Director of Enrollment

What We Do

At the Franciscan School of Theology (FST), education and spirituality intersect to offer a hopeful, Christ-centered approach to life and work. Rooted in a Franciscan tradition of theological formation that began in 1854, FST carries forward the spirit of St. Francis through rigorous academic study and ministerial preparation. As the only school of its kind in the United States, we bring contemporary culture into dialogue with the "ever-ancient, ever-new" Gospel.

FST is an independent graduate school training people for lay and ordained ministry in Church and society. Accredited by both the Association of Theological Schools and the WASC Senior College and University Commission, FST specializes in the communication of the Franciscan Intellectual and Spiritual Tradition. Affiliated with the University of San Diego, FST maintains a robust relationship with the University, providing students with enriched curricular exchanges, extensive library access, and comprehensive student services.

FST is in a season of extraordinary growth. Following a historic $5 million transformational gift, the school is expanding its reach beyond its three master’s degrees with a new doctoral program and a graduate certificate in Franciscan Theology. The impact is both local and global: the institution recently celebrated its largest graduating class in San Diego history and serves a thriving digital community of over 2,500 subscribers worldwide. To date, FST has empowered more than 1,200 graduates representing 20 countries, maintaining an exceptional 91% retention rate that speaks to the strength of this academic community.

Situated on the stunning University of San Diego campus, FST offers a deeply personal experience with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Whether through Master’s and Doctoral degrees or innovative online certificates, FST prepares students for a life of solidarity with those on the margins and leadership within the global Church.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

With a $3.917M budget and a highly collaborative team of 20 faculty and staff, FST is led by President Father Garrett Galvin, OFM, an alumnus who has served in various capacities since 2008. As his tenure concludes, FST prepares to welcome Br. Keith Warner, OFM, as the new President in July 2026. Brother Keith is an ethicist who has been teaching moral theology at FST. The Director of Enrollment reports to Sister Juliet Mousseau, RSCJ, Vice President for Academic Affairs. A historical theologian, Sister Juliet balances a collaborative style with professional autonomy.

FST fosters a culture of deep collaboration, rooted in the Franciscan way of seeing the world:
• Christ at the Heart of All Reality
• Human Beings Reflect the Divine Image
• Finding Joy in All Things
• Forming Other-Centered People
• Relying on the Generosity of God

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
• Salary – $108,000 - $110,000
• Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 6.5% match
• PTO: 28 days of flexible PTO per year (covering both vacation and sick leave), plus 13 paid holidays and an annual Christmas break. PTO accrues at a rate of 8.16 hours per pay period.

LOCATION

This is primarily an in-person role with an office in the FST building on the University of San Diego’s campus – 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110. To deeply engage with our local Catholic community, this role includes an expectation for on-site recruitment sessions roughly two Sundays per month as well as outreach to other local institutions.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Enrollment is a senior administrator responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and coordination of enrollment and marketing plans for the Franciscan School of Theology (FST). Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, this leader oversees the offices of recruitment, admissions, and digital and print marketing, ensuring institutional outcomes for student recruitment, retention, and graduation. This is a highly collaborative role that works cross-departmentally to ensure cohesive enrollment processes and institutional alignment. The Director manages an annual budget of $548,000 and provides direct supervision and leadership to two direct reports: the Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator and the Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment.

The Director determines approaches to specific enrollment challenges, using seasoned judgment and knowledge of administrative functions to develop effective methods and strategies. This role balances high-level strategic planning with active participation in FST’s daily operations, working alongside a team to support the mission of the school. Beyond internal management, the Director acts as a key representative for FST, engaging with local parishes, the University of San Diego, and national professional bodies to stay aligned with graduate theological education trends.

Year One Priorities:
• Cultural Integration: Immerse in the history and mission of FST to build team trust and serve as a strategic voice on market trends.
• Strategy & Systems: Develop a comprehensive marketing plan and establish a robust data dashboard to track the full enrollment lifecycle.
• Partnership Development: Deepen the connection with the University of San Diego and strengthen FST’s presence within the local Diocese.
• Enrollment Growth: Drive measurable results in lead generation, application conversion, and student retention.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Strategic Enrollment Management: Lead a comprehensive process to achieve institutional outcomes for student recruitment, retention, and graduation. Formulate effective marketing and enrollment strategies in partnership with senior administrators.
• Team Leadership & Supervision: Manage the recruitment and marketing team, providing direct oversight of graduate admissions, the financial aid application process, and alumni placement data.
• Marketing & Community Awareness: Direct the implementation of digital and print marketing plans. Work directly with local parishes and external organizations to increase community awareness and FST’s institutional presence.
• Budget Management: Prepare the enrollment strategic plan and manage the departmental budget. Analyze, propose, and implement expenditures for recruitment and marketing initiatives.
• Data Analysis & Metrics: Coordinate consistent data collection and dissemination across admission areas. Provide timely metrics reporting on the status and health of the enrollment funnel to FST leadership and constituents.
• Collaboration: Work closely with other offices/departments to ensure consistent, cohesive, and effective enrollment processes that reflect broader institutional alignment.
• Institutional Representation: Serve on school committees and maintain a proactive presence within the professional community at the University of San Diego.
• Student Engagement: Maintain a "player-coach" approach by working one-on-one with prospective students in collaboration with the Associate Director of Admissions.
• Industry Relations: Act as a liaison to national professional bodies to remain current on graduate theological education trends and national enrollment shifts.
• General Administration: Perform other related duties as requested by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President.

BACKGROUND PROFILE
• A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in enrollment management, admissions, and financial aid within a selective higher education or religious nonprofit setting.
• Proven leadership in team building and talent development, with the ability to manage and inspire a collaborative team.
• Strategic thinking and planning experience in digital marketing, social media strategy, and the effective use of departmental budgeting.
• Superb interpersonal and public speaking skills, with the ability to connect with and inspire confidence among prospective students, faculty, and stakeholders.
• A data-driven decision-maker with a track record of building systems and using metrics to manage the full enrollment lifecycle.
• Ability to navigate a diverse tech stack, including Salesforce (CRM), Google Analytics (GA4), and communication tools like Loom, Zoom, and the Microsoft/Google ecosystems.
• Highly proactive and organized, exhibiting the "player-coach" grit to balance high-level strategy with daily operational execution and student engagement.