Director of Admissions Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California

INTRODUCTION

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW

UC Berkeley School of Law (Berkeley Law) is one of the nation's great centers for legal education, ever exploring and pushing new intellectual boundaries while tackling urgent, real-world issues. Berkeley Law is also known for its vibrant and engaged community of students and scholars who are committed to providing leadership and making a difference on problems of local, national, and global import.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of J.D. Admissions for Outreach and Recruitment involves developing and implementing programs for student outreach, recruitment, and admissions for the Berkeley Law. Reporting to the Director of J.D. Admissions for Outreach and Recruitment, this position will be responsible to market, manage, and evaluate the pre-law outreach program for undergraduate students and others. The role provides support for outreach partnerships and diversity initiatives in the areas of outreach, admissions, advising, program implementation, and fundraising for related projects. The Associate Director of J.D. Admissions for Outreach and Recruitment will also perform other Admissions and Student Services functions and events, such as Admitted Student Weekend, outreach and recruitment activities, and application review.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The First Review Date for this job is October 28, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Admissions Outreach & Marketing - 30%

• Provides substantive information via telephone, email, and in person on law school admissions requirements, application process, planning visits, scheduling appointments, prerequisite courses, school/college programs and curricula, specific financial aid, housing, career opportunities, resources, and additional information.
• Facilitates information sessions for prospective students.
• Organizes and coordinates virtual programming for prospective applicants, including the facilitation of webinars, panels, and Law School Admission Council (LSAC) digital forums.
• Serves as admissions liaison to UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students interested in the JD program, including students in dual degree programs. In conjunction with other units on campus, plans engagement events such as Fall Open House and Golden Bear Orientation events. Sits on the Pre-Law Working Group for UC Berkeley and liaises with ASUC and various pre-law student groups to increase engagement between campus and the law school.
• Researches and inquires about opportunities to partner with pre-law organizations at California State Universities, including both in-person presentations and virtual panels with students.
• Regularly updates the Diversity webpage within the Admissions and Financial Aid Section of the website.
• Makes suggestions for and facilitates other website improvements with an eye for outreach to diverse individuals and communities.
• Partners with the Communications department to develop print and electronic materials that enhance awareness about the pre-law program nationwide, and share helpful information about the law school's diversity efforts more broadly.
• Disseminates information across a variety of marketing channels, including email, social media, webinars, blog posts, newsletters, etc. Stay abreast of new technology and tools to enhance outreach.
• As assigned, attends pre-law advisor conferences and other events in order to share information about the pre-law program with college counselors and others that may be advising prospective law school applicants.

Admissions Recruitment - 25%

• Performs recruitment activities, including writing or editing materials, and represents the school at admissions events and other forums. Plans visits to schools, schedules and makes presentations.
• Assesses effectiveness in attracting quality students to Berkeley Law.
• Under guidance of the Director of Admissions for Outreach and Recruitment, plans, organizes and/or assists with events to enhance recruitment and yield, including Admitted Students Weekend, visit days, diversity initiative events, mentoring programs, and similar activities.
• Liaises with Events Team and Development and Alumni Relations to plan yield events for admitted students and alumni.
• Updates and maintains the Admitted Student Website.
• Liaises with Student Services, Career Development Office, and Transfer Student Organization to plan recruitment events for admitted transfer students.

Pre-Law Program Management - 20%

• Plans, manages, and implements events to enhance recruitment and yield for Berkeley Law, including diversity initiative events, pre-law outreach programs, electronic communications, and similar activities.
• Leads, in collaboration with the Asst. Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, the office's new in-house pre-law outreach/student development program for prospective law students.
• Evaluates the program on a regular basis, including tracking participant outcomes; establishes systems for data collection/tracking; surveys participants in the program to identify areas of strength and weakness within the program and to make data-driven decisions for program changes or improvements. Works with departmental Database Analyst and IST to support data tracking, integration, and quality, and to establish new processes as needed.
• Develops, in collaboration with the Asst. Dean of Admissions and other staff, presentations and materials based on best practices in pre-law advising. Responsible for direct program management/logistics (e.g., arranging for speakers, room reservations, housing, food orders, facilities requests, ordering and printing materials, etc.); identification of partners (e.g., test prep programs, Centers, etc.); and organizing trust and capacity-building exercises for participants.
• Develops materials to support individuals from diverse backgrounds in the law school application process. Using in-depth knowledge and experience with the JD admission process, provides information about test prep strategies, timelines for applying, school selection, crafting successful personal statements and resumes, and other ways pre-law program participants can strengthen their applications to law school.
• Oversees the annual budget for the pre-law outreach program, and ensures that operations fall within that budget.

File Review - 10%

• Uses professional judgment when reviewing complex applications for admission.
• Assesses applicants for motivation, initiative, leadership potential, work/life experience, extracurricular activities, socioeconomic status, disability, and educational/personal hardship.
• Uses extensive knowledge of college/school/department requirements and applicant pool, to assess the applicants' overall record and experience for final admissions determination and recommendation.

Outreach and Diversity Partnership Management - 5%

• Serves as liaison between students, parents, colleges/universities, community agencies, and Berkeley Law.
• Serves as the primary contact person within the office for the California Pathways to Law Initiative. Coordinates with partner community colleges, high school law academies, and others to organize events that will introduce students in or planning to attend community college to the law school application process.
• Identifies and establishes new strategic partnership opportunities to help build a diverse pool of prospective applicants to the JD program (e.g., College Track, Posse Foundation, A Better Chance, etc.).

Reporting and Program Evaluation - 5%

• Writes an Annual Report summarizing the activities and outcomes of the pre-law program.
• Contributes to sections of the more general Admissions Annual Report, specifically, those activities related to outreach efforts and partnerships.
• Delivers written or oral reports to a variety of groups about the program, as needed.
• Uses strong technical and analytical skills to deliver dynamic reports incorporating and visualizing data effectively.

Other Duties - 5%

• Engages in professional development and training opportunities as needed.
• Performs additional duties within the scope of the classification as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Thorough knowledge and experience working with a diverse student population.
• Ability to interpret and communicate University policies and procedures to prospective students and the public.
• Strong advising and counseling skills with thorough and comprehensive knowledge of and/or ability to learn academic programs, including curricula, admissions requirements, and financial aid programs, at colleges/universities and specifically at Berkeley Law.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with schools, universities, community organizations, and other institutions.
• Ability to develop recruitment programs, and design effective materials.
• Analytical, critical thinking, problem recognition/avoidance/resolution/problem-solving skills and the ability to deal with ambiguity.
• Ability to understand and easily explain the nature of the law school experience, the academic and other requirements of the field, and the key factors a successful applicant and matriculant should possess.
• Political acumen to establish and maintain cooperative relationships throughout the organization and with schools, universities, community organizations, undergraduate and graduate student and campus organizations, and other institutions. Ability to leverage those relationships to meet key Admissions Office objectives.
• Excellent computer skills with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new systems and programs. Demonstrated experience and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Highly advanced interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written), and the ability to employ active listening skills and the ability to develop persuasive and compelling arguments.
• Ability to provide a high level of customer service and responsiveness. Strong ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of professional judgment and discretion while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
• Must be able to travel nationally for outreach and recruitment events (up to 10%); Must have a valid driver's license to drive to regional events.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and ability to apply and integrate core concepts of DEIB into everyday practice.
• Must be committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included.
• Must demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in law school or other higher education admissions setting.

EDUCATION / TRAINING

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. (Required)

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS

Must maintain valid CA DL and clean DMV record.

SALARY & BENEFITS

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $81,750.00 - $96,180.00.

This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.