Registrar

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design’s (RISD) Registrar’s Office seeks an experienced, strategic and visionary leader who is responsible for developing and directing a future-oriented and data-focused Registrar’s Office with the capacity to guide central academic and student information operations.  The Registrar leads the development, implementation, assessment and adaptation of registration planning initiatives, policies, procedures, and information management systems, which support and foster the academic mission of the College.  

The Registrar develops partnerships and communicates confidently with faculty leadership, senior administrators, and academic programs to ensure superior student academic experiences and educational outcomes in alignment with the academic mission of RISD. The Registrar researches, analyzes and interprets data to shape discussions involving enrollment trends, academic and curricular policies/processes, and emerging software platforms to support strategic enrollment practices. The registrar will play a strategic role on key governance committees and on strategic committees representing the college.  

The Registrar’s Office at RISD is energized by its valuable and long-standing relationships across campus and they strive to ensure the accuracy and integrity of student records, assuring compliance with academic policy, maintaining efficient student systems, and providing excellent administrative service to students, faculty, administration, staff, and alumni. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to prioritizing inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• Knowledge of the higher education landscape and state of the art technology currently being utilized to ensure efficient and timely registration activities

• Demonstrated experience in budget management

• Commitment to prioritizing inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities

• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of internal and external constituents

• Strong organizational skills with the ability and desire to investigate systems to increase efficiency 

• Well-developed management skills to mentor and develop current registrar team members 

• Database “super-user,” with a proven ability to evaluate, recommend and implement new software platforms to support strategic enrollment practices 

• Ability to review, develop, clarify, support and enforce registration policies and procedures 

• A proactive thinker and leader who will engage with the faculty and work collaboratively across the campus 

• A problem-solver and multi-tasker who communicates effectively and will take the initiative to solve problems through collaboration 

• A hands-on manager who will oversee the daily operations of the registrar’s office, but will also lead the institutional discussions on short- and long-term strategic registration plans 

• Ability to be creative and flexible in a very creative environment while upholding institutional policies in a professional and balanced way

• Ability to quickly identify individuals’ strengths, to be approachable and open to new ideas and procedures and to represent the office in a positive manner to all constituents

• A Master’s degree is required or equivalent related experience and education

• Minimum 8 years of total work-related experience in a registrar’s office with a minimum 5 years of supervisory/management experience in higher education