Director of Enrollment Management

Our Purpose

Our Purpose is to inspire and challenge students to better themselves and the world around them.

Our Core Behaviors

Want to know whether you would be a good cultural fit on our team at Pilgrim?  We strongly value teamwork as the fabric of our professional community.  We are looking for team players who are:

Humble - They are more concerned with the success of the team than with getting credit for their contributions. Humble people are quick to point out the contributions of others and slow to seek attention for their own.  They emphasize team over self and define success collectively rather than individually. Humble team players are not afraid to honestly acknowledge the skills and talents they bring to the team, though never in a proud or boastful way.

Driven - They have the desire to work hard and do whatever is necessary to help the team succeed. Their pursuit of self-improvement and desire to contribute is evident. They understand that their personal growth supports the success of their students and peers.  Driven people almost never have to be pushed to work harder because they are self-motivated and diligent.

Relational - They use common sense about people and understand the importance of forming and maintaining positive relationships. Relational people value what is happening in a group situation and how to connect with others in the most effective and meaningful way. They use good judgment about how their words and actions impact group dynamics.  They have a desire for strong connections with people in order to contribute to effective teamwork and a collaborative environment.

Our Anchors

Want to know what sets Pilgrim apart in our approach to education? You would be a great fit if your beliefs and practices align with our three anchors below:

Joyful Experience - We foster a strong sense of community and honor traditions that bring us together. Our commitment to a healthy school environment ensures that every student feels safe and supported, while offering student choice empowers them to take an active role in their education.

Focus on Mastery - We hold students to high academic standards and provide students with a clear understanding of what they are expected to learn, where they are in the learning process, and through feedback, how to improve.  Students engage in authentic and challenging learning experiences that prioritize depth and retention over surface understanding and build future-ready skills.

Personal Attention - We celebrate every identity, creating an inclusive environment where all community members feel valued. Strong connections between faculty, students, and parents are fostered to ensure that each student is seen and known. By focusing on individual student needs, we support the unique development and success of every child in our care.

Pilgrim at a Glance

Pilgrim School, founded in 1958, is a mastery-based, college preparatory school in Koreatown with an inclusive community serving Preschool through 12th Grade. 

7:1 Overall Student:Teacher Ratio

375 Students from Preschool to 12th Grade

Average Class Size is 12-15 students

57% Faculty and Staff identify as people of color

Position Summary

The Director of Enrollment Management is a strategic leader, relational connector, and dynamic ambassador for Pilgrim School. Charged with shaping the school’s enrollment vision from inquiry to graduation, this individual leads with both data and heart—crafting innovative recruitment strategies, championing student retention, and ensuring that every prospective family experiences the warmth, clarity, and purpose that define Pilgrim. The Director partners closely with school leadership to forecast enrollment trends, elevate the school’s brand through authentic storytelling, and cultivate relationships that reflect Pilgrim’s deep commitment to personal attention, mastery-based learning, and joyful community. This is a highly visible role that requires strategic insight, emotional intelligence, and a passion for making families feel truly seen and known.

Major Areas of Responsibility

●        Oversees the comprehensive admission program, from inquiry to enrollment of new students, and provides leadership for a comprehensive enrollment management program that tracks and supports the retention of enrolled students from point of entry to graduation.

●        In collaboration with the Head of School, develops and implements a strategy for admission, including forecasting in relation to long-term objectives, and develops and orchestrates an annual action plan to meet short and long-term admission and retention goals.

●        Presents the school to prospective families, oversees the systematic and efficient handling of applications, and collaborates with the Division Directors processes and activities, including; conducting interviews with candidates and their parents

●        Arranging admissions testing; securing of necessary student supplemental paperwork; open houses; classroom/shadow visits; placement testing, and Student and Parent Ambassador Programs.

●        Evaluates and communicates final admissions decisions to candidates and their parents in conjunction with the Admissions Committee, and supervises the sending of decisions and other decision-related communications.

●        Oversees management of the school’s inquiry database and establishes protocols for regular contact with potential families, helping to keep them connected and informed.

●        Cultivates and maintains relationships. 

●        Utilizes data and research to keep Pilgrim at the forefront of admissions trends; attends local and national conferences and/or appropriate webinars to keep up with current research.

●        Maintains a professional environment in which confidentiality and integrity are essential ingredients, and evaluates, recommends and implements strategic goals regarding the comprehensive Admission and Enrollment Management Programs and related staffing.

●        Conceptualizes and implements traditional and inbound marketing, communication, and recruitment strategies. Evaluates and redesigns where appropriate, all aspects of the admissions and marketing program and collateral with the goal of maintaining a capacity enrollment. Oversees the content on the website.

●        Provides regular updates to the Head of School on key admissions metrics. Prepares end-of-year report summarizing admission process and capturing important admission statistics; administers end-of-season surveys to students who enroll and those who decline to enroll.

●        Chairs the Admission Committee, trains Committee members on reading files, and leads the Committee in decision-making discussions.

●        Serves on the Financial Aid Committee.

●        Heads the internal Retention Committee and works collaboratively to track, report, and forecast student retention and plan future enrollment.

●        Represents the school at on and off-campus events and consortium groups, the broader community and serves as the public voice on matters relating to the admission process.

●        Supervises and manages the admission office staff: Admissions Associate, Director of Communications and Marketing, front office staff and nurse

●        Serves as the PDSO or DSO for SEVIS to facilitate F-1 visas for International Students. Updates records, registration and school recertification as needed through SEVIS.

●        Some international and domestic travel for recruitment of boarding students as needed..

●        Performs other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

Required Qualifications

●        A deep commitment to Pilgrim School’s mission, and ability to articulate the School’s mission, philosophy, and educational programs and offerings clearly and effectively.

●        Superior skills in communication and technology, including outstanding writing and public speaking skills.

●        Knowledgeable in admissions-based software systems

●        Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills

●        Excellent managerial skills and ability to collaborate on a team

●        Knowledgeable and passionate about early education through high school education and the needs and development of children

●        Minimum of 5 years prior independent school admissions experience, with a proven record of success in strengthening enrollment by creating a systematic and strategic approach toward cultivation of applicants

●        Warm, professional, consultative demeanor to build rapport and establish credibility and apply critical interpersonal skills to influence positive outcomes

●        Bachelor’s Degree required

Preferred Background

●        Master’s Degree preferred

●        Teaching experience preferred

Salary Range and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $98,000-$145,000, depending on experience and qualifications.  We offer a full and robust range of medical, dental and vision benefits, participation in a 403b retirement plan, which we will match up to 4%, and life insurance. More information about all of our benefits will be provided during the interview process.

Timeline and Start Date

The deadline to apply for this position is ongoing until the position is filled.  The start date for this position is July 1, 2025.  Please note that employment is subject to Live Scan clearance and reference checks prior to beginning employment.

How to Apply

To be fully considered for the position, please send your resume, cover letter, and references (including a supervisor) to employment@pilgrim-school.org attention to Patricia Kong, Head of School

Pilgrim School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Pilgrim School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.