Associate Director of Admission

About the role

The Associate Director of Admission is responsible for conducting all recruitment activities including but not limited to local, regional, and national travel, personal interviews, application review, and other duties as assigned by the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid. They are expected to maintain high professional standards, including identifying opportunities for professional development and adhering to ethical principles of operating within a collegial environment.

Responsibilities

• Conducts interviews with prospective students and families;
• Reviews files and evaluates candidates;
• Be an ambassador and representative of the School, leading informational sessions for prospective families and targeted recruitment travel, for a designated geographic region;
• Serves as an ambassador of The Hotchkiss School mission and values and securing a high-achieving and diverse student population;
• Conducts 200-300 in-person or virtual interviews to assess candidate preparation;
• Represents Hotchkiss at middle school visits and related recruitment programs;
• Reviews and evaluates 300-400 applications per year to identify and select qualified applicants for admission;
• Aids in the coordination of projects, recruitment plans and outreach in their assigned area;
• Travels to middle schools and community educational programs to promote Hotchkiss and develop connections with targeted groups;
• Communicates with applicants and parents regarding decisions and policies;
• Conducts on-campus information sessions for visiting students and their families;
• Develops internet-based relationships with prospective students through email and other channels;
• Provides professional guidance to applicants and parents about educational planning.

Admission Communications

• Communicates with applicants and parents regarding decisions and policies;
• Conducts on-campus information sessions for visiting students and their families;
• Provides tours of the campus as needed;
• Develops internet-based relationships with prospective students through email and other channels;
• Provides professional guidance to applicants and parents about educational planning.

Career Development

• Works closely with athletic liaisons on athletic recruitment to carry out specific athletic recruitment assignments;
• Communicates frequently and effectively with admission athletic representatives;
• Assists by implementing an overall recruiting plan, aligned with the mission of the School;
• Identifies qualified student and talented athletes;
• Assists to shape a strategy to identify and recruit first-generation students;
• Builds and maintains prospect database;
• Communicates with prospects by phone, mail, e-mail;
• Travels to evaluate prospects, meet parents and school coaches, and organize campus visits;
• Maintains knowledge of the School’s programs and opportunities to effectively inform prospects;
• Contributes to the recruitment goals of the School.

Additional Responsibilities, Administrative Faculty

• Participates in community life through service in Hotchkiss’ residential, advising, and co-curricular programs;
• Coaches two seasons (or the equivalent) of a co-curricular;
• Serves as a member of a residential team;
• Engages in periodic service on faculty committees and/or as an advisor to student clubs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred;
• Demonstrated interest in working with a diverse student body;
• At least two years of professional experience as a college/university or independent school admission officer in a highly selective admissions environment or one-year of professional experience paired with a graduate degree in higher education or equivalent field;
• Preference for coaching experience at the high school level or above;
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills as well as confidence and clarity in public speaking;
• Experienced and effective reading comprehension skills to enable effective processing of a high volume of applications;
• Ability to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint and related database and word processing applications;
• Exceptional planning, time management and organization skills and the ability to manage competing priorities;
• Analytical thinking and decision-making skills;
• Strong sense of judgment and discretion at all times;
• Commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse community;
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Connecticut Public Service License (PSL) to drive students;
• Ability and willingness to engage in significant out-of-town travel as well as evening and weekend commitments.

Physical Requirements

• Office environment;
• Repetitive (keyboard) motion, prolonged periods sitting at a desk;
• A significant amount of time is spent standing and walking;
• Periodic need to carry boxes (10-20 lbs) for events;
• Able to travel as needed.