Director of Admissions, Enrollment, and Outreach
Friends Community School, College Park, MD, United States
Director of Admissions, Enrollment, and Outreach
Role Type:
12-month, Full-Time
Department:
Senior Administration Reports to:
Head of School
Start Date:
July 1, 2026
Friends Community School (FCS), founded in 1986, is a progressive, co‑ed Quaker K-8 day school serving a diverse student body from the greater Washington, D.C. area. FCS’s LEED-certified building is situated on 17 acres surrounded by Greenbelt National Park, nine minutes from the University of Maryland, College Park, and thirty minutes from Washington, D.C.
Educators at FCS nurture lifelong learners, courageous risk takers, and joyous peacemakers through the expression of our commitments to Quakerism, Progressive Education, equity, and inclusion. Our progressive pedagogical approach emphasizes depth over breadth, creativity and innovation over memorization, and hands‑on collaborative projects over rote schoolwork. Our curriculum engages students in the exploration of values rooted in our Quaker Heritage – simplicity, peaceful conflict resolution, integrity, community, equality/equity, and stewardship – from a range of perspectives.
Job Summary
The Director of Admissions, Enrollment, and Outreach leads the strategic and operational efforts to attract, enroll, and retain a diverse community of families at FCS. They work closely with other administrators, teachers, and volunteers to generate and maintain interest in the school. The Director is responsible for managing the full admissions cycle, developing and implementing enrollment and marketing strategies, and cultivating relationships with prospective families. The Director ensures that all admissions and outreach efforts reflect the school’s values and communicate a clear, compelling understanding of the school’s program and culture.
Working closely with the Head of School and other school leaders, the Director monitors enrollment trends, analyzes data to inform strategy, and implements initiatives that support sustainable enrollment growth and retention. The Director oversees admissions events, campus visits, and family engagement throughout the inquiry and application process, ensuring that each prospective family experiences a welcoming, organized, high‑touch, and responsive process. The Director also partners closely with the Chief Financial Officer on the financial aid process for admitted students.
In addition, the Director leads outreach efforts to broaden awareness of the school within the surrounding community, builds partnerships with local organizations and feeder schools, and collaborates with advancement and communications staff to strengthen the school’s visibility and reputation. As a key member of the administrative team, the Director contributes to institutional planning related to enrollment, financial aid, and community engagement.
The Director of Admissions, Enrollment, and Outreach plays a vital role in shaping the school community by helping to enroll and support families who will thrive in and contribute to the life of the school. This position requires occasional evenings and weekends to support admission events and outreach activities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Admissions Management
Lead and manage all aspects of the admissions process from inquiry through enrollment for prospective students and families.
Develop and implement a strategic admissions plan aligned with the school’s mission and enrollment goals.
Coordinate application review, student visits/assessments, interviews, and admissions committee meetings.
Communicate admissions decisions and guide families through enrollment and onboarding.
Maintain accurate and confidential admissions records and ensure timely communication with applicants.
Enrollment Strategy and Data Management
Monitor enrollment trends and analyze admissions data to inform recruitment, marketing, and retention strategies.
Establish annual enrollment targets and track progress toward those goals.
Manage and maintain the admissions database and enrollment management systems.
Issue and monitor enrollment contracts for returning and accepted families.
Collaborate with the Head of School and business office on financial aid processes and enrollment forecasting.
Prospective Family Engagement
Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective families, providing timely and thoughtful communication throughout the admissions process.
Plan and host admissions events such as open houses, information sessions, and campus tours.
Coordinate student visits/assessments and hold parent/caregiver meetings/interviews for each applicant family.
Schedule, draft, and distribute all communications to prospective families, such as targeted outreach, newsletters, and admissions website content.
Ensure a welcoming, inclusive, high‑touch, and mission‑aligned experience for all prospective families.
Outreach and Community Engagement
Develop and implement marketing and outreach strategies to increase awareness of the school among prospective families and community partners.
Build relationships with feeder schools, early childhood programs, and community organizations.
Represent the school at community events, school fairs, and recruitment opportunities.
Identify opportunities to broaden the school’s reach and strengthen community partnerships.
Collaboration and Communication
Partner with the advancement teams to ensure consistent messaging and effective marketing of the school.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to support admissions programming and showcase the school’s academic program and community.
Provide regular updates to school leadership and the Board on admissions activity, enrollment projections, and trends.
Partner closely with other members of the Leadership Team to provide strategic thought partnership.
Manage a robust roster of parent and student admissions, events, and outreach volunteers, including solicitation, training, and ongoing guidance throughout the year.
Partner with a communications colleague to ensure timely and accurate communication with current and prospective families.
Strategic Leadership
Lead institutional planning related to enrollment growth, retention, and community diversity.
Evaluate and refine admissions and outreach practices to ensure they align with best practices and the school’s mission.
Develop and manage the admissions and outreach budget.
Supervise an admission staff member and collaborate closely with other colleagues and volunteers who are involved in admissions processes.
Sit on the Financial Aid Committee and partner with the Chief Financial Officer to award financial aid to families.
Along with the Chief Financial Officer, serve as a faculty liaison to the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Retention and Community Integration
Support efforts to retain enrolled families by monitoring enrollment patterns and gathering feedback from current families.
