Graduate Admission Counselor


Benedictine University is an inclusive academic community, inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and Benedictine values. We seek employees who will contribute to the advancement of our mission by helping students shape lives of meaning and purpose as engaged citizens who care for the Earth, welcome people of diverse faiths and cultures, and promote the common good.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Job Title: Graduate Admission Counselor

Department: Admissions

Reports to: Director of Graduate Admissions

Status: Full-Time, Benefit Eligible

Location: Lisle Campus

Position Summary: Working in partnership with the Chief Enrollment & Retention Officer and Director of Graduate Admissions, the graduate admission counselor is responsible for serving as a representative of the University to recruit prospective graduate students; primary function of the position is to promote the institution and its graduate programs, coordinate recruitment efforts with faculty program directors; work collaboratively with program directors to assist students throughout the process, troubleshoot, and meet enrollment targets. This position reports directly to the Director of Graduate Admission.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

1. Prospective Relationship Management: Provides high level service to prospective students regarding degree and other programs, application processes, graduate financial aid and other determining factors for enrollment. Manage the conversion of students through the graduate admissions funnel within assigned program areas (health & science). Serves as the main contact for all prospects and applicants. Communicate effectively with each prospect to develop a professional relationship enabling each prospect to fully understand degree program(s), its career advancement potential, application and admission requirements, and assist each applicant through the admission process. They will respond to all new inquiries quickly and maintain consistent contact with all students at all stages of the admission process.

2. Recruitment and Outreach Events: Create, execute and participate in dynamic on campus recruitment events such as university open house, information sessions, graduate lecture series; represent Benedictine University at off campus events such as association conferences, graduate fairs, school visits, and other functions as requested by the Director of Graduate Admissions.
3. Application Management: The Graduate Admission Counselor will assist students through all aspects of the admissions process including the collection, evaluation, distribution of documents and information related to their admissions file. Specifically, they will maintain telephone and electronic contact with applicants as they progress through the admission process. Additionally they will review applications for admission and scholarship consideration.

4. Campus Relationship Management: Works in close collaboration with the university’s College Deans, program directors, and department chairs to meet assigned enrollment goals for the university. Act as the liaison between the Office of Graduate Admissions and academic unit(s). Monitor admission funnel and partner with broader admission team to achieve admission targets.

5. Data Analysis: Work with the Director of Graduate Admissions to provide data-based evaluation of the efficacy of recruitment strategies. Assess effectiveness of targeting strategies and communication channels for prospective students and applicants.

Other Functions:

Special projects may be assigned related to increasing enrollment of specific student populations or markets, campus engagement activities/collaborations, or other responsibilities as assigned.
Respond promptly to prospective inquiries across all university implanted communication platforms.
Collaborate with Graduate Admission team to complete competitive analysis on a yearly basis

Required Qualifications:



Education: Bachelor's Degree Required, Master's Degree Preferred in higher education, business, or another related field highly preferred.

Experience: Minimum 3-5 years direct student recruitment experience within a college or university highly preferred.

Specific Skills: High level of energy and drive as well as an entrepreneurial spirit are required- a mindset for marketing and promotion is very valuable; proficient in written and oral communication and comfortable delivering presentations to a variety of audiences; ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a diverse work environment and independently with minimal supervision; welcomes a fast paced environment where priorities are constantly changing-ability to show initiative; organize workflow; manage one or more projects and handle frequent interruptions and still be attentive to detail, accurate and precise.

Specific Knowledge, Licenses, Certifications: Yes. Valid Driver’s License, Computer skills required- word processing, spreadsheets, email, experience with CRM systems (Salesforce and PeopleSoft experience a plus); Must be personable, outgoing, and professional in demeanor. Candidate must be goal oriented and comfortable with measurable outcomes and metric driven position.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. Use of computer screen, phone and customer service. May require bending, or sitting for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The following of campus specific guidelines for pandemic protocols are required.

Travel (If applicable): Yes. Ability to travel to graduate fairs and other off campus outreach/recruitment event- including possible out of region/state travel, overnight or extended stay trips; occasional evenings and weekends will be required especially during high recruitment periods.

Supervisory Responsibility (if applicable): Yes. If assigned, may lead, guide, and evaluate student workers assigned to assist in marketing and recruiting graduate students.

Working Conditions: Office environment, occasional remote work, and some travel.

Training: Must complete all trainings required by Benedictine University.

Benedictine University does not discriminate in its admissions or educational policies, programs or activities; scholarship and loan programs; athletic and other University administered programs or employment practices on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The laws applicable to Benedictine University include constitutional and statutory protections of the University's rights as a religiously sponsored institution. This policy of equal employment opportunity applies to all employment and personnel practices including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training and compensation.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Per Gov. Pritzker’s Executive Order proof of vaccination or weekly COVID-19 testing is required.

Benedictine University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.