Independent Schools of Saint Louis

Director of Admissions Ursuline Academy

The Director of Admissions reports to the Principal and has as her/his priority generating the maximum enrollment of students appropriate for Ursuline Academy.  He/she shall be responsible for marketing to and recruiting prospective students/families, through events and online strategies.The Directors of Admissions and Enrollment are expected to work together and provide support to one another during times of high activity in each area. Generally, the Director of Admissions focuses on attracting prospective families and keeping them engaged with Ursuline prior to the decision to attend and the Director of Enrollment takes the lead once the decision to apply is made. The admissions team, consisting of the President, Principal, Director of Admissions, Director of Enrollment and Communications Coordinator, works in a collaborative manner.

 

Specifically, the Director of Admissions is responsible for the following:

 

Faith and Mission

  • Ensures that the Catholic identity of the Academy is developed and nurtured

  • Models and promotes the Mission of the Academy

 

Admissions Outreach

  • Works with co-workers, Director of Enrollment, Principal, and President to develop and implement a dynamic plan, including specific outreach/event/ enrollment goals, targeting students in 6/7/8 grade.

  • Manages and optimizes the Finalsite Enrollment Management System to support admissions workflows, improve data accuracy, and enhance the overall enrollment experience for prospective families.

  • Utilizes internal and external data sources to develop marketing strategies and report/analyze outcomes of strategies. 

  • Develops, trains, and supervises a team of student ambassadors to represent the Academy to prospective students and the community through external presentations,events, and shadow visits.

  • Works with prospective families to secure participation in shadow program and recruitment activities utilizing online resources and personal contact, always with a focus on customer services. 

  • Plans and oversees coordination of all campus recruitment activities, including Open House, Bear for a Day, Ursuline Experience Night, fairs and other events as needed. 

  • Leads collaboration with all co-workers to develop ideas for a successful annual open house (and other events) and effectively executes events.

  • Cultivates community awareness of the Academy and promotes good relationships with Catholic/public/private schools.

  • Plans and oversees summer camp programs targeting middle school students from across the St. Louis metropolitan area.

  • Represents the Academy to prospective families at archdiocesan high school recruitment events.

 

Public Relations and Marketing

  • Works with Marketing Coordinator to develop marketing materials and update electronic communications/social media to promote the Academy to prospective students, parents, parishes, and the community.

  • Initiates activities intended to interest parents and prospective students in offerings of the Academy.

  • Cultivates parent relationships to assist in representing the Academy to the broader community.

  • Develops constituent relationships.

 

In Other Dimensions

  • Keeps abreast of current admission/recruitment developments, strategies, and tools through professional reading and training.

  • Stays up-to-date with current developments in Catholic education.

  • In collaboration with the Principal  and the Director of Enrollment, prepares and monitors the admissions/enrollment accounts for the annual budget.

  • Serves in a supporting role for co-workers in their absence and performs other related duties as necessary.

  • Maintains appropriate and complete records.  

  • Designs and/or updates a procedural manual for his/her position.

  • Accepts additional responsibilities as directed by the Principal and President.

 

Key skills

  • Bachelor’s degree required

  • 3-5 years professional experience in a sales or marketing role, ideally in an academic/admissions environment

  • Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills

  • Ability to relate to prospective students and parents

  • Ability to conceptualize and execute innovative approaches based upon data and trends

  • Exceptional organizational and time management skills

  • Effective collaborator, able to work across multiple departments

  • Marketing and social media knowledge