Work with school leadership to strengthen family engagement and ensure smooth transitions for incoming families entering the school community.
Manage onboarding of incoming families, including Orientation and other transition efforts.
Contribute to the FCS school‑wide community
Participate in weekly Meeting for Worship
Participate in scheduled school events such as Back‑to‑School Night
Qualifications Desired and/or Required
Advanced degree in education, communications, marketing, or a related field preferred.
Demonstrated experience in admissions, enrollment management, marketing, communications, or a related field, preferably in an independent or mission‑driven school environment.
Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills with the ability to connect authentically with prospective families, students, and community partners.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate the school’s mission, program, and values.
Experience planning and hosting events, presentations, or outreach initiatives.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Experience using admissions or enrollment management databases and CRM systems; proficiency with standard office and data management tools.
Demonstrated ability to analyze enrollment data and use insights to inform strategy and decision‑making.
Commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive school community and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and school leadership.
High level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information.
Experience in change management (preferred).
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support admissions events and outreach activities.
Commitment to Diversity
FCS is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school‑administered programs.
In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, we actively seek faculty and staff of varied backgrounds and encourage them to share their unique gifts to cultivate a rich educational experience. We strive to create a learning environment that exposes students to the value and breadth of differences, informs their perspective, and prepares them to shape the world.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
12-month, Full-Time
Department:
Senior Administration Reports to:
Head of School
Start Date:
July 1, 2026
Friends Community School (FCS), founded in 1986, is a progressive, co‑ed Quaker K-8 day school serving a diverse student body from the greater Washington, D.C. area. FCS’s LEED-certified building is situated on 17 acres surrounded by Greenbelt National Park, nine minutes from the University of Maryland, College Park, and thirty minutes from Washington, D.C.
Educators at FCS nurture lifelong learners, courageous risk takers, and joyous peacemakers through the expression of our commitments to Quakerism, Progressive Education, equity, and inclusion. Our progressive pedagogical approach emphasizes depth over breadth, creativity and innovation over memorization, and hands‑on collaborative projects over rote schoolwork. Our curriculum engages students in the exploration of values rooted in our Quaker Heritage – simplicity, peaceful conflict resolution, integrity, community, equality/equity, and stewardship – from a range of perspectives.
Job Summary
The Director of Admissions, Enrollment, and Outreach leads the strategic and operational efforts to attract, enroll, and retain a diverse community of families at FCS. They work closely with other administrators, teachers, and volunteers to generate and maintain interest in the school. The Director is responsible for managing the full admissions cycle, developing and implementing enrollment and marketing strategies, and cultivating relationships with prospective families. The Director ensures that all admissions and outreach efforts reflect the school’s values and communicate a clear, compelling understanding of the school’s program and culture.
Working closely with the Head of School and other school leaders, the Director monitors enrollment trends, analyzes data to inform strategy, and implements initiatives that support sustainable enrollment growth and retention. The Director oversees admissions events, campus visits, and family engagement throughout the inquiry and application process, ensuring that each prospective family experiences a welcoming, organized, high‑touch, and responsive process. The Director also partners closely with the Chief Financial Officer on the financial aid process for admitted students.
In addition, the Director leads outreach efforts to broaden awareness of the school within the surrounding community, builds partnerships with local organizations and feeder schools, and collaborates with advancement and communications staff to strengthen the school’s visibility and reputation. As a key member of the administrative team, the Director contributes to institutional planning related to enrollment, financial aid, and community engagement.
The Director of Admissions, Enrollment, and Outreach plays a vital role in shaping the school community by helping to enroll and support families who will thrive in and contribute to the life of the school. This position requires occasional evenings and weekends to support admission events and outreach activities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Admissions Management
Lead and manage all aspects of the admissions process from inquiry through enrollment for prospective students and families.
Develop and implement a strategic admissions plan aligned with the school’s mission and enrollment goals.
Coordinate application review, student visits/assessments, interviews, and admissions committee meetings.
Communicate admissions decisions and guide families through enrollment and onboarding.
Maintain accurate and confidential admissions records and ensure timely communication with applicants.
Enrollment Strategy and Data Management
Monitor enrollment trends and analyze admissions data to inform recruitment, marketing, and retention strategies.
Establish annual enrollment targets and track progress toward those goals.
Manage and maintain the admissions database and enrollment management systems.
Issue and monitor enrollment contracts for returning and accepted families.
Collaborate with the Head of School and business office on financial aid processes and enrollment forecasting.
Prospective Family Engagement
Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective families, providing timely and thoughtful communication throughout the admissions process.
Plan and host admissions events such as open houses, information sessions, and campus tours.
Coordinate student visits/assessments and hold parent/caregiver meetings/interviews for each applicant family.
Schedule, draft, and distribute all communications to prospective families, such as targeted outreach, newsletters, and admissions website content.
Ensure a welcoming, inclusive, high‑touch, and mission‑aligned experience for all prospective families.
Outreach and Community Engagement
Develop and implement marketing and outreach strategies to increase awareness of the school among prospective families and community partners.
Build relationships with feeder schools, early childhood programs, and community organizations.
Represent the school at community events, school fairs, and recruitment opportunities.
Identify opportunities to broaden the school’s reach and strengthen community partnerships.
Collaboration and Communