Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

In a region booming with opportunities, CMU is the only U.S.-based research university offering its master’s degrees with a full-time faculty, staff, and operations in Africa. The Africa location is fast-growing, with over 300 enrolled students from more than 20 African countries. You can read more about CMU-Africa's vision and mission on our website. CMU’s presence in Rwanda provides a platform to engage in Africa’s most significant opportunities and challenges across the continent through world-class education and contextually relevant research and innovation. CMU-Africa enjoys strong collaboration and exchange with the main campus in Pittsburgh, USA.

Carnegie Mellon University is seeking a Director of Enrollment and Student Success to provide leadership and strategy for programs and services that facilitate positive student transition and success for its location in Rwanda, Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa). This position will set the strategy for overall Student Success (including, but not limited to, student recruitment, admissions, academic advising, student affairs and career services), and build and lead a cohesive and integrated team that is focused on high quality programming and services to support student transition, retention, and positive graduation outcomes. As CMU-Africa’s Director of Enrollment and Student Success, you will be a key leader and advocate for comprehensive and integrated services that support students, which reduce barriers to student progression and success, and that promote student engagement, transition, retention and positive post graduate outcomes. While specific responsibilities will vary, they will include but will not be limited to, the following.

Responsibilities:

Student Recruitment – Develops and directs recruitment and outreach activities to create a diverse pipeline that meets or exceeds admissions targets. Develops recruitment programs. that increase CMU-Africa’s reach across the African continent and oversees programs to attract students from diverse backgrounds.

Admissions – Develops and directs CMU-Africa’s Admissions processes, overseeing team responsible for processing and evaluating graduate applications. Monitors and advises on best practices in higher education admissions processes (including reviewing undergraduate transcripts, test scores, and statements of purpose) to speed up admissions decisions.  Ensures the use of technology within the Admissions function is optimized, integrated, and scalable to the greatest extent possible. Periodically reviews and reengineers the process.

Student Affairs and Academic Advising – Directs the Student Affairs and Academic Advising functions, partnering with the Director of Academics to consolidate Student Success resources, while monitoring best practices in academic advising, student organizations management, student welfare, student financial aid and awards, student orientation and student engagement. Ensures that all services and programs comply with CMU’s academic, and other, policies and procedures. Plays leadership role in assessing the needs of CMU-Africa students to ensure the continual enhancement of programming and service quality within the Student Affairs function.

Career Services - Provides leadership and direction for a comprehensive career planning facility, ensuring CMU-Africa’ career services offering is fit for purpose and assists all student, alumni, faculty, and industry partners in the development of career education, career identification and search, and proactive pursuit of internship and employment opportunities.  Constantly monitors, analyzes, and evaluates current scope of services offered through career services and directs new programs as appropriate. 

Alumni Affairs - Mobilize alumni to support student recruitment, mentoring, internships,

and career development. Build structured alumni-student engagement opportunities (e.g., mentoring programs, speaker events), facilitate alumni participation in CMU-Africa’s professional development offerings, and cultivate alumni ambassadors to elevate CMU-Africa’s visibility and networks.

• Works closely with the Registrar, relevant Student Welfare, Enrollments, CaPS, and other functions at the main campus to develop an integrated approach to student success initiatives at CMU-Africa.
• Provides leadership in the development, establishment and administration of functional unit processes and procedures, which comply with university-wide policies and procedures.
• Represents CMU-Africa on university-wide committees and task forces related to Student Success.
• Builds employee capability through monitoring and assessing employee performance, utilizing coaching and mentoring strategies as appropriate.  Partners with CMU-Africa’s HR Officer to determine custom professional development and training offerings to Enrollment
  and Student Success team.
• Other duties as required.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. 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. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in a relevant field, plus a minimum of 5 years of recent related
  experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience overseeing at least two of the following
  areas: Admissions and Enrollment, Academic Advising, Student Affairs, Student Financial
  Aid and Awards, Disability services or student orientation, Career Services (within a US university preferred but not essential)
• Fluency in both spoken and written English and French a bonus
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Skills and Competencies:

• Proven ability to build, manage and provide leadership to cohesive teams.
• • Sound understanding of strategic enrollment management concepts, and academic policies and processes that contribute to a quality graduate experience
• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of learning and innovation.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to persuade and influence individuals and groups with diverse needs and interests.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and inclusively to coordinate projects and initiatives among various campus constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to providing outstanding student experience and customer service.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Kigali, Rwanda

Job Function

Admissions and Financial Aid

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

More Information: