Director of Enrollment Management
North Cross School seeks a dynamic, strategic, and experienced Director of Enrollment Management to lead admissions, financial aid, and marketing operations. This individual will report to the Head of School and step into a position of strength with record-breaking enrollment and a high-functioning team. The role offers a negotiable start date up to July 2027.
About the Role
This 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 enrollment strategy with marketing and communications to articulate the unique value of the North Cross experience to local, national, and international markets.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Enrollment Management & Financial Aid
- Formulate, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive enrollment management plan for both day (PreK-12) and boarding populations.
- Utilize data, market research, and demographic trends to project enrollment, track admissions metrics, and adjust strategies dynamically.
- 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.
- Maintain the school’s current enrollment momentum while ensuring newly admitted students align with the mission, academic standards, and community values.
- Marketing, Communications & Storytelling
- Direct the school’s marketing and communications strategies to elevate North Cross’s profile regionally, nationally, and globally.
- Partner with the communications team to ensure consistent, compelling messaging across the website, social media, print collateral, and digital advertising.
- Act as a primary ambassador for the school, engaging effectively with prospective families, alumni, feeder schools, and community organizations.
- Team & Institutional Leadership
- Manage, mentor, and inspire a talented, established admissions, financial aid, and marketing/communications staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and professional growth.
- Serve as an active, collaborative member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to school-wide strategic planning and institutional decision-making.
- Present regular, clear updates on enrollment data, financial aid forecasting, and market trends to the Head of School and the Board of Trustees.
Requirements
- Proven track record of success within independent school admissions, enrollment management, or financial aid.
- Experience managing teams and working collaboratively within a senior or executive leadership structure.
- Dual market familiarity with recruiting both local/regional day students and national/international boarding students.
- Strong understanding of modern digital marketing, CRM platforms (e.g., Blackbaud, Hubspot, Finalsite), and data analytics.
- Outstanding public speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills, with a natural ability to connect authentically with diverse constituencies.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in a relevant field preferred.
What Makes This Opportunity Unique
- A Legacy of Success: Inherit a healthy admissions program with robust processes already in place.
- A Culture of Momentum: North Cross is celebrating record enrollment—your task is to innovate and manage this growth sustainably.
- A Nimble Leadership Environment: Work alongside an agile, supportive, and forward-thinking executive team where bold ideas are welcomed.
- The Roanoke Advantage: Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke offers a high quality of life, vibrant community, and outdoor-centric lifestyle.
About North Cross School
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: To inspire a community of intellectually curious learners to think critically, act with integrity, and lead with courage.