The Chicago Academy for the Arts

Admissions Associate

The Chicago Academy for the Arts (chicagoacademyforthearts.org), Illinois’ premier visual and performing arts high school, seeks a full-time admissions professional to join its growing admissions team.

The Academy’s educational model is co-curricular: students engage in rigorous academic classes for five hours each day before immersing themselves in 3-5 hours of professional-level training in dance, filmmaking, animation, writing, music, musical theatre, theatre, or visual arts. (Note: The Chicago Academy for the Arts is a different school than “ChiArts”, a CPS school.)

Students at The Academy are characterized by an extraordinary sense of purpose and community. Most continue with the arts after high school: alums include hit songwriters, Grammy Award nominees and winners, Broadway stars, internationally acclaimed dancers and visual artists, and award-winning filmmakers and writers. Students also pursue degrees and careers outside of the arts: many alums are successful professionals in the fields of science, mathematics, technology, business, law, healthcare, and many more.

We will be considering a range of candidates for this position, and the role will have a variable degree of responsibility based on the experience and qualifications of the person hired.

Reporting to the Director of Enrollment Management, Admissions Associates are responsible for supporting all aspects of the recruitment, application, enrollment, and re-enrollment process, including:

• Primary “on the ground” recruiter for outreach to community organizations and schools with a focus on building the admissions and marketing inquiry funnel 
• Attends majority of recruitment events including but not limited to: school fairs
• Hosts prospective families at Academy events such as performances and exhibitions
• Database and information management, from entering and retrieving data to conducting research
• Interaction with prospective students and their families, from initial inquiry to assisting throughout the application and enrollment process
• Management of various admissions events both at school and off campus, from planning, to correspondence with registrants, to physical setup and breakdown, to assistance with execution 
• Supporting the work of various committees through preparation of materials and documenting proceedings
• Supporting when appropriate and necessary the Marketing & Communications Department
• Managing entrance exams for prospective students
• Assisting with the recruitment and enrollment of international students
• Assisting with all aspects of our Middle School Programs (aka “Summer and Saturday Programs”)
• Other administrative support as needed including school-wide events and special projects  
• Maintaining a flexible schedule - working extended/irregular hours as necessary including nights and weekends

A more experienced candidate will play a larger role in managing our Middle School Programs and participating in direct recruitment activities.

This position is an extraordinary opportunity for an ambitious administrator to play an important role in a school that routinely transforms the lives of its students. Simply put: this work matters.

An entry-level candidate will:

• Have a degree in social science, communications, education, or a related field (or equivalent related experience/education???)
• Have at least two years of work experience in non-profit or educational setting
• Have demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and execute complex projects, committees, and events?
• Be proficient (preferably advanced) in school management platforms, preferably Salesforce, as well as all typical office software applications
• Have superior communication, organizational and relationship-building skills
• Be able to function in a fast-paced environment, prioritize projects and provide timely results
• Have demonstrated ability to professionally interact with diverse groups of people in high-pressure situations
• Be a self-starter with the ability to work independently
• Be a team player with a positive and even-keeled attitude

In addition, a more experienced candidate will have deeper experience in independent-school admissions environments and arts program management.

The salary for this position begins at $40,000 and will be commensurate with a candidate's experience and qualifications as our budget allows.

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume via email to Amanda LePard, Director of Enrollment Management: employment@chicagoartsacademy.org.

The Chicago Academy for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and staff and maintaining an inclusive community. All qualified applicants — regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law — are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Chicago Academy for the Arts

Established in 1981, the Chicago Academy for the Arts is a nationally recognized, internationally influential independent high school acclaimed for its successful academic model and intellectually savvy graduates. Designated a National School of Distinction by the John F. Kennedy Center, The Academy transforms emerging artists through a curriculum and culture which connect intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity to impart the skills to lead and collaborate across diverse communities.

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