Position Purpose

The Director of Admissions leads the recruitment, selection, and enrollment of a diverse and highly qualified student body for The Phelps School. This role is responsible for developing and executing marketing and strategic enrollment initiatives that position Phelps as the all-boys college-preparatory boarding and day school of choice for prospective students and their families.  Reporting to the Head of School, the Director of Admissions collaborates closely with senior leadership, faculty, and staff to help set direction and policy, ensuring that enrolled students are well-matched to the Phelps program and prepared to thrive academically, personally, and professionally beyond graduation.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Develops long-term strategies and implementation plans in accordance with enrollment priorities and mission of The Phelps School. Works with the Head of School, senior leadership, faculty and other school constituencies to develop and articulate admissions priorities and philosophy.
• Provides regular reports and planning documents to the Head of School, senior leadership and faculty on the results of admissions activity. Initiates research studies/projects, which aid in understanding the effects and outcomes of admissions and tuition assistance policies and practices; assesses results and seeks feedback from families in the application process on a regular basis.
• Creates marketing plans and develops admissions publications and programs that are consistent with the overall strategy of The Phelps School.
• Works in close coordination with the Head of School and Business Office to

o Develop and oversee the school’s strategy, ensuring that marketing efforts are tied to the school’s financial plan

o Determine financial strategy and allocations

o Prepare and manages the departmental budget, monitoring all expenditures to assure compliance with the policies of school

• Assists development efforts by promoting a fuller understanding of admissions and tuition assistance policies and issues within the alumni community; meeting with donors interested in supporting scholarship programs.
• Represents Phelps at various external fairs, conferences, organizations and associations.

Recruitment

• Organizes and manages all activities to attract a diverse class of high-quality applicants to the School.
• Oversees the recruitment process for the Phelps Admissions Office at the direction of the Head of School. These activities include domestic and global recruitment, travel, and organizing alumni interviews and dinners, and soliciting participation of school constituencies in recruitment.
• Conducts presentations (e.g., feeder schools, consultants, and school fairs) to promote The Phelps School and attract prospective students and their families, both domestic and international.
• Aids in creating an annual retention plan; oversees/assists with re-enrollment process and setting tuition.
• Recruits, develops, and implements strategies to retain high-quality applicants from population groups that are underrepresented.
• Provides on-going consultation to prospective boys, applicants, and their families.

Admissions Activities

• Assists in the evaluation and decision process for establishing admissions standards and for evaluating and making final admit/deny decisions.
• Reviews and reads applications; interviews prospective students; responds to applicant inquiries; and counsels’ prospective boys and their families regarding the admissions process, test taking strategies, curriculum, etc.
• Represents the school before alumni and other groups and serves as the primary contact for admissions.
• Oversees the planning of all admissions events held on and off campus at the direction of the Head of School.

Tuition Assistance Activities

• Works closely with the Head of School to develop a yearly plan for tuition assistance awards. Serves as a member of the Tuition Assistance Committee, which determines tuition assistance award packages for admitted students; performs needs analysis, packaging, counseling, phone calls, office visits, and all contacts with current and prospective tuition assistance students.
• Reviews files and application materials to determine family's ability to pay and eligibility for institutional funds. On a case-by-case basis, uses professional judgment to make adjustments in calculating the expected parental contribution.
• Communicates effectively with a diverse population of current and prospective students and families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Preferred 5 - 7 years of experience in admissions and/or communications and marketing, preferably in the non-profit sector and including prior leadership experience
• Experience with marketing strategy and experience in brand management
• An understanding of independent school culture
• Experience with the entire range of communications and marketing techniques and best practices
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills as well as a proven ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Extensive experience with social media tools and techniques
• The ability to both lead and execute
• Outstanding judgment and maturity
• A very high level of energy, creativity and flexibility

About The Phelps School

Connections working at The Phelps School