Director of Enrollment Management

The Northwest School; California; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

403(b) retirement plan

On-site fitness

Job summary

The Northwest School in Seattle seeks a full-time Director of Enrollment Management to lead recruitment, admissions, retention, financial aid, and planning.

Reporting to the Head of School, this role shapes a mission-driven enrollment strategy, expands access, and strengthens the community. The position starts July 1, 2026 and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Ideal candidates bring data-informed leadership, collaborative spirit, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least seven years in admissions or enrollment management.
• Proven success in strategic enrollment initiatives.
• Experience recruiting from diverse and underrepresented communities.
• Fluency with enrollment CRM systems, databases, and analytics.

Responsibilities

• Strategic enrollment leadership aligning with mission and multi-year targets.
• Lead and manage all admissions cycles including Early, Middle, Upper, and International.
• Recruit, orient, and guide admissions committees; collaborate with division directors.
• Develop retention strategies and monitor enrollment trends.
• Inspire and develop a team of two to three admissions professionals.
• Partner with Marketing to create admissions publications and campaigns.
• Engage feeder schools and international recruitment networks.
• Present data-driven reports to leadership and Board.

Skills

Strategic enrollment leadership

Admissions management

Data analysis

Team leadership

Marketing & communications

Stakeholder collaboration

Diversity & inclusion focus

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Enrollment CRM systems

Analytics platforms

Spreadsheets

Job description

CategoryEducation## DescriptionThe Northwest School is an independent day and boarding school serving students in grades 6–12 on an urban campus in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. As Seattle’s only day and boarding school, Northwest offers a distinctive educational experience that combines rigorous academics with experiential, interdisciplinary learning in a vibrant city setting.Our liberal arts program nurtures compassionate, globally aware, and environmentally conscious students who find joy in learning and are prepared to engage thoughtfully and creatively in an interconnected world. Northwest is a warm, inclusive community grounded in shared values and a deep commitment to belonging. We believe diversity strengthens our school and are dedicated to building a faculty and student body that reflects the broader society. We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.Position SummaryThe Northwest School seeks a full-time Director of Enrollment Management to provide strategic leadership for recruitment, admissions, retention, financial aid, and enrollment planning. Reporting to the Head of School and serving on the Senior Leadership Team, the Director plays a central role in positioning Northwest as a school of choice locally, nationally, and internationally, leveraging the school’s unique identity as Seattle’s only day and boarding school.The next Director of Enrollment will have a unique opportunity to shape and bring to life a mission-driven enrollment strategy that ensures long-term sustainability, broadens access, and enriches the vitality of the community. The position is available July 1, 2026.**Essential Functions**Strategic Enrollment Leadership* Partner with the Head of School and senior leadership to advance the mission, vision, and long-term strategic priorities of the institution.* Design, implement, and continuously refine a transparent and data-informed enrollment strategy aligned with institutional priorities and multi-year enrollment targets that integrate recruitment, retention, financial aid, and demographic forecasting.* Analyze admissions funnel data (inquiries, applicants, admits, yield, retention) to guide decision-making and improve outcomes with the goal of increasing the top of the funnel and ultimately overall enrollment of mission-aligned families.* Position The Northwest School effectively in a competitive market, highlighting its distinctive identity as Seattle’s only day and boarding school.* Perform other strategic duties as needed.---Admissions Program & Operations* Design and lead a mission-driven admissions program that clearly communicates the school’s philosophy, culture, and strategic priorities to prospective families.* Lead and manage all admissions cycles—Early Application, Middle School, Upper School, and International, inclusive of Boarding—with clarity, consistency, and integrity.* Recruit, orient, and guide Middle School, Upper School, and International Admissions Committees; ensure thoughtful, holistic review of applicants.* Collaborate with division directors on admissions protocols, including interviews, class visits, and signature admissions events.---Retention & Community Sustainability* Develop and implement retention strategies in collaboration with division directors and student support teams.* Monitor enrollment and attrition trends, and market dynamics to identify patterns and recommend proactive interventions.* Develop and implement targeted strategies at key transition points with emphasis on entry grades and progression from Middle to Upper School.---Team Leadership & Collaboration* Inspire, supervise, and develop a team of two to three admissions professionals, including one Associate Director and one Assistant Director.* Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture grounded in shared purpose and continuous improvement.---Marketing, Communications & Outreach* Partner with the Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications to create compelling admissions publications, digital content, and marketing materials.* Oversee admissions-related website content and contribute to integrated marketing strategies across digital, social media, and print platforms.* Build and sustain strong relationships with feeder schools, educational consultants, and community partners throughout the greater Seattle area.* Collaborate with the Director of Global Outreach and Programs on international recruitment and enrollment, with the goal of diversifying our international student population.* Serve as an active school representative at the regional and national level with participation in programs sponsored by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), Puget Sound Independent Schools (PSIS), Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP), and the Enrollment Management Association (EMA), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), and other mission-aligned organizations.---Financial Aid, Data & Governance* Work closely with the Director of Finance and Operations and the Financial Aid Specialist to strategically leverage approximately $4+M in operating and endowment-funded tuition assistance.* Manage the admissions operating budget.* Analyze enrollment data and market trends; prepare and present reports to school leadership and, as needed, the Board of Trustees.* Attend monthly Board of Trustees meetings and selected committee meetings.---Community Engagement* Serve as an active ambassador of The Northwest School by participating in the life of the school, including athletic and arts events, faculty committees, student activities, and special initiatives.* Attend all monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees, as well as select Committee meetings (e.g., Finance, Communications & Marketing).## Qualifications**Minimum Qualifications*** Demonstrated commitment to the school’s mission, values, and philosophy, especially related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, environmental sustainability, and global perspective.* Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible admissions or enrollment management experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).* Proven record of success in developing and executing strategic enrollment initiatives.* Demonstrated experience recruiting and enrolling students from diverse and underrepresented communities.* Expertise in local and national enrollment trends in independent schools and fluency with policies and practices in financial aid.* Demonstrated experience utilizing strategic thinking and comfort analyzing data and translating insights into action.* Innovative and adaptive; comfortable with change and growth.* Fluency with enrollment CRM systems, database tools, spreadsheets, and analytics platforms.* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.* Ability to build trust and foster teamwork.**Physical Demands:*** Ability to lift to 25 pounds in connection with job duties, such as assisting with setup or moving materials.* Ability to stand, sit, and move comfortably on campus for extended periods.* Ability to climb stairs and navigate uneven surfaces as needed between locations within and outside school buildings.* Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including inclement weather.* Evening and weekend work may be required at times.---Compensation & BenefitsThe salary range is $150,000 - $180,000, based on education and years of experience. This is a 1.0 FTE benefits eligible position. The Northwest School offers a comprehensive benefits package, including fully paid employee medical, dental, long-term disability, and life and accident insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with up to 6% employer match after one year; generous time off; daily lunch; on-site fitness facility; robust professional development support; and the opportunity