Sidwell Friends School seeks a dedicated and dynamic Assistant Director of Admissions to join its 6-member Office of Enrollment Management. This role is pivotal to our PK-12 admissions and retention efforts, supporting recruitment, outreach, and engagement strategies across all school divisions. The position requires collaboration with divisional leadership teams and outreach to area schools, organizations, and prospective families. The assistant director reports directly to the Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management.

The work required as an assistant director includes, but may not be limited to, the following activities and tasks, some of which take place on weekends and evenings on campus and off throughout the school year:

Outreach & Recruitment:

• Build relationships with area schools, student-serving organizations, educational consultants, and community partners across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
• Help establish and/or maintain a database of community contacts and outreach activity logs.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies tailored to the needs of each division’s admissions goals as set by AHOS - EM.
• Support school visits, fairs, and informational sessions to engage prospective families and community organizations.
• Track and analyze outreach efforts to refine recruitment tactics.

Admissions Process Management:

• Assist in designing key presentations for use by team members responsible for recruitment and engagement.
• Design and refresh tour experiences, recruiting and training parent and student ambassadors.
• Coordinate tour dates, info-sessions, open houses, and special programming by division. Finalize with AHOS - EM.
• Annually assist with refreshing the student visit and assessment experience.
• Lead interviews and student visits, providing detailed notes for committee review.
• Serve on admissions committees and assist in training committee members.
• Assist with maintaining accurate information in admissions databases.
• Assist with group visit coordination and production. Provide support with grading and uploading assessments, offering feedback to visit leaders, and ensuring thorough and clear visit documentation.

Communications & Collaboration:

• Under the direction of the AHOS - EM, collaborate with the Communications Team to align messaging for various audiences.
• Provide support with student profiles to aid in new student transitions.
• Participate in the Enrollment Management Working Group to discuss strategies and progress.
• Support the evaluation of group visit assessments against new student performance metrics.

Event Planning & Execution:

• Plan and execute recruitment, transition, and welcoming events for newly admitted families.
• Co-direct the Parent Admissions Ambassador Corps and Sidwell Ambassador Leadership Team.
• Create and design events to support specific divisional admissions goals, including Lower School visits, Middle School shadow days, and Upper School student interviews.

Data & Reporting:

• Regularly check admissions activity as a reference for how to adjust events, tours, and other admissions events.
• Periodically generate divisional reports for leadership to support admissions decisions and onboarding processes.
• Analyze trends to inform outreach and recruitment strategies.

Professional Development:

• Build relationships with colleagues at other independent schools and contribute to professional networks.
• Apply for grants to attend conferences, join free webinars, and workshops to enhance recruitment and admissions knowledge - AISAP, AISGW, EMA/NewOrg

Members of the enrollment team share responsibility for many aspects of the work and assistant directors take on some tasks more frequently than others. The following list summarizes some of those tasks:

• Review and respond to admissions inquiries via phone, email, and in-person visits.
• Coordinate and prepare for scheduled tours and interviews.
• Lead interviews and debrief sessions, documenting findings.
• Communicate with divisional leaders to support the applicant process and new family transitions.
• Manage admissions event planning and logistics. Coordinate with the office manager.
• Track progress against outreach and admissions goals.
• Update and maintain admissions database records with interview, phone call, email and event notes.
• Attend and contribute to Team Meetings and Enrollment Management Working Group meetings.
• Handle tasks as delegated by the director as they arise.

Evaluation of Performance:

Evaluation of the Assistant Director of Admissions will be conducted by the Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management and Financial Aid. Performance will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Achievement of Enrollment Goals: Success in meeting outreach, recruitment, and enrollment targets as determined by the strategic enrollment plan.
• Relationship Building: Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with prospective families, community organizations, and divisional leadership teams.
• Event Management & Execution: Effective planning, coordination, and execution of admissions events, including tours, info-sessions, open houses, and welcoming programs.
• Collaboration & Communication: Quality and consistency of communication with internal and external stakeholders, including timely follow-ups and clear messaging.
• Data Management & Reporting: Accuracy and thoroughness in maintaining records, analyzing trends, and presenting data to inform decisions.
• Professional Growth: Engagement in ongoing professional development and contribution to enrollment management best practices.
• Adaptability & Problem Solving: Ability to navigate challenges and demonstrate creativity in refining recruitment strategies.

Feedback will be provided through regular check-ins, annual reviews, and collaborative goal-setting sessions.

Salary

• Salary Range $65,000-$95,000. 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?”