Search Manager, Watson Institute at Lynn University

Overview of Watson Institute

Watson Institute powers transformative Fellowships in partnership with leading corporations and foundations to support highly promising, historically disenfranchised rising entrepreneurs and leaders. The Fellowships provide proven entrepreneurship and leadership skills training, committed mentorship, community development stipends, long-term Alumni support, and access to a global community of peers, mentors, and opportunities.

In partnership with JPMorganChase, Walmart.org, Ford Philanthropy, Comcast, Google, Western Union Foundation, Truist Foundation, BMO, and several private foundations, Watson Institute’s programs will reach over 2,400 rising leaders this year.

Alumni of Watson Institute’s Fellowships have raised over $185 million, created over 1,900 paid jobs, and impacted 10 million people around the world through initiatives they help lead. 90% of Watson Institute alums are employed, continuing their education, or building a venture. This is on par with leading business schools, yet all of the Fellowships Watson Institute powers are free. 99% of Watson Institute Alumni use a skill they learned while in a Watson Institute powered program up to 10 years later. Watson Institute’s Alumni have been selected to Y Combinator, the Echoing Green Fellowship and ten have been named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 lists. Alums continue their education at Harvard University, New York University, and Princeton University, among others.

Search Manager – Mission Statement

The Search Manager at Watson Institute at Lynn University is driven by a mission to identify, attract, and enroll 21+ high-potential students per cohort who are passionate about Social Impact and Entrepreneurship. Through innovative and strategic recruitment efforts, the Search Manager plays a critical role in building each cohort, ensuring that students are inspired from the start and equipped to reach their full potential and create a lasting impact.

Detailed Position Breakdown:

Search & Outreach Strategy (75% of the time):

• Design and Execute Comprehensive Search Strategy: Develop and implement a multifaceted recruitment strategy aimed at attracting 25–35 purpose-driven students with a goal of enrolling 21+ students annually. This includes identifying target demographics, crafting personalized outreach plans, and leveraging data analytics to optimize recruitment efforts.​
• Develop and Manage Relationships with Key Recruitment Partners: Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with high schools, community-based organizations, nominator networks, and university partners. Engage in regular communication, provide program information, and collaborate on joint initiatives to enhance recruitment pipelines.​
• Represent the Program at Conferences, Fairs, Schools, and Virtual Events: Act as the primary ambassador for the program by attending and presenting at conferences, college fairs, high school visits, and virtual events. Utilize these platforms to raise awareness, build relationships, and generate interest among prospective students.​
• Develop and Implement Targeted Marketing Campaigns: Create and execute targeted marketing campaigns, including digital advertising, social media outreach, and email newsletters, to reach prospective students and inform them about program offerings, application processes, and deadlines.​
• Utilize Data Analytics to Optimize Recruitment Efforts: Analyze recruitment data to identify trends, assess the effectiveness of outreach strategies, and make data-driven decisions to improve recruitment outcomes.​

Lead Generation & Funnel Management (10% of the time):

• Generate and Nurture a Strong Pipeline of Qualified Leads: Implement outreach campaigns, host informational sessions, and engage in networking activities to generate a robust pipeline of qualified leads. Follow up with prospects to maintain engagement and move them through the recruitment funnel.​
• Use CRM Systems to Track, Analyze, and Optimize Lead-to-Application Conversion Metrics: Utilize Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to track interactions with prospective students, analyze conversion rates, and identify areas for improvement in the recruitment process.​
• Develop Compelling Communications and Content: Create engaging content, including emails, social media posts, and informational materials, that effectively communicate the program's value proposition and resonate with prospective applicants.​
• Implement Lead Scoring and Segmentation Strategies: Develop and implement lead scoring models to prioritize high-potential prospects and segmentation strategies to tailor outreach efforts based on the interests and needs of different student groups.​

Admissions Support & Engagement (10% of the time):

• Collaborate with the Programs Team to Ensure a Personalized Candidate Experience: Work closely with the Programs Team to ensure that prospective applicants receive timely and personalized communication regarding our programming and any questions or concerns they may have.​
• Host Virtual and In-Person Events: Organize and facilitate virtual and in-person events, such as webinars, panels, campus visits, and Q&A sessions, to provide prospective applicants with an in-depth understanding of the program and its offerings.​
• Offer 1-on-1 Support to Prospective Applicants: Provide individualized assistance to prospective applicants, guiding them through the application process, answering questions, and offering insights into the program's benefits and opportunities.​
• Facilitate Connections Between Prospective Students and Program Alumni or Current Participants: Create opportunities for prospective applicants to engage with current students and alumni through mentorship calls, panels, and informal chats. These peer-to-peer interactions offer authentic insight into the program experience, increase trust, and significantly boost a candidate’s confidence and likelihood to apply and enroll.
• Develop and Maintain Application Resources: Create and update resources, such as application guides, FAQs, and videos, to support prospective applicants in completing their applications accurately and efficiently.​
• Lead Application Review and Selection Processes: Oversee the application review process, ensuring that all applications are evaluated fairly and consistently. Collaborate with the Admissions Team to select candidates who align with the program's mission and objectives.​

Collaboration & Reporting (5% of the time):

• Provide Regular Reports and Insights on Recruitment Metrics: Prepare and present biweekly reports to the Director of Admissions and VP of People, highlighting recruitment metrics, trends, and opportunities for improvement. Use data to inform strategic decisions and adjust recruitment strategies as needed.​
• Gather and Apply Prospect Feedback to Improve the Admissions Journey: Regularly collect feedback from prospective students to understand their needs, concerns, and expectations. Use these insights to refine touchpoints, improve resources, and create a more supportive and responsive admissions experience.
• Contribute to Strategic Planning and Goal Setting: Participate in strategic planning sessions with our Leadership Team to set recruitment goals, develop action plans, and identify future strategy shifts.
• New responsibilities may develop as the Search Manager position evolves.

Culture Add

In order to thrive as the Search Manager at Watson Institute, a candidate must:

• Eager to join a team with high standards for quality and excellence.
• An exceptional eye for detail. You enjoy spending time with words, style, and formatting in order to make the most compelling product possible.
• Detail Oriented: You are meticulous and have excellent organizational skills. You are especially attuned to spotting mistakes or inconsistencies in writing and external communications. You take pride in completing your work accurately and on schedule. You have a knack for project management and a love for work plans and checklists. You cringe at missed steps and you are the first to identify a typo or formatting error.
• Intentional: Your working style is about creating order and planning ahead. You think systematically and excel at establishing elegant processes.
• Results-Driven: You bring an eagerness to grow and to roll up your sleeves and contribute. You have a go-getter attitude and a drive to solve all sorts of problems, no matter the size or shape. When something is your responsibility, you find a way to see it through to the end.
• High Integrity: You will be asked to make sensitive and critical judgment calls, and as such, you are known for your integrity and you take that reputation seriously. You always choose to make the right decision versus the easy decision. You know what information is sensitive, and you will protect it accordingly. You are comfortable escalating issues and holding your ground when you think it’s the right thing to do for the organization and mission.
• Systems-minded: Demonstrated experience in building and implementing systems. You are comfortable designing, testing, improving, and smoothly running systems and processes. This could be any system that involved inputs from or served multiple people and required consistent and accurate functioning.
• Communication Style: Based on a story from Watson Institute’s early days, ‘Come to the Window’ represents the principles of our communication including:
  • Obligation to Dissent: If you disagree with a decision or direction as an organization, you are expected to bring attention to this challenge because true leaders believe dissent is an obligation.
  • Disagree and Commit: To complement Obligation to Dissent, there are times when we need to Disagree and Commit. Once all concerns and criticisms are shared, the course of action must be committed to by all involved.
  • No Drama: We prioritize purpose and don’t involve ourselves in the drama created by backroom chatter, hearsay, and unnecessary focus on issues that do not place impact first.
  • Go to the Source: Our culture is defined by direct, honest, and frequent communication. We expect team members to ‘go to the source’ of concerns by speaking up, communicating frequently, and taking issues directly to the individuals involved.

Candidate Profile

Top candidates should demonstrate:

• 3+ years of experience in admissions and recruitment, preferably within higher education.
• A natural inclination to build relationships and partnerships in recruitment communities in order to strengthen Watson Institute’s presence.
• Understanding of and commitment to social impact and entrepreneurship.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A systems-oriented and highly organized approach to their work.
• Experience with Salesforce (or other CRM platforms) is a plus.
• Mandatory skills: Excel mastery, email wizardry, rapid follow-up, and data analysis.
• High level of initiative, creativity, and follow-through.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary according to experience: $60,000.00-$70,000.00.
• Annual Happiness Fund that increases with time and seniority.
• Unlimited vacations (3 weeks required vacation time per year).
• Healthcare benefit via Thatch (ICHRA provider) where employees have the option to apply this amount towards their choice of medical plans, with the option to add vision and dental plans.
• Automatic 3% contribution to your retirement account.

The Vitals

• The Search Manager is a full-time commitment and reports to the Director of Admissions. The Search Manager will also collaborate closely with the VP of People.
• Be located in (or near)/ or willing to relocate to Boca Raton, Florida for this role. This is an in-person position with occasional flexibility for remote work.
• The start date for this position is August 1, 2025.
• We accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
• Travel Required: This role includes regular travel to meet with prospective students and families, attend conferences, and visit high schools and related events.
• We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.