Description
Carnegie Mellon University's School of Music invites applications for a Director of Recruitment and Enrollment, a compelling opportunity for an experienced admissions professional with a genuine passion for music and a commitment to building talented, diverse student communities.
Founded in 1912, the School of Music combines conservatory-level training with the resources and interdisciplinary reach of a leading research university. Students pursue Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Music degrees in instrumental, piano, and vocal performance and composition; a Bachelor of Fine Arts in electronic music; and Master of Music degrees in collaborative piano and music education. In collaboration with the School of Computer Science and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the School also offers Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Music and Technology, reflecting CMU's long-standing strengths in AI, machine learning, and new media.
Our faculty of 42 full-time and 55 part-time members, including 22 from the Grammy Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, bring exceptional artistry and scholarly depth to a close-knit student community. The Director of Recruitment and Enrollment will play a central role in shaping that community, identifying and enrolling outstanding musicians, composers, and music technologists from across the country and around the world.
Core Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of the School of Music, the Director of Recruitment and Enrollment serves as a primary ambassador for the School of Music, leading all aspects of a dynamic, data-informed recruitment and admissions operation. Specific responsibilities include:
- Developing and executing strategic recruitment plans at the national and international level
- Managing campus and virtual visits for prospective students and their families
- Representing the School of Music to groups of prospective students and their communities
- Overseeing operations for on-campus, regional, and virtual auditions
- Collaborating with the Director of Marketing and Communications to develop compelling recruitment materials and targeted advertising campaigns
- Working in close partnership with the Office of Undergraduate Admission on undergraduate processing and admissions decisions, and with the Office of International Education on international student documentation
- Managing graduate assistantship assignments and communications
- Maintaining accurate admissions records
- Participating actively in admission and scholarship decisions
- Supervising graduate assistants, Music Admission Ambassadors, and one professional staff member
- Managing the admissions budget and tracking expenditures across recruitment activities
What You Bring
The ideal candidate is an experienced admissions professional who combines a passion for music with data fluency and sound leadership instincts. We are looking for someone who:
- Holds a bachelor's degree (master's degree preferred) and brings 3 to 5 years of progressive admissions experience, ideally within a conservatory, college music program, or performing arts institution
- Has hands-on experience with Slate and Acceptd, or comparable admissions CRM and audition management platforms, and can translate data into actionable recruitment strategies
- Has working knowledge of financial aid systems and processes, including merit-based scholarships, and understands how aid packaging intersects with recruitment and enrollment outcomes
- Has demonstrated experience managing budgets and leading teams, and approaches supervision with a developmental, collaborative mindset
- Communicates with clarity, warmth, and professionalism across a wide range of audiences, from prospective students and their families to faculty, senior administrators, and international partners
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment that demands careful attention to detail, sound judgment under pressure, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with grace
- Brings cultural intelligence and a genuine commitment to inclusive recruitment practices that reflect the full breadth of the music field
Our Values
Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within the School of Music. Inclusion, collaboration, and cultural intelligence are valued competencies at CMU. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity, and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
Additional Requirements
- Successful background check
- Act 153 child protection clearances
- Domestic travel required; international travel possible
