Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
Posted: 08-Dec-25
Location: Lafayette, Colorado
Type: Full Time
Salary: $85,000 - $105,000
Categories:
School Overview
Inspire. Innovate. Belong.
At Dawson, we believe that exceptional education is rooted in the strength, expertise, and dedication of our community. We seek passionate and collaborative professionals who are committed to excellence, innovation, and building meaningful connections with students, colleagues, and families.
As a student-centered, college-preparatory school serving grades K–12, Dawson provides a dynamic and supportive environment where every member of our community works to inspire students to reach their fullest potential.
The Director of Admissions plays a pivotal role in advancing Dawson’s mission by sharing the school’s values with prospective families and guiding them through a personalized, welcoming, and mission-aligned admissions experience. This strategic and relationship-driven leader brings professionalism, empathy, and vision to the role—building strong partnerships, promoting diversity and belonging, and ensuring that each family experiences Dawson’s commitment to educational excellence. Collaborating closely with faculty, staff, and school leadership, the Director of Admissions actively contributes to a culture that values connection, inquiry, and growth.
Dawson Mission Statement
Dawson School is dedicated to excellence of mind, body, and character. We prepare students, through challenging and relevant learning, to become creative, resilient problem-solvers who bring their best to the world
At Dawson, you will:
- Shape the region’s strongest college-preparatory program through academic excellence and experiential learning.
- Collaborate with talented colleagues in a supportive and respectful environment.
- Engage in meaningful professional development to refine your craft and advance your career.
- Challenge and support students in a learning community that values curiosity, resilience, and purpose.
- Be part of a school that recognizes and invests in the well-being of its educators through competitive compensation and benefits, along with a culture that nurtures both personal and professional fulfillment.
What You’ll Love About Us
- Retirement: 401(k) plan with employer contribution.
- Healthcare: medical, dental, and vision plans with HSA/FSA options, plus free telehealth services.
- Wellness: access to an employee assistance program, on-site gym, outdoor swimming pool, and certified athletic trainer. Enjoy free, chef-prepared lunches and a walkable, secure campus.
- Life Insurance and Voluntary Benefits: group life insurance with additional voluntary coverage options.
- Time-off: flexible sick time and paid time off.
- Career and Personal Development: support and encouragement for continuous learning and growth, ensuring faculty and staff remain knowledgeable, skilled, and effective in their roles.
- Sustainability: free parking with access to EV charging stations and ECO Pass for RTD.
- Strong Faculty/Staff Culture and Sense of Belonging: welcoming, positive, supportive, and engaged colleagues
Position Overview
Dawson School is seeking a passionate and experienced Director of Admissions to join our dynamic team for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who will lead the recruitment, enrollment, and retention of students, ensuring each family experiences personalized support throughout the admission process. The Director will focus on building meaningful relationships with prospective students and families, guiding them as they explore the opportunities at Dawson School.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, goal-oriented, and service-minded colleague who embodies our commitment to the development of each student. The Director of Admissions will play a key role in helping students connect to learning, find their community, and build confidence, while also advancing the school’s enrollment goals.
Recruitment Responsibilities
- Strategic Enrollment Planning: create and execute a comprehensive three-year Enrollment Marketing and Recruitment Plan that aligns with Dawson’s strategic goals, increasing awareness, inquiries, and applications from mission-aligned families.
- Campus Events Management: plan, coordinate, and manage recruitment events on campus, including open houses, academic showcases, and campus tours.
- Community Outreach: collaborate with area schools to develop and maintain feeder-school relationships and a mutual referral program, strengthening Dawson’s visibility and supporting mission-aligned student recruitment.
- International Student Program: manage the process, including recruitment and assessment, to ensure a supportive and enriching experience for all international students.
- Dawson Community Scholars Program: lead efforts to recruit, support, and retain students from underrepresented backgrounds, in alignment with Dawson’s mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Communications Collaboration: work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications to implement seasonal and ongoing communication plans, including social media campaigns, promotional mailings, public service announcements, and paid advertising in local media outlets such as newspapers, magazines, and radio.
- Database and Technology Proficiency: maintain a strong working knowledge of admissions and advancement databases, platforms, and management software utilized by the school to track and optimize recruitment efforts.
- Public Speaking and Brand Representation: effectively communicate the Dawson story to prospective families, conveying the value of the school’s program, curriculum, and co-curricular opportunities. Serve as an ambassador for the Dawson brand at on-campus and external events.
- Relationship-Building: demonstrate a people-oriented approach, building meaningful relationships with prospective and current school families to foster trust, engagement, and long-term commitment.
Admissions Responsibilities
- Prospective Student Management: oversee each prospective student file throughout the admissions process, ensuring timely follow-up with inquiries, coordinating campus visits, and managing the admissions funnel efficiently.
- Family Engagement: conduct initial interviews with prospective families as needed to assess alignment with Dawson’s admissions requirements. Coordinate and schedule family interviews in collaboration with the Head of School, Division Heads, and relevant staff.
- Application Review: collect, screen, and complete application materials before forwarding to the designated administrator for family interviews. Communicate with families whose applications do not meet admissions criteria in a professional and respectful manner.
- Admissions Open Houses: plan and conduct two annual open houses to showcase Dawson’s academic, arts, and athletic offerings to prospective families.
- New Family Welcome Program: enhance and formalize current efforts to ensure a smooth transition for incoming students and families, fostering early connection and engagement within the Dawson community.
- Learning Differences: identify applicants with potential learning or behavioral challenges and collaborate with division directors and learning specialists to ensure appropriate support.
- Tuition Assistance: coordinate and manage, with the Head of School and Tuition Assistance Committee, the administration of base aid, supporting fair and mission-driven financial assistance decisions.
- Compliance and Reporting: maintain certifications, standards, and professional expectations required by school policy and accreditation guidelines. Provide regular enrollment reports to the Head of School, Division Directors, and CFO, including class sizes, waitlists, and potential enrollment concerns.
- Data Management and Analysis: track inquiries and prospective students to ensure admissions data is accurate and accessible. Conduct statistical analyses and surveys to inform admissions strategy and decision-making.
- Retention and Feedback: conduct exit interviews with departing students and families to gather feedback and identify trends that inform retention efforts.
- Student Ambassadors and Community Engagement: build relationships with students to understand the Dawson experience. Recruit, train, and support student ambassadors to assist with admissions initiatives and donor relations.
- Internal Communications: develop communications to keep the school community informed about enrollment trends, strategic progress, and successes aligned with Dawson’s mission and vision.
Other Responsibilities
- Develop, manage, and monitor the Admissions Department budget to ensure effective use of financial resources in support of Dawson’s enrollment and marketing objectives.
- Assist with and manage special projects or assignments as needed.
- Participate in departmental, divisional, or school-wide task forces and committees.
- Engage in Dawson community events, supporting faculty, staff, students, and families.
- Pursue professional growth opportunities to stay current in independent school admissions, enrollment management, and development practices.
Staff Managed and Supervised
- Associate Director of Admissions
- Admissions Administrative Assistant
The Director of Admissions will provide leadership, guidance, and professional development to ensure the admissions team operates efficiently and effectively, supporting Dawson School’s enrollment goals.
Required Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience in admissions, enrollment management, or related independent school roles.
- Master’s degree in education, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
- Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills—both written and verbal.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with direct reports, parents, faculty, and staff, the Board of Trustees, and other school community members.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail and professionalism.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace (Google Suite).
Required Personal Qualifications
- Leadership style grounded in teamwork, collaboration, and personal accountability.
- Strong ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and delegate responsibilities effectively.
- Clear, appropriate, and timely communication with faculty, staff, administrators, Board members, parents, students, and external partners—demonstrating professionalism, maturity, discretion, and sound judgment.
- Highly detail-oriented and excellent time manager —both their own and that of others.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills across all constituent groups.
- Absolute integrity, discretion, and confidentiality in all matters.
- Strong work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to the school’s mission.
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills in complex situations.
- Proven ability to meet deadlines and balance competing priorities.
- Strong supervisory and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and guide team members effectively.
- Collegial, flexible, and adaptable work ethic.
- Passion for an educational environment that fosters a lifelong love of learning and personal growth.
Job Opening: July 1, 2026
Salary range: $85,000 - $105,000
Employment Type: Full Time
To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter through the Dawson School website at www.dawsonschool.org.
- Click on ABOUT at the top of the homepage.
- Select Careers.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page under Our Current Job Openings and select the Director of Admissions posting.
Please note that only online applications will be accepted. No phone calls, please.
Dawson School Diversity Statement
Dawson is united in nurturing a culture of belonging that embraces diversity of thought, experience, identity, and passion.
Dawson actively promotes and embraces the exchange of diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds through curricular design, community involvement, and the integration of our four virtues - respect, compassion, courage, and integrity – into every aspect of our community life. It is our responsibility to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all members of our community, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, ability, or religion, as well as to cultivate in each student the ability to make empathetic, socially responsible decisions.
Applicant Acknowledgment and Certification
By submitting my application, I acknowledge and certify that the information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize the employer to verify any information it deems relevant to my employment application, including my employment history, educational background, credit history, and record of criminal convictions.
I understand that my former employers, educational institutions, and personal references may release information about me in response to inquiries from the employer. I further understand that any offer of employment is contingent upon satisfactory reference checks and the successful completion of a criminal history check.
I acknowledge that providing false, misleading, or incomplete information, or omitting material facts in my application or during the interview process, may result in denial of employment or termination if already employed.
I also understand that I must provide unexpired documentation establishing my legal authorization to work in the United States within three business days of my employment start date.
If employed, I understand that my employment will be on an at-will basis, meaning it is not guaranteed for any specific duration and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice.
The School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal consideration to all applicants and employees based solely on job-related qualifications, in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
- Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience in admissions, enrollment management, or related independent school roles.
- Master’s degree in education, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
- Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills—both written and verbal.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with direct reports, parents, faculty, and staff, the Board of Trustees, and other school community members.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail and professionalism.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace (Google Suite).