Jobs

The Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid position presents an exciting opportunity for a passionate, creative, and customer service-oriented professional to touch and impact every aspect of school life.

On any given day, you might find the Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid…

• Greeting students, parents, and caregivers at arrival and dismissal along with other members of the Leadership Team.
• Collaborating with the Community, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Board of Trustees to assess progress on strategic enrollment goals.
• Training Middle School students to lead school tours.
• Connecting with students, teachers, and caregivers at an afterschool athletic game or performance.
• Collaborating with the Marketing and Communications Director to create a targeted digital marketing strategy.
• Leading a strategy session focused on short-term and long-term troubleshooting in response to local market changes that could impact admissions.

Key responsibilities

Leadership and management

Develop and implement an admissions program that effectively models Charles River School’s mission, values, and culture for all prospective students and families.

Use admissions and enrollment data to track progress to goals, identify trends, and inform planning and decision making. Understand and proactively respond to local and national trends that affect enrollment.

Manage all aspects of the admissions process including welcoming, touring, and interviewing; maintain an ongoing relationship with prospective families.

Oversee the school’s enrollment and financial aid budgets and strategies in partnership with the Director of Finance

Manage and organize the distribution of funds dedicated to financial aid according to the school’s mission and strategic priorities.

Oversee the daily functions of the Enrollment Management Office including answering phone calls, making appointments, responding to requests for admission materials and applications, helping with office mailings, and answering questions as needed.

Direct the scheduling, coordinating, and execution of all admissions events and outreach initiatives including:

○ Open houses

○ Programming for new and prospective families

○ School tours, classroom visits, interviews

○ New student gatherings

○ New family mentor program

○ New student and family onboarding process

Manage the daily operations of the Enrollment Management Office, including budget, database, filing, correspondence, and mailings.

Organize and lead the meetings of volunteers from the Parent Association Admissions Committee, ensuring that admission and enrollment decisions align with board-directed demographic targets, the school’s financial sustainability goals and CRS’ ongoing commitment to diversity, access, and inclusion.

Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Director regarding website management and development, video production, and weekly E-news for all inquiries, applicants, and newly enrolled students.

Along with the other members of the Leadership Team, attend various school events, gatherings, and celebrations.

 Partnering with faculty and students

Develop a deep knowledge of CRS’ academic and social emotional curriculum and keep up to date on changes and innovations.

Enlist teacher feedback and support in the admissions process.

Connect families with relevant faculty and staff as needed.

Partnering with volunteers

Maintain the monthly admissions and enrollment dashboard and report progress, as necessary, to the Board of Trustees on strategic objectives.

Partner with the Parent Association to leverage family engagement initiatives, community events, and marketing tools like CRS gear to achieve admissions objectives.

 Partnering with the external community

Represent and promote CRS at external events; identify and leverage potential networking and recruitment opportunities.

Cultivate community partnerships; establish, maintain, and grow relationships with feeder schools.

Leadership and personal qualities

A visionary leader with the knowledge, ingenuity, fortitude, passion, and decisiveness necessary to build trusting relationships, promote Charles River School, and advance its mission.

An enthusiastic commitment to CRS’ progressive pedagogical approach.

High cultural competency and racial literacy, and a demonstrated commitment to community, equity, and inclusion.

An ability to lead and motivate collaboratively and manage assignments with excellent organization, delivery, creativity, planning, and attention to detail.

A strong understanding of the relationships between the admissions, marketing, communication, development, and finance functions in an independent school or a similar organization.

A professional, collaborative, team-oriented style characterized by empathy, flexibility, and grace.

Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage multiple initiatives.

A genuine appreciation of and respect for children; energy and enthusiasm for all aspects of school life.

Warmth and a good sense of humor; patience, sense of curiosity and a love of learning.

Comfort and experience presenting in front of small and large groups.

The desire and ability to work collaboratively, to innovate, and be part of a team.

Professional qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree, at minimum; a Master’s degree in education, communications, marketing, or a related field preferred.

Three to five years of leadership and supervisory experience, preferably in an admissions role, that reflects a track record of cultivating positive relationships with various stakeholders.

Experience working in diverse and culturally responsive elementary and middle schools or with organizations that serve children in this age group and their families.

Ability to build trust, work collaboratively, and engage productively with students, families, faculty, staff, trustees, and colleagues on the Leadership Team.

Demonstrated interpersonal skills that reflect a growth mindset.

Proven ability to communicate passionately, clearly, and concisely. Superior writing and oral communication skills.

Demonstrated success inspiring and leading a team, including establishing goals, managing performance, and fostering professional growth.

Experience working with Blackbaud or similar databases systems.

Expertise in the ethical, legal, and confidentiality considerations related to admissions practices.

Compensation and benefits

This is a full-time, twelve-month exempt position and reports to the Head of School. The salary for this position will be commensurate with experience. CRS employees enjoy a competitive employee benefits program including medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement plan contribution, and voluntary supplemental life insurance and long-term care coverage.

Charles River School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following materials by May 1, 2024:

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in working at CRS and how your talents and experience are a fit for this position.
• A current résumé.
• A statement of your leadership philosophy (no longer than one page).
• A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without notifying the candidate first).

Charles River School actively seeks candidates who will contribute and are committed to a diverse school community and inclusive educational practices. Interested individuals should send materials (listed above) to crsjobs@charlesriverschool.org (please include Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid in the subject line) and fill out the CRS Employment Application by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/KuQLJ6nF8ctLecLG7.