Director of Admission Strategy

The Taft School; Watertown (CT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-campus housing

Housing stipend

Tuition assistance

Health insurance

Use of school facilities

Job summary

The Taft School in Watertown, CT seeks a Director of Admission Strategy to lead strategic recruitment, communications, and market planning. This senior role translates enrollment priorities into targeted recruitment, travel, and engagement initiatives across the admission cycle.

You will supervise the admission team, analyze enrollment data, coordinate Slate-based communications, and partner with Financial Aid and Strategic Engagement to optimize yield and expand Taft's reach.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in admissions; independent school experience preferred.
• Experience with Slate and Veracross strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and Taft's mission and values.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and travel during peak admissions periods.
• Authorized to work in the United States of America and have a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate annual recruitment and travel strategy.
• Monitor enrollment trends and develop reporting to measure progress toward goals.
• Guide admission communications across the prospective-family journey and use Slate for tracking.
• Develop strategies to strengthen conversion and yield throughout the admission funnel.
• Lead and coordinate strategic admission initiatives and project teams.
• Represent the school at fairs, visits, and recruitment events; participate in admission committees.
• Collaborate with faculty and campus partners to support enrollment and engagement.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Time management

Equity & inclusion

Tools

Slate

Veracross

Job description

The Director of Admission Strategy serves as a senior member of the admission team responsible for developing and coordinating recruitment strategy, admission communications, and market planning. The position helps translate the school's enrollment priorities into focused recruitment strategies designed to strengthen the applicant pool, expand Taft's reach, and improve engagement and yield throughout the admission process.

The position oversees recruitment planning and travel strategy, monitors enrollment and market trends, helps guide admission communications, and uses data to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment efforts. The Director of Admission Strategy reports to the Director of Enrollment and works closely with the other members of the enrollment leadership team to identify opportunities, establish priorities, and coordinate strategies across the admission cycle.

The position plays a leading role in strengthening the strategic and data-informed work of the Admission Office while supporting broader enrollment, outreach, and engagement efforts across the school.

Primary Responsibilities

Recruitment and Market Strategy

• Develop and coordinate annual recruitment and travel strategy.
• Identify priority and emerging recruitment markets aligned with enrollment goals.
• Help establish recruitment priorities across territories, travel, fairs, school visits, and other initiatives.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment efforts and recommend adjustments to markets, travel, and resources.

Enrollment Data and Analysis

• Monitor application, admission, enrollment, and yield trends.
• Develop reporting and analysis to measure progress toward enrollment goals.
• Use data and market intelligence to identify opportunities and inform recruitment strategy.

Admission Communications

• Help develop communication strategy across the prospective-family journey, from initial engagement through enrollment.
• Coordinate segmented communication strategies for prospects, inquiries, applicants, and admitted students.
• Help guide the strategic use of Slate for communication, segmentation, personalization, and engagement tracking.

Applicant Development and Yield

• Identify opportunities to strengthen conversion throughout the admission funnel.
• Develop strategies to increase applications from priority populations and markets.
• Help coordinate recruitment and yield strategies for priority applicants.
• Analyze enrollment decisions and competitive outcomes to inform future recruitment efforts.

Team Leadership and Strategic Initiatives

• Supervise admission team members whose responsibilities support recruitment, communications, data, and market development.
• Lead and coordinate strategic admission initiatives and project teams.
• Collaborate with Admission Operations, Financial Aid, and Strategic Engagement and Global Outreach to ensure alignment across enrollment priorities.

Recruitment and Admission Responsibilities

• Assume travel responsibilities in support of recruitment efforts.
• Represent the school at fairs, school visits, and recruitment events.
• Interview prospective students and families, read applications, and participate in admission committees.

Faculty & Community Responsibilities

• Participate fully in faculty life at a residential boarding school. Faculty responsibilities for this role include a combination of advising, evening and weekend duty, seated dinners, and one season of co-curricular programs, as assigned in coordination with the Director of Enrollment.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support enrolled students and a positive enrollment experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience in admissions; independent school experience preferred.
• Experience in databases such as Slate and Veracross strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and Taft's mission and values.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and travel during peak admissions periods.
• Authorized to work in the United States of America and have a valid driver's license

Portrait of an Educator Alignment

• Strive for Wisdom – Continuously seek feedback, reflection, and collaboration to deepen their knowledge and enhance practice.
• Find Joy in Purpose – Draw inspiration from meaningful connections with students, colleagues, and the school's mission.
• Nurture Relationships – Foster empathy, inclusion, and a sense of belonging through authentic, caring relationships.
• Build Resilience – Approach challenges with adaptability, creativity, and balance between personal and professional well-being.
• Practice Humility – Embrace feedback, acknowledge limitations, and view learning as a lifelong process.
• Pursue Excellence – Nurture all dimensions of human flourishing by upholding high standards, seeking out and providing mentorship, and
• striving for improvement.
• Live with Honor – Act with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to the community’s shared values.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $100,000 - $120,000 annually. The actual starting salary will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and other appropriate considerations.

Benefits:

Eligible employees may receive a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• On-campus housing (or a housing stipend)
• Tuition assistance and educational benefits, where applicable
• Use of school facilities, including the grounds, athletics center, and dining hall

Interview Timeline:

• November: First and second round of interviews
• January: Finalist Campus Visits
• February: Appointment anticipated
• July 1, 2027: Start date

The Taft School is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or Connecticut law.