Director of Enrollment Management

Details Posted: 18-Jun-26 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Type: Full Time Categories Admissions Financial Aid Preferred Education Masters Position Description North Cross School seeks a dynamic, strategic, and experienced Director of Enrollment Management to lead our admissions, financial aid, and marketing operations into an exciting next chapter. This individual will report to the Head of School. The position is open immediately with a negotiable start date up to July 2027. Inheriting a high-functioning, dedicated team and following a successful tenure by the previous Director, the incoming leader will step into a position of strength. With record-breaking enrollment, stable institutional foundations, and a nimble, forward-thinking executive leadership team, this role is a rare opportunity for a seasoned professional to manage intentional growth, innovate recruitment strategies, and elevate the school’s brand. The ideal candidate will be a compelling storyteller who can seamlessly weave together enrollment strategy with marketing and communications to articulate the unique value of the North Cross experience to local, national, and international markets. What You Will Do Strategic Enrollment Management & Financial Aid Lead Recruitment & Retention: Formulate, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive enrollment management plan for both day (PreK-12) and boarding populations. Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize data, market research, and demographic trends to project enrollment, track admissions metrics, and adjust strategies dynamically. Financial Aid Strategy: Oversee the administration of the financial aid budget, ensuring policy compliance, equity, and the strategic use of funds to meet enrollment and net-tuition revenue goals. Manage Growth & Alignment: Maintain the school’s current enrollment momentum while ensuring that newly admitted students align with the mission, academic standards, and community values of North Cross. Marketing, Communications & Storytelling Brand Leadership: Direct the school’s marketing and communications strategies to elevate North Cross’s profile regionally, nationally, and globally. Integrated Messaging: Partner with the communications team to ensure consistent, compelling messaging across the website, social media, print collateral, and digital advertising. Community Engagement: Act as a primary ambassador for the school, engaging effectively with prospective families, alumni, feeder schools, and community organizations. Team & Institutional Leadership Empower a High-Functioning Team: Manage, mentor, and inspire a talented, established admissions, financial aid, and marketing/communications staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and professional growth. Executive Collaboration: Serve as an active, collaborative member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to school-wide strategic planning and institutional decision-making. Board Reporting: Present regular, clear updates on enrollment data, financial aid forecasting, and market trends to the Head of School and the Board of Trustees. Who You Are Independent School Experience (Required): A proven track record of success within independent school admissions, enrollment management, or financial aid. Leadership: Experience managing teams and working collaboratively within a senior or executive leadership structure. Dual Market Familiarity: Experience or deep familiarity with the distinct nuances of recruiting both local/regional day students and national/international boarding students. Marketing & Tech Savvy: Strong understanding of modern digital marketing, CRM platforms (e.g., Blackbaud, Hubspot, Finalsite), and data analytics. Exceptional Communication: Outstanding public speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills, with a natural ability to connect authentically with diverse constituencies. Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree in a relevant field preferred. What Makes This Opportunity Unique A Legacy of Success: You are inheriting a healthy admissions program with robust processes already put in place by a successful predecessor and high-functioning team. A Culture of Momentum: While many schools face enrollment challenges, North Cross is celebrating record enrollment. Your task is to innovate, manage this growth sustainably, and decide what comes next. A Nimble Leadership Environment: Work alongside an agile, supportive, and forward-thinking executive team where bold ideas are welcomed, and decisions can be made efficiently. The Roanoke Advantage: Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke offers a high quality of life, a vibrant community, and an outdoor-centric lifestyle, making it an easy sell for prospective boarding and day families alike. TO APPLY Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing their interest and fit for the role, a current resume, and a list of three professional references to: Armistead Lemon, Head of School, at alemon@northcross.org and copy Lil Bonnette, Executive Assistant, at lbonnette@northcross.org. Create a Job Match for Similar Jobs About North Cross School WHO WE ARE North Cross School is an independent, nonsectarian school serving students in early childhood through 12th grade from across the Roanoke Valley, the region, and the world. OUR MISSION Our mission is to inspire a community of intellectually curious learners to think critically, act with integrity, and lead with courage. Connections working at North Cross School https://careers.nais.org/jobs/22362293/director-of-enrollment-management