The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging is a research center at McMaster University focused on aging optimization. It pursues this goal through interdisciplinary teams that work with older…
The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging is a research center at McMaster University focused on aging optimization. It pursues this goal through interdisciplinary teams that work with older…
Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field of study.
Career Level
Requires 4 years of relevant experience.
Location
Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington and McMaster Main Campus, Hamilton
Anticipated Start Date
March 1, 2026
Employment Type
Limited Term Employee (LTE)
Duration
12 Months
Job Description
UNIT DESCRIPTION:
DeGroote’s Student services team supports all students at the DeGroote School of Business – MBA, BCom, specialized graduate programs and PhD students. As an integrated team, we champion new ideas, collaborate across boundaries, and learn continually to deliver a consistent and inspiring student experience. Our school’s culture is captured by three values: Generosity, Innovation and Collaboration. Serving more than 500 MBA students located at the Ron Joyce Centre in Burlington, DeGroote offers full-time, co-op, accelerated and part-time MBA study options. The Senior Recruitment Officer is a multi-incumbent role and works within the specialized graduate Recruitment and Admissions Team to develop and implement a strategic recruitment process, to ensure DeGroote achieves its annual admission targets. The incumbent will be responsible for the recruitment and admission of high-quality candidates to the faculty’s programs. Manages the entire recruiting life cycle: brand awareness, prospective student cultivation and management, candidate assessment and admissions, prospect engagement and offer acceptance. Independently develops strategic recruitment activities that support the faculty's admission criteria and targets. Builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, working in a highly competitive global environment. Advises and persuades prospective students to join the program, requiring the ability to interact with applicants from a range of academic backgrounds. Implements significant regional, national and international recruitment activities,requiring the ability to work effectively in cross-cultural settings. Some support for other DeGroote programs may be requested of incumbents in this position throughout the year.
JOB SUMMARY:
Responsible for the recruitment and admission of high-quality candidates to undergraduate programs for the University. Manages the entire undergraduate recruiting life cycle: brand awareness, prospective student cultivation and management, candidate assessment and admissions, prospect engagement and offer acceptance. Independently develops strategic recruitment activities that support the institution’s admission criteria and targets. Builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, working in a highly competitive global environment. Advises and persuades prospective students to enrol in the university, requiring the ability to interact with applicants from a range of academic backgrounds. Implements significant regional, national and international recruitment activities, requiring the ability to work effectively in cross-cultural settings. Responsible for the coordination of the day-to-day operations of a team with a focus on implementing strategies and fostering a collaborative team.
PURPOSE & FUNCTION:
SUPERVISION:
Provides lead hand supervision and is responsible for the quality and quantity of work of others.
Ongoing responsibility for supervising 1-4 temporary/casual employees.
Provides orientation and shows procedures to others.
Assets:
The successful candidate will be a strategic planner who has experience with, and demonstrates a strong knowledge of university recruitment.
The following assets are integral to success:
Proven public speaking, persuasive presentation and facilitation skills including experience delivering presentations to diverse cultural audiences both large and small.
Additional Information:
This position requires domestic and international travel at various times through the applicant journey.
The incumbent must provide proof of a valid G license and passport.
Recruitment activities often happen outside of normal working hours and on weekends.
How To Apply
To apply for this job, please submit your application online.
Employment Equity Statement
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.
Hybrid Work Language
To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.
Interview Experience
At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.
AI Statement
McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.
Travel extensively to attend recruitment events, nationally and internationally, to promote program offerings to candidates meeting our applicant profile.
Advise prospective students on admission criteria and program options that align with their applicant profile.
Independently complete a pre-assessment of application materials; deliver results of pre-assessment in person, via Skype/phone, or via individualized written responses.
Develop, design and deliver persuasive presentations to potential students, highlighting program information that differentiates our programs in a highly competitive marketplace.
Coordinate of the day-to-day operations of a team with a focus on implementing strategies and fostering a collaborative team.
Manage large scale events as project lead, including budget, staffing resource needs, promotion and execution including coordination of multiple stakeholders across campus and external vendors.
Plan and manage information sessions and specialized recruitment events locally and throughout the province.
Recommend new recruitment activities and strategies, including identification of resources and anticipated return on investment.
Conduct and evaluate admission interviews with prospective students (in-person, phone or Skype). Independently assess resumes, transcripts and other required documentation.
Make admission recommendations to the Admissions Team, demonstrating specialized program knowledge and independent decision making in analyzing candidate profiles against a broad range of criteria.
Persuade newly admitted students to accept their offer of admission; manage conversations with applicants who have multiple admission offers.
Write individualized responses to significant volumes of on-line inquiries, at various stages of the recruitment and admissions process.
Respond to applicants who were unsuccessful in gaining program admission, using tact and diplomacy.
Counsel unsuccessful applicants on alternate programs and/or ways to strengthen future applications to the program.
Recruit and train current students to be part of a Student Ambassador Program, to connect current students with prospective students, in support of increasing recruitment.
Analyze and track candidate profiles using a Client Relationship Management (CRM) tool.
Recommend short-term recruitment tactics, if enrolment targets are at risk of not being achieved.
Develop specialized marketing materials to clusters of applicants and potential applicants.
Analyze recruitment statistics at the end of each cycle and recommendation for future recruitment strategies.
Research international student markets using a variety of data sources, analyze trends and recommend strategies to increase the program’s exposure in foreign markets.
Enhance the international brand of the university and the program by participating in Admission Panels at International recruitment fairs.
Develop an annual recruitment strategy, including proposed budget, for review. Administer and monitor recruitment budget.
Schedule faculty, staff, students and alumni to participate in various recruiting events, ensuring they have received appropriate training and can accurately communicate program information and admission standards to prospective students.
Review trends in international and domestic education, accreditation, and admission processes in order to knowledgably contextualize our programs in the marketplace.
Liaise with recruiting and admissions staff from other schools to identify best practices pertaining to recruitment and admissions.
Analyze current and past admission data to manage annual recruitment targets and recommend future recruitment targets.
Conduct surveys of newly admitted students and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment and onboarding activities.
Create statistical reports and profiles of incoming student cohorts.
Monitor and troubleshoot issues with the on-line application system and admissions database.
In conjunction with other University stakeholders (e.g. Advancement), identify opportunities to engage alumni in recruiting efforts, both domestically and internationally.
Coordinate development and execution of marketing materials, including print, web, and social media.
Previous experience with student recruitment either within a centralized model or within a faculty
Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build strong relationships and networks, requiring refined cultural competency skills
Demonstrated skills in student coaching and the ability to deliver feedback and/or difficult messages.
Experience in business marketing, sales and relationship management.
Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, effectively prioritize activities, and demonstrate a high degree of maturity and professionalism.
Exceptional technical skills, including experience working with a CRM tool, using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and advanced Excel, and the ability to analyze and summarize complex data sets to make data-driven recommendations.
Experience with helping to set and work within defined budgets
The incumbent will be a dynamic self-starter, who can work independently as well as lead projects with multiple stakeholders.
Experience using social media tools for student recruitment, and proficiency in multiple languages, would be an asset.
