Director of Admissions

Key Responsibilities

• Develops long-term strategies and implementation plans in accordance with enrollment priorities and mission of The Phelps School.
• Works with the Head of School, senior leadership, faculty and other school constituencies to develop and articulate admissions priorities and philosophy.
• Provides regular reports and planning documents to the Head of School, senior leadership and faculty on the results of admissions activity.
• Initiates research studies/projects, which aid in understanding the effects and outcomes of admissions and tuition assistance policies and practices; assesses results and seeks feedback from families in the application process on a regular basis.
• Creates marketing plans and develops admissions publications and programs that are consistent with the overall strategy of The Phelps School.
• Works in close coordination with the Head of School and Business Office toDevelop and oversee the school’s strategy, ensuring that marketing efforts are tied to the school’s financial plan
• Determines financial strategy and allocations
• Prepares and manages the departmental budget, monitoring all expenditures to assure compliance with the policies of school
• Aids in development efforts by promoting a fuller understanding of admissions and tuition assistance policies and issues within the alumni community; meets with donors interested in supporting scholarship programs.
• Represents Phelps at various external fairs, conferences, organizations and associations.
• Organizes and manages all activities to attract a diverse class of high-quality applicants to the School.
• Oversees the recruitment process for the Phelps Admissions Office at the direction of the Head of School.
• These activities include domestic and global recruitment, travel, and organizing alumni interviews and dinners, and soliciting participation of school constituencies in recruitment.
• Conducts presentations (e.g., feeder schools, consultants, and school fairs) to promote The Phelps School and attract prospective students and their families, both domestic and international.
• Aids in creating an annual retention plan; oversees/assists with re-enrollment process and setting tuition.
• Recruits, develops, and implements strategies to retain high-quality applicants from population groups that are underrepresented.
• Provides on-going consultation to prospective boys, applicants, and their families.
• Aids in the evaluation and decision process for establishing admissions standards and for evaluating and making final admit/deny decisions.
• Reviews and reads applications; interviews prospective students; responds to applicant inquiries; and counsels’ prospective boys and their families regarding the admissions process, test taking strategies, curriculum, etc.
• Represents the school before alumni and other groups and serves as the primary contact for admissions.
• Oversees the planning of all admissions events held on and off campus at the direction of the Head of School.
• Works closely with the Head of School to develop a yearly plan for tuition assistance awards.
• Serves as a member of the Tuition Assistance Committee, which determines tuition assistance award packages for admitted students; performs needs analysis, packaging, counseling, phone calls, office visits, and all contacts with current and prospective tuition assistance students.
• Reviews files and application materials to determine family's ability to pay and eligibility for institutional funds.
• On a case-by-case basis, uses professional judgment to make adjustments in calculating the expected parental contribution.
• Communicates effectively with a diverse population of current and prospective students and families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• PREFERRED: 5 - 7 years of experience in admissions and/or communications and marketing, preferably in the non-profit sector and including prior leadership experience
• An understanding of independent school culture
• Experience with marketing strategy and experience in brand management
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills as well as a proven ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Extensive experience with social media tools and techniques
• The ability to both lead and execute
• Outstanding judgment and maturity
• A very high level of energy, creativity and flexibility