California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is seeking applications and nominations for its next Chief Enrollment Officer (CEO) to serve as a visionary, collaborative, and student-centered leader and guide enrollment strategy at a moment of opportunity and purpose. This senior executive will play a defining role in shaping the university’s future; advancing its mission as a public, Hispanic?Serving Institution; and ensuring access, equity, and student success across a dynamic and evolving enrollment landscape.
Nestled in the hills of northern San Diego County, California State University San Marcos stands as a beacon of promise and possibility, offering the ideal blend of academic excellence and a distinctive Southern California lifestyle. Home to more than 17,000 students, CSUSM is known for its vibrant and diverse campus community, hands-on learning opportunities, close faculty-student engagement, and strong access to internships, research, and comprehensive support services. The university is deeply committed to transforming lives through education and creating pathways to opportunities for students from all backgrounds.
Reporting directly to the President and serving as a key member of the President’s Advisory Team (PAT), the Chief Enrollment Officer is a central voice in institutional leadership and strategic decision-making. The CEO serves as the university’s primary architect of a comprehensive Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan, guiding enrollment strategy across the full student lifecycle—from first inquiry and recruitment through persistence, graduation, and post-completion success. This role offers a rare opportunity to lead enrollment at an institution where purpose, impact, and student-centered values are tightly aligned.
The Chief Enrollment Officer leads the Division of Enrollment Management Services, a highly integrated organization reflecting CSUSM’s holistic approach to student support. The division includes undergraduate and graduate recruitment and admissions, financial aid and scholarships, university registrar, academic advising, success coaching, and one-stop student services. Through data-informed planning, strong financial stewardship, and a focus on equity and outcomes, the CEO will foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and sustained improvement, ensuring CSUSM continues to expand access, close equity gaps, and fulfill its promise to students and the communities it serves.
The successful Chief Enrollment Officer will be a values-driven, forward-thinking leader who deeply embraces CSUSM's dual commitment to access and excellence—and is willing to seek new enrollment opportunities in service of that mission. Grounded in a belief in social mobility and inclusive student success, the CEO will bring both strategic vision and operational acumen, contributing as a trusted member of the President’s Advisory Team while translating institutional strategy into effective, campus-wide execution. This leader will be innovative and technologically adept, leveraging data, CRM systems, and emerging tools such as artificial intelligence to inform decisions and improve outcomes. In an evolving and fast-moving enrollment landscape, the CEO will be proactive, collaborative, and analytically strong—someone who can operationalize data, communicate enrollment strategy clearly across the campus, and lead by asking thoughtful questions, building consensus, and bringing people together to drive meaningful change.
California State University San Marcos has partnered with WittKieffer for this search.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV/resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile. Review of applications has begun and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible.
Please submit all applications, nominations, and inquiries to the search team through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal by clicking here. New users should select “Register Here” to create an account before proceeding. After logging in, navigate to “Open Positions,” then locate the role by entering the institution’s name and clicking the search wheel.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Amy Crutchfield, Shelley Arakawa, J.D., and Bree Liddell
Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $18,750 - $22,500 per month
CSU Classification Salary Range: $10,106 - $32,441 per month
Salary is commensurate with the background and experience of the individual selected. This position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 15 paid holidays are offered each year; 14 scheduled on specific days and a Personal Holiday that may be taken any time during the year. A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by visiting our Benefits Portal. The CSU Total Compensation Calculator demonstrates the significance of the benefits package.
Following a conditional offer of employment, satisfactory completion of a background check (including criminal records check) is required prior to beginning employment. Any offer of employment rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.
This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The incumbent in this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
California State University San Marcos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, and veteran or military status.
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act Notification can be found at https://www.csusm.edu/clery/annualreports.html.
Pursuant to the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy, as of January 1, 2022, the California State University is prohibited from hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.
California State University San Marcos is not a sponsoring agent for staff or management positions (i.e., H1-B visas).
