Director of Admissions Student Success Operational Leadership

Director of Admissions, Student Success & OperationsMcAfee InstituteLocation: Chesterfield, Missouri (Preferred) | Remote Considered for Exceptional CandidatesEmployment Type: Full-Time | Salaried Leadership PositionCompensation: $80,000–$100,000 Base SalaryOn-Target Earnings (OTE): $100,000–$130,000+
Build Something That MattersMost admissions jobs are about answering phones and processing applications.This isn't one of them.
McAfee Institute is one of the nation's leading providers of professional certifications and training for intelligence, investigations, law enforcement, military, cybersecurity, corporate security, financial crimes, and public safety professionals.
Every day, we help people build careers that protect organizations, solve crimes, combat human trafficking, and strengthen national security.
We're looking for someone who wants to help lead that mission.
Not simply participate in it.
This is a leadership opportunity for someone who wants to build systems, improve operations, serve students at the highest level, and directly contribute to the growth of an organization making a meaningful impact.
About McAfee InstituteSince 2011, McAfee Institute has trained more than 100,000 professionals across government, military, law enforcement, intelligence, corporate security, financial services, healthcare, and the private sector.
Our programs are recognized by organizations including:U.S. Department of Defense Credentialing Assistance (Army, Navy, Air Force & Space Force)Department of Homeland Security NICCSMissouri Department of Public Safety (POST)Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce DevelopmentVeterans AdministrationNASBA Registry of CPE Sponsors
Our students include professionals from:Law EnforcementMilitaryIntelligenceGovernmentCorporate SecurityFinancial Crimes & ComplianceCybersecurityHuman Trafficking InvestigationsCorporate Investigations
Every interaction with a student or prospective student reflects our brand.
That responsibility begins with this role.
About the RoleThis is a senior leadership position responsible for the complete student lifecycle—from first inquiry through enrollment, onboarding, graduation, and long-term engagement.
You will oversee admissions, student success, operational improvements, customer experience, military funding coordination, and strategic initiatives that directly influence the growth of McAfee Institute.
This is not an administrative position.
This is not simply an admissions role.
This is an opportunity to own one of the most important functions within our organization.
You will work directly with the CEO, Chief Academic Officer, marketing, instructors, and operations teams to continually improve the student experience while helping drive measurable business growth.
We Think Like Owners
We're not looking for someone who simply completes assigned tasks.
We're looking for a leader who approaches this role with an ownership mindset.
Someone who understands that every prospective student deserves an exceptional experience.
That every unanswered inquiry represents a missed opportunity.
That every operational improvement strengthens the organization.
The person who succeeds here doesn't wait to be told what to do.
They naturally ask:How can we improve this process?How do we better serve our students?Where are we losing opportunities?What can I solve today?How can I make the organization stronger?
They understand that admissions is not simply about enrolling students.
It's about protecting the company's reputation, creating exceptional customer experiences, improving operational excellence, and helping drive sustainable revenue growth.
This Role Is NOT For Everyone
This position requires someone who naturally operates with urgency, initiative, accountability, and professionalism.You won't be micromanaged.You won't receive a daily checklist.You won't be reminded to respond to students.
You are expected to:Identify problems before leadership does.Solve problems independently.Communicate proactively.Follow through consistently.Improve systems continuously.Take ownership of outcomes.
If something is broken...Fix it.
If a student needs help...Help them.
If a process can be improved...Improve it.
If an opportunity exists...Own it.Leadership Expectations
This is a salaried leadership position.Leadership isn't measured by time spent at a desk.It's measured by ownership, accountability, responsiveness, and results.Business hours matter.Students matter.Responsiveness matters.Some days you'll leave exactly on time.Other days you'll stay later because a student needs assistance, a project needs completed, or an important issue requires attention.Occasionally, urgent student needs may require responsiveness outside traditional business hours.Leadership requires flexibility.
We're looking for someone who naturally says:"I'll take care of it."instead of"Someone else will handle it."
What Success Looks LikeWithin your first several months, you should become someone who:Owns admissions from inquiry through enrollment.Ensures chats, emails, phone calls, and student inquiries never sit unattended.Maintains an organized and accurate CRM without reminders.Protects every prospective student's experience.Builds trust with students through exceptional communication.Improves operational workflows and efficiencies.Resolves issues before they become problems.Keeps leadership informed proactively.Drives measurable improvements in admissions performance.Allows leadership to focus on strategic growth because admissions is operating exceptionally well.
This Role Directly Impacts Company Growth
Admissions is one of the most important functions within McAfee Institute.The leader in this position will directly influence:Revenue growthStudent enrollmentStudent retentionCustomer satisfactionOperational excellenceBrand reputationLong-term organizational growth
Outstanding student experiences create outstanding business results.
We expect this role to help deliver both.
Core Responsibilities
Admissions & EnrollmentConduct admissions consultationsRespond to inbound leads via phone, email, chat, and textGuide prospective students through certification optionsBuild relationships throughout the enrollment processFollow up consistently with prospective studentsCoordinate enrollment documentationAssist students with payment optionsSend invoices and payment linksMaintain CRM accuracy and pipeline integrityAchieve admissions and enrollment objectives
Student SuccessSupport students throughout their educational journeyCoordinate onboarding and orientationResolve student concerns professionallyImprove retention and engagementDeliver exceptional customer experiencesBuild lasting relationships with graduates
Military & Government ProgramsCoordinate Military COOL fundingAssist with tuition assistance processesManage military enrollment documentationTrack military funding requestsServe as a resource for military and government learners
Operational LeadershipImprove operational systems and workflowsDevelop scalable processesIdentify bottlenecks and implement solutionsCoordinate projects across departmentsCollaborate closely with executive leadershipRecommend improvements that strengthen organizational performanceSupport strategic growth initiatives
QualificationsWe care more about how you think than simply where you've worked.
RequiredExceptional communication skillsStrong business judgmentHigh personal accountabilityOutstanding organizational abilityExcellent follow-throughIndependent problem-solving skillsEmotional maturityAttention to detailAbility to prioritize competing responsibilitiesProfessionalism under pressure
Preferred ExperienceExperience in one or more of the following:AdmissionsEnrollment ManagementCustomer SuccessHigher EducationContinuing EducationProfessional CertificationsMilitary Education BenefitsCRM Platforms (HubSpot preferred)SalesAccount ManagementOperations Leadership
Compensation & Performance
We believe exceptional leaders should be rewarded for exceptional performance.
Base Salary: $80,000–$100,000, based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated leadership ability.
On-Target Earnings (OTE): $100,000–$130,000+In addition to base salary, this role participates in a performance incentive program tied to measurable business outcomes.
Performance incentives may include:Admissions and enrollment growthRevenue performanceConversion rate improvementsStudent retention and completionStudent satisfactionOperational efficiency improvementsStrategic initiativesOrganizational impact
This compensation structure rewards leaders who create measurable value—not simply complete assigned tasks.
Growth OpportunityThis role is designed for someone who wants to build a long-term leadership career.Future advancement opportunities may include:Director of OperationsVice President of Student SuccessVice President of OperationsChief Operating OfficerAs McAfee Institute grows, this individual will play a significant role in shaping the future of the organization.Our Hiring ProcessWe are committed to hiring exceptional leaders.
Qualified candidates should expect:Initial interviewExecutive interviewOperational case studyProfessional reference checks
We're interested in how you think, communicate, solve problems, prioritize, and lead.
Before You ApplyThis role isn't about checking boxes.It isn't about simply answering emails.It isn't about waiting to be told what to do.It's about ownership.It's about protecting the student experience.It's about driving operational excellence.It's about helping grow a mission-driven organization that changes lives every day.If you're the type of leader who takes pride in building systems, solving problems, driving results, and treating the business as if it were your own, we'd love to hear from you.