Head of Enrollment

About the Role

EF Academy Pasadena is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven leader to serve as Director of Enrollment & Community Engagement. This is a senior-level role that combines strategic enrollment leadership with a bold community relations and business development mandate. EF Academy Pasadena is an IB school and is poised to become the only private IB school in the greater Pasadena area; a compelling and differentiating story for prospective families and the wider educational community. The campus community reflects EF Academy's global footprint: approximately 65% of students are international, drawn from 60+ countries, with 35% enrolling from the local and wider Southern California region.

This is not a traditional U.S. boarding school enrollment environment. International student recruitment is managed by a dedicated global network of EF enrollment teams based in-country around the world; this role is focused on local and regional enrollment and community presence, while collaborating as one integrated team with global colleagues to support international families when they visit campus.

The Director will serve as a primary external face of the school, cultivating partnerships with schools, counselors, local educational consultants, community organizations, and educational influencers across Southern California and beyond. They will work alongside the Head of School and senior leadership team to grow local enrollment, strengthen the school's regional profile, and embed EF Academy as a preferred destination for ambitious students and families. This role is as much about community presence, trust-building, and brand representation as it is about managing the enrollment pipeline. The successful candidate will bring the executive presence, educational credibility, and entrepreneurial spirit to open doors, build lasting relationships, and generate measurable results.

Responsibilities

• Lead local and regional enrollment strategy for the Pasadena campus, with a focus on attracting Southern California day and boarding students to a truly international school environment.
• Develop and execute a data-informed enrollment strategy aligned with campus goals and EF Academy's global network priorities.
• Maintain and analyze enrollment metrics, pipeline data, and market trends to inform decision-making and resource allocation.
• Collaborate closely with EF Academy's U.S. Enrollment Director (based in New York) on nationwide recruitment strategy, pipeline management, and lead generation; support and provide dotted-line guidance to the Enrollment Coordinator who manages day-to-day pipeline and call activity.
• Partner as one team with EF's international enrollment staff based in-country worldwide; serve as the campus point of contact for international families visiting Pasadena during their decision process.
• Serve as an external ambassador for EF Academy Pasadena, representing the school to schools, educational consultants, community organizations, civic groups, and local networks.
• Identify, cultivate, and formalize strategic partnerships that expand the school's visibility, referral networks, and enrollment pipeline.
• Build and sustain relationships with independent school counselors, college advisors, international student organizations, and regional educational influencers.
• Develop and grow relationships with local educational consultants acting as agents — a key channel for reaching boarding families across the wider Los Angeles area seeking 5- or 7-day boarding options.
• Represent EF Academy at conferences, community events, school fairs, and professional gatherings.
• Communicate the school's mission, culture, and academic programs compellingly to diverse audiences in person, in writing, and in public forums.
• Partner with the marketing and communications team to align outreach materials with enrollment messaging.
• Facilitate campus visits, information sessions, open house events, Welcome Days, family orientations, and community presentations.
• Actively participate in the life of the school, including major events such as Opening Day, Graduation, athletics and arts programs, and family celebrations.
• Serve as a visible, positive presence in the boarding school community, modeling engagement and contributing to campus-wide initiatives.
• Support emergency response and campus-wide operational needs as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Partner closely with the Head of School and EVP of Enrollment to align local strategy with global network goals.
• Collaborate across departments — academics, student life, marketing, finance — to support enrollment, retention, and the overall student and family experience.
• Contribute to broader leadership team discussions, planning, and school-wide decision making.

Leadership Competencies

The successful candidate will bring a unique combination of educational credibility, relationship building expertise, strategic thinking, and enrollment acumen. They will demonstrate the maturity, judgment, and executive presence necessary to represent the school alongside the Head of School and senior leadership team. This individual will be equally comfortable meeting with school leaders, educational consultants, and prospective families; presenting to community organizations; participating in student events and celebrations; and serving as a visible, positive presence within the daily life of the boarding school community.

• A trusted relationship builder
• A strategic ambassador and storyteller
• A results-oriented professional with a growth mindset
• A collaborative leader who contributes beyond their primary responsibilities
• A highly visible community member who embraces the mission and culture of a boarding school environment
• A mature professional who demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in all interactions

Community Commitment

As a senior member of the leadership team, this individual is expected to actively participate in the life of the school beyond traditional outreach responsibilities. This includes attending major campus events, supporting athletics and arts programs, participating in family and community celebrations, serving as a visible presence during important school milestones such as Opening Day and Graduation, and contributing to campus-wide initiatives and emergency response efforts as needed. The successful candidate genuinely enjoys working with adolescents, families, educators, and colleagues and understands that thriving boarding school communities are built through meaningful relationships, visibility, and engagement.

About EF Academy

EF Academy is a leading private boarding and day high school, attracting students from around the world to our campuses in Pasadena, New York, and Oxford (England). At EF Academy, we prepare students to thrive academically, personally, and socially helping them build the confidence, skills, and sense of purpose they need to lead fulfilling, successful lives. With a focus on academic excellence, personal growth, and cultural immersion, we empower students to unlock their full potential and develop the lifelong skills they need to thrive in any future they envision.

About EF Education First

Some companies are in the business of banking. Others are in the business of shoes. Or sports. Or soft drinks. At EF, we're in a different kind of business. One that's a little less tangible, and a lot more important. Because our business, what we make, makes everything else possible. We're in the business of understanding. Between people. Between cultures. For over half a century we've been the leader in international educational programs and experiences designed to foster such understanding. Through language, cultural exchange, academic studies, and educational travel, we create the kinds of immersive experiences that challenge biases, open minds, and pave the way for a more understanding world.

You'll find our offices and schools located in some of the world's greatest cities, and filled with smart, driven people (over 50,000 of us) who push each other to be better every day. But it's what we do together - building greater understanding, breaking down barriers, and creating a better world - that makes all the difference. Founded in 1965 in Sweden, EF (Education First) is a global association of education companies that share a common mission of opening the world through education. EF has been recognized on Forbes 2025 and 2024 World's Best Employers and 2024 Top Companies for Women lists, Fast Company's 2025 Next Big Things In Tech, and was a 2024 App Store Award winner in Cultural Impact.