Athletic Recruiting Liaison

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

The Athletic Recruiting Liaison supports the university by acting as the link between undergraduate admission and athletics. This position manages the undergraduate enrollment process in conjunction with coaches. All financial aid award letters and any other financial information for athletes that is governed by NCAA rules will be managed by the Liaisons.

Core Competencies:

  1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
  2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
  3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
  4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Works in concert with the athletic coaching staff on the co-recruitment of undergraduate (freshman and transfer) athletes.
  2. Provides accurate and current information about Aurora University’s degree programs and admission procedures.
  3. Presents enrollment updates and information at regularly weekly scheduled meetings with members of the Athletics Department.
  4. Evaluates transcripts and other academic information on athletes in order to advise coaches, students, and families and make both admission and scholarship decisions.
  5. Manages and coordinates high school, community college, and transfer campus visits. Customizes presentation based on the audience and location of the visits.
  6. Attends college fairs and in house telecounseling nights.
  7. Assists coaches with the coordination of athletic related recruiting events including, but not limited to open houses, game day events, overnight campus visits, and junior prospect events.
  8. Coordinates with the Associate Dean for Athletic Recruitment to ensure the coach’s attendance for open houses, AU4U events, and other events as needed.
  9. Participates in evening and weekend enrollment events.
  10. Provides financial aid information to prospective student athletes and families, including explanation of the financial aid process; works with the family to determine a comprehensive financial plan for attendance at the university.
  11. Assists the Associate Dean for Athletic Recruitment to project and reach enrollment goals per sport and coach.
  12. Recommends promotional materials needed to promote each sport, with University Communications and Sports Information Director.
  13. Facilitates communication between coaches and athletes in conjunction with Director of Enrollment Operations and Director of Enrollment Systems using Slate and Front Rush.
  14. Help manage each coach’s individual recruiting roster to ensure accuracy; if inaccurate, takes the appropriate action to correct.
  15. Develop and manage a communication process to the athletes and their families from the athlete’s first contact through final assignment decision.
  16. Work directly with coaches, faculty, and recruited athletes to coordinate, schedule, communicate, and execute campus visits.
  17. Other duties as assigned by the Associate Dean for Athletic Recruiting.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience:

  • Experience in higher education is important; experience in admissions or sales preferred.

Skills:

  • Sensitivity to the needs of and ability to relate well to transfer and adult students is necessary.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills.
  • Customer-service orientation and professional manner.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft software essential. Knowledge of Colleague/Slate preferred.
  • Ability to handle and act upon confidential information.
  • Ability to interact with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and parents; and to develop strong working relationships with colleagues, staff, administrators, students and the general public.
  • Ability to prioritize work and to meet deadlines required. Flexibility with an evolving work situation.
  • Ability to work nontraditional work hours such as after hours and weekends.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to move about campus and other locations.
  • Ability to interact via telephone, in person, and via electronic media.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

If you were referred by a current employee of Aurora University please include the name of the employee in your submission.

Aurora University
Human Resources
347 South Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
jobs@aurora.edu - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.