Admissions Director & Parent Relations

Admissions Director & Parent Relations

Position Title: Admissions Director
Reports To: Head of School
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Aurora School, 40 Dulwich Road, Oakland, CA 94618 Position Type: Full-time, Year-round

Salary Range: $80,000-$140,000 Start Date: June or July 1, 2025

Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.

About Aurora School

Aurora School is an independent, progressive K-8 school that fosters its students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Our nurturing and inclusive community encourages creativity, critical thinking, and academic exploration while preparing students to become responsible global citizens.

Position Overview

The Admissions Director is a senior leadership position responsible for managing the entire admission process, including financial assistance and parent relations. This role focuses on recruiting new families and retaining current families, ensuring that Aurora fulfills its mission, increasing enrollment to full capacity, and then maintaining 100% enrollment annually. Additionally, the Admissions Director plays a key role in strategic marketing, enhancing the school’s visibility in the community, and supporting the academic and social development of the school. This position also includes oversight of administrative/board and parent committees.

Key Responsibilities Admission Strategy & Leadership

Develop and execute an annual admissions strategy in alignment with the school’s goals, priorities, and diversity initiatives.
Manage the entire admissions cycle: outreach, applications, interviews, assessments, and decision-making.
Lead enrollment efforts to achieve a balanced and diverse student body.
Build and maintain relationships with local communities, feeder schools, and educational organizations.
Monitor and analyze enrollment metrics, adjusting strategy as needed to meet enrollment goals.
Provide regular reports to the Head of School and Board of Trustees on enrollment trends and challenges.

Recruitment & Marketing
Collaborate with the Communications and Marketing Director to develop marketing materials (brochures, viewbooks, and digital content).
Attend educational fairs, conferences, and events to represent the school and build relationships with prospective families.
Coordinate outreach activities such as open houses, school tours, preschool visits, and parent education nights.
Develop and maintain partnerships with local preschools and feeder schools, and foster relationships with surrounding independent schools.

Family Engagement & Communication
Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective families throughout the admissions process.
Lead campus tours and information sessions, providing insight into the school’s academic and social culture.
Create and maintain effective communication with prospective families, ensuring transparency throughout the admission process.
Ensure clear communication with current families regarding re-enrollment and any changes in policies or procedures related to enrollment.

Parent Relations & Community Building
Manage parent relations, including outreach, event planning, and fostering a strong school community.
Supervise parent committees/volunteers for non-fundraising events and oversee the Traffic Safety Committee.
Orchestrate Middle School orientation for new families and regularly check in with families throughout the year.
Coordinate with room parents, provide family correspondence, and address any concerns from families.
Support school fundraisers and contribute to the weekly “Tuesday Tell All” communication.

Re-enrollment & Retention
• Promote retention
Oversee the re-enrollment process for existing families, ensuring timely distribution and return of contracts.
Conduct exit interviews with families not returning to Aurora to assess reasons for departure.
Work with the Flexible Tuition Committee to manage financial assistance and tuition policies.
Organize and communicate moving-up tours for families transitioning between grade levels.
Address concerns of families applying to other schools to ensure retention. Outplacement
Cultivate and maintain relationships with local independent high schools for student outplacement.
Meet with families of 8th-grade students to discuss high school options and guide them through the application process.
Ensure all 8th-grade students are enrolled at a high school and assist with application materials.

School Events & Alumni Relations
Attend and contribute to school events, such as Tinker Faire and Friends and Family Day.
Support alumni events and initiatives to foster long-term relationships with the school community.
Co-host and attend Parent Education events to support ongoing parent engagement.

Qualifications Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
At least 3 years of experience in an independent school or higher education admissions role.
Proven track record of successful enrollment management and strategy development.

Skills & Abilities
• Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the admissions process.
Experience with database management systems (e.g., Ravenna, Clarity) and other relevant tools for admissions and record-keeping.
Comfort with public speaking and presenting to groups of varying sizes.

Personal Attributes
Warm, approachable, and student-centered, with a passion for supporting families in their search for the right educational fit.
A self-starter, creative, results-driven, and strategic.
Deep commitment to Aurora’s mission and values and a desire to share those with others.
Highly ethical and professional, with a strong sense of integrity and confidentiality.