors, Synod Staff, Non-profit Leaders, Admissions Colleagues from other ELCA seminaries, ELCA desks and associations, other key influencers (Pastors, Youth Directors, Retired Clergy, and Luther Seminary Alums), Ecumenical Judicatories and Leaders, ATS Student Services Professional, etc.

Position Qualifications

1. Commitment to Luther Seminary's Mission, Vision, Values and Welcome Statement. We are a Christian Graduate School preparing Christian ministers and leaders for the Church and the World.

Required Education and Experience.

• Master's Degree.


• 3-5 years of experience in admissions/recruitment in higher education and/or experience in ministry/nonprofit organization.

Desired Education and Experience.

• Master's degree in a Theological field from a Seminary or Divinity School.


• 5-7 years of experience in admissions/recruitment in higher education and/or experience in ministry/nonprofit organization.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Communication

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Comfortable with public speaking and/or preaching.


• Ability to articulate personal faith and sense of vocation and to engage prospective students who have a variety of theological perspectives and vocational interests.


• Demonstrated intercultural competency.


• Handles confidential information with the utmost tact and discretion.

Project and Event Management

• Project management experience.


• Event planning and coordination experience.


• Volunteer or personnel management and supervision experience.


• Highly organized; manage multiple projects; handle frequent interruptions; proactive.

Technology

• Knowledge of Microsoft and Google environments, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.


• Familiarity with social media and basic marketing project platforms.


• Knowledge of relationship management databases preferred (Luther Seminary uses Slate).

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Relationship-building and networking experience.


• Creative; flexible and adaptable to changing contexts.


• You have the ability to accept and implement feedback. ability to show initiative and follow clear direction.


• Ability to work in a team environment and work independently with little or no supervision.


• Ability to travel frequently and work a varied schedule with flexible hours.

Software Used: Slate by Technolutions, Google Suite

Knowledge of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America other ecumenical church bodies is helpful. Familiarity with vocational discernment.

NOTE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

V. Position Qualifications:

A. Commitment to Luther Seminary's Mission, Vision, Values and Welcome Statement. We are a Christian Graduate School preparing Christian ministers and leaders for the Church and the World.

B. Required Education and Experience.

• Master's Degree.


• 3-5 years of experience in admissions/recruitment in higher education and/or experience in ministry/nonprofit organization.

C. Desired Education and Experience.

• Master's degree in a Theological field from a Seminary or Divinity School.


• 5-7 years of experience in admissions/recruitment in higher education and/or experience in ministry/nonprofit organization.

D. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Communication:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Comfortable with public speaking and/or preaching.


• Ability to articulate personal faith and sense of vocation and to engage prospective students who have a variety of theological perspectives and vocational interests.


• Demonstrated intercultural competency.


• Handles confidential information with the utmost tact and discretion.

Project and Event Management

• Project management experience.


• Event planning and coordination experience.


• Volunteer or personnel management and supervision experience.


• Highly organized; manage multiple projects; handle frequent interruptions; proactive.

Technology

• Knowledge of Microsoft and Google environments, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.


• Familiarity with social media and basic marketing project platforms.


• Knowledge of relationship management databases preferred (Luther Seminary uses Slate).

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Relationship-building and networking experience.


• Creative; flexible and adaptable to changing contexts.


• You have the ability to accept and implement feedback. ability to show initiative and follow clear direction.


• Ability to work in a team environment and work independently with little or no supervision.


• Ability to travel frequently and work a varied schedule with flexible hours.

Software Used: Slate by Technolutions, Google Suite

Knowledge of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America other ecumenical church bodies is helpful. Familiarity with vocational discernment.

NOTE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.