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Baltimore, Maryland
La Jolla, California
Posted: 05-Mar-26
Location: Interlochen, Michigan
Type: Full Time
Salary: 60,000
Categories:
Salary Details:
Required Education:
Additional Information:
Internal Number: 85509-367653
As a global leader in arts education, Interlochen is committed to nurturing both the individual artist and the collective community. We believe that artistic excellence is achieved through creativity, dedication, and meaningful collaboration. By joining our team, you contribute to a long-standing tradition of pioneering arts education while helping to shape the future of students in the arts. Together, we strive to create a positive, lasting impact on the arts and the world.
Position Summary:
The Associate Director of Admission Operations (AD) plays a critical role in ensuring that the admission process is accurate, student-centered, and operationally sound. Working in close partnership with admission counselors, the Executive Dean of Admission, and the AVP of Enrollment, Strategy, & Data Analytics, this position serves as the operational lead for the admission team. This role is responsible for managing the processes, data integrity, and workflows that power the enrollment funnel.
This is a hands-on, detail-oriented role for a professional who thrives at the intersection of people, process, and data. The Associate Director manages the full admissions lifecycle, from application completion and financial aid review through decision release, ensuring that applicants are guided thoughtfully through the process and that institutional records remain complete, accurate, and reliable.
A central focus of this position is supporting applicants and families in completing admission and financial aid requirements. Through proactive outreach and clear communication, the Associate Director helps remove barriers to completion, allowing every applicant to be reviewed on the strength of a complete and accurate file.
This position offers the opportunity to apply broad-based knowledge of enrollment management and financial aid while serving as an arts advocate at one of the nation’s premier arts education centers. The Office of Admission & Financial Aid works with thousands of qualified elementary through high school–age students from around the world each year across numerous artistic disciplines and study sessions. This position is a full time remote position which includes a complete benefits package.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Applicant & Family Support
- Engage directly with applicants and families to provide guidance on completing admission and financial aid requirements.
- Proactively identify incomplete applicant populations that require intervention, and coordinate targeted outreach to support timely completion of application requirements.
- Help applicants identify an alternate program fit if their first choice program is not a viable option.
- Communicate clearly and empathetically with families regarding requirements, timelines, and next steps.
Admissions Operations & Quality Control
- Design and maintain efficient operational processes and suggest adjustments to improve team-wide workflows.
- Ensure accurate and timely movement of applicants through all stages of the admissions process.
- Manage high-stakes decision release processes, including data validation, testing, and final quality checks.
- Conduct regular audits and reconcile discrepancies across systems to ensure data integrity.
Financial Aid Processing
- Conduct comprehensive reviews of financial aid applications to confirm completeness and identify missing documentation.
- Verify and process financial data for complex files, including dual-households and international income verification.
- Provide guidance to families on income documentation, financial aid application requirements, and navigating the financial aid platform.
- Coordinate data flow between financial aid systems and the student information system to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Collaboration & Institutional Stewardship
- Partner with enrollment leadership to execute strategic enrollment priorities through operational excellence.
- Support recruitment activities, including occasional travel and evening or weekend events.
- Comply with ICA policies/procedures and act as a good steward of ICA finances.
- Respect the culture, diversity and rights of all students, their families and the community.
- Prioritize daily duties to align with organizational growth and strategic enrollment objectives.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Work Environment:
Work is performed primarily in a standard office and classroom environment with extensive internal and external stakeholder contact.
Education: Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred
Required Skills/ Experience:
- Minimum of three years in an education or non-profit setting with a focus on operations, admissions, financial aid, or enrollment technology.
- Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to provide supportive guidance to families and cultivate meaningful relationships.
- Exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and proactive problem-solving skills.
- Comfort with (or a strong aptitude to learn) financial concepts, including the review of income documentation, assets, and tax records.
- Strong data management skills, including working with spreadsheets, reports, and data.
Preferred experience:
- Advanced proficiency in CRM systems (Salesforce) or financial aid application software.
- Background in arts education or mission-driven organizations.
- Affinity for the arts; interest in supporting young artists and creative communities.
- Experience with financial aid processing is a plus.
Equipment Familiarity: Mac Laptop, Google Suite, Salesforce
Certifications, Licenses or Special Training:
- Must meet and maintain background screening requirements as detailed in policy 12.HR.01 Pre-Employment and Employee Background Checks.
- Valid driver’s license and driving record that meets the eligibility requirements of ICA’s insurance carrier (for all positions requiring driving).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and time management skills including outstanding oral and written communication skills
- Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and accuracy.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet long-term goals.
- Strong capability to work collaboratively and collegially with a wide variety of constituents
- Aptitude for embracing diversity in individuals, perspectives, artistic styles, and more
- Timely responsiveness
For a complete job description and to apply, go to Interlochen.org/careers or the direct link Associate Director of Admission Operations
Application Materials:
- Cover Letter
- Resume