Overview:
Sidwell Friends School seeks a dedicated and dynamic Associate Director of Admissions to join its 6-member Office of Enrollment Management. This role is pivotal to our PK-12 admissions efforts, supporting recruitment, outreach, and engagement strategies across all school divisions. This role serves as the operational engine of the enrollment office, managing the daily workflow of the team and ensuring it runs with precision, warmth, and efficiency. This role bridges high-level strategy with boots-on-the-ground execution.
Key Responsibilities
1. Operational Leadership & Team Management
Workflow Coordination: Act as the primary manager of the daily admissions cycle. You will translate the Assistant Head’s seasonal goals into actionable tasks for the Assistant Directors and Admissions Counselor.
Team Coaching: Provide functional supervision and mentorship to the Assistant Directors and the Admissions Counselor. You are the first point of contact for their daily tactical questions, grade-based management hurdles, and professional growth.
Shared Leadership (Director Partnership): In the transitional phase, you will work in close lockstep with the AHOS on personnel reporting and performance evaluations, gradually taking on more independent administrative authority as the office structure matures.
2. Systems & Data Mastery
Admissions and SIS Oversight: Work as the primary lead on the admissions platforms, ensuring data integrity and optimizing the system to reduce friction for both families and staff.
Funnel Management: Monitor the health of the application funnel daily; manage the velocity of files moving from inquiry to completed application.
Office Manager Liaison: Partner with the Office Manager to ensure a seamless flow of documents and "back-office" operations, ensuring that event logistics and details concerning committees, trainings, and readings happen on schedule.
3. Lead Navigator & Experience Manager
The Navigator: While the AHOS provides the "Keynote" vision of the school, this role serves as the Lead Navigator for families. You are a high-visibility presence at admissions events, known for your expert knowledge of the process.
Event Execution: Oversee the logistical run of show for major recruitment events, ensuring that the staff and student ambassadors are positioned for maximum impact.
4. Inter-Departmental Collaboration
Bridge Building: Serve as an operational link to the Division Heads (Lower, Middle, Upper School) and faculty to ensure strong partnerships between the divisions and our team are being created, resulting in seamless transitions from prospective student to newly enrolled student.
Required Qualifications & Skills
Experience: 3–5 years of progressive experience in PK-12 or higher ed admissions. Prior experience leading a project or supervising at least one staff member is highly preferred.
The "Execution" Mindset: A proven track record of taking a high-level goal (e.g., "Increase diversity in Grade 6") and breaking it down into a 6-month project plan.
Technical Fluency: Advanced proficiency in various admissions platforms/CRMs. Be comfortable pulling reports and troubleshooting system workflows. Experience with financial aid management is a plus.
Relational Intelligence: The ability to lead and interact effectively all levels of the department. Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education, Leadership, or a related field is a plus.
Performance Indicators
Success in this role will be measured by the following (subject to change as the admissions cycle advances):
The efficiency and cleanliness of produced events during the season.
The morale and productivity of the Assistant Directors and the Admissions Counselor.
The ability to provide the AHOS with accurate, real-time "engine room" data to inform institutional decisions.
Salary
Salary Range $110,000-$130,000. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
To Apply
To be considered, qualified candidates must upload a cover letter, resume, and three references through our online application system (ClearCo). To learn more about our school, please visit https://www.sidwell.edu.
Diversity Statement
Sidwell Friends School affirms the centrality of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of academic and campus life. Honoring a multiplicity of voices, we celebrate shared joys and address tensions productively. Together, we are guided by Quaker testimonies and seek to answer the question, “How do we nurture a sense of belonging in our community and demonstrate our commitment to a just world?”