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Title of position: Director of Admission
Job Class: 100% full-time, exempt, year-round
Reports to: Head of School
Start Date: July 1, 2024
Pay Range: $6,250 to $7,291.67 semi-monthly ($150,000 to $175,000 if annualized). The starting salary is based upon, but not limited to, several factors that include type and years of experience, education level, and expertise.
Benefits include: medical, dental, vision, and term life insurance of $50,000 subsidized at 100% for employees; life insurance; long-term disability insurance; matching 403b; generous time off benefits including vacation time, and sick leave; professional development.
The San Francisco Friends School (SFFS), located in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco, educates K-8 students in the tradition of Quaker learning. By example and commitment, we hope to inspire all connected with our school to work together toward a peaceful and caring society. For further information about San Francisco Friends School’s beginnings, mission and philosophy, please visit our website at www.sffriendsschool.org.
Primary Responsibilities
The Director of Admission is responsible for stewarding the school’s values and mission, through enrollment, with a deep understanding of our school’s history and commitment to Quaker education. A key member of the school’s leadership team and reporting to the Head of School, the Director of Admission works in close partnership with a wide and varied range of groups within and outside of the school: administrators; the Associate Director of Admissions; parent/guardian volunteers; staff; faculty; preschool directors and educational access partners to attract, engage, recruit, enroll, and welcome mission-aligned students and families to the school. The Director of Admission is a proud and dedicated ambassador of San Francisco Friends School and its mission, cultivating relationships and connections both locally and nationally.
Essential Skills and Qualities
The Director of Admission plays a crucial role in shaping school culture and building a diverse and inclusive community. To that end, The Director of Admission is a warm, welcoming, and authentic person who demonstrates a passion for San Francisco Friends School’s history, mission, program, and vision for the future. The Director of Admission has impeccable professionalism and strong interpersonal skills including warmth, graciousness, and respect; an ability and curiosity to connect with people from all walks of life, believing in the power of personalized, high-touch interactions; an engaging leader who is a highly organized, upbeat and a hardworking team player; a strategic thinker and creative designer of new systems and approaches; a consummate colleague who understands the importance of balancing transparency and diplomacy; and an outstanding oral and written communicator with strong organizational skills.
Specific Areas of Responsibility
Strategic Leadership
- Serve as a strategic thought partner with the Head of School in managing all aspects of enrollment planning and monitoring the demographic outlook in a highly competitive landscape
- Work with the Chief Financial and Operations Officer to set budgeted enrollment goals and to ensure access and affordability for the varied demographics of families in the San Francisco Bay area in a manner that moves the School towards continued financial strength and sustainability
- Bring innovative and equity-minded thinking to the design of the admissions process for prospective students and families, balancing the efficiency of Ravenna with a high-touch approach
- Design and implement marketing and recruitment strategies to increase depth and diversity of all kinds in the admissions pool
- Collaborate on branding, storytelling, and the development of admissions outreach materials with the Director of Communications and the Head to School to clearly communicate San Francisco Friends School’s mission, values and program, and refine the school’s marketing strategy
- Ensure San Francisco Friends School effectively and enthusiastically communicates its impact and enduring value to parents/guardians through clear, creative, and consistent storytelling, marketing, and outreach
- Attend national conferences to remain knowledgeable about enrollment management and the competitive admissions landscape
Relationship Building
- Serve as a brand champion, enthusiastic school ambassador, and affable relationship-builder who is skilled at forming new community connections in service to the school
- Ensure that San Francisco Friends School effectively communicates its impact and value to prospective parents/guardians through clear, creative, and consistent marketing and outreach
- Cultivate and maintain partnerships with preschool directors, elementary schools, and educational access organizations (i.e. SMART, Breakthrough), counselors, and consultants
- Interview prospective parents/guardians to gauge interest and determine mission alignment
- Develop and execute spring orientation events for newly admitted students and parents/guardians in partnership with the leadership team
- Represent San Francisco Friends School at recruitment fairs in the Bay Area
Process, Preparation, and Planning
- Design and execute school tours, along with the creation and implementation of a variety of outreach initiatives, including events, personal outreach, and community and parent/guardian engagement, in collaboration with school leadership
- Ensure that all aspects of the admissions process are aligned with our mission and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Recruit, inspire, and prepare parent/guardian volunteers to support admissions tours and events
- Arrange and coordinate student assessment/shadow days and visits in consultation with the leadership team and faculty. Train and support 7th and 8th grade students in their roles as admissions ambassadors
- Oversee the Friends Community Scholars program in conjunction with the admissions committee and Chief Financial and Operations Officer
- Manage new student enrollment and the re-enrollment process for current students in close connection with the Chief Financial and Operations Officer and Controller
- In partnership with Division Heads and learning specialists, help guide new student orientation efforts
Decision-Making, Data Analysis and Reporting
- Read all admissions applications and make decisions in partnership with key administrators
- Sit on the Adjustable Tuition committee to award tuition assistance in accordance with overall enrollment management goals
- Review applicant screening protocols and student assessment tools to ensure effectiveness
- Track, analyze and interpret admissions data in real time throughout the admissions season
- Use admissions and enrollment data over time to identify trends, track progress to goals, and inform planning and decision-making
- Optimize the technical capabilities of data management systems (Ravenna; Veracross)
- Attend and report to the Board of Trustees meetings in order to keep them fully apprised of the school’s admission, enrollment, and financial aid data and policies
- Report on the school’s enrollment to the professional community on an annual basis
General Areas of Responsibility
- Serve as a member of the school’s leadership team
- Supervise, mentor, and collaborate with Associate Director of Admission
- Provide duty coverage and help with supervision at all school community events
- Attend and present at board meetings upon request from the Head of School
- Other duties as needed
Desired Professional Experience and Personal Attributes
- Outstanding communication skills (particularly listening with empathy) and a proven track record of being an effective manager and community builder across multiple constituencies
- High level of cultural humility and deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion both in the approach to one’s work and in building relationships with internal and external partners
- Strong organizational skills with high efficiency and accuracy; an ability to use time effectively and meet important deadlines
- A detail-oriented thinker who is also able to see and understand the “big picture”
- Keen understanding of best practices in independent school admissions.
- Willingness to take risks and explore new strategies in communications, marketing, operations, and technology
- A leadership style characterized by kindness, authenticity, integrity, discretion, self-awareness, humor, flexibility, diplomacy, and trust
- Ability to engage in and facilitate difficult and/or delicate conversations.
- Self-confidence and the ability to join a high-performing, hardworking team of administrators
- Five or more years of admissions and/or talent recruitment experience
- Working knowledge of Ravenna preferred
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
- Spanish proficiency or fluency (a plus!)
Physical requirements:
Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
EEO Commitment:
The San Francisco Friends School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, marital status or any other category protected by law. The school also makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities; candidates who need accommodations in order to apply for this position should request an accommodation as part of the submission of interest.
How to Apply
Candidates should review the job description and our website with care and indicate their interest in the role by submitting a thoughtful cover letter, resumé, and written reflection (500 words maximum).
The written reflection should address these two questions:
- What personal strengths have prepared you for success as SFFS’s next Director of Admission?
- Can you tell us about a defining professional experience that would shape how you approach the Director of Admission role?
https://sffriendsschool.applytojob.com/apply/CDWQpMORW5/Director-Of-Admission
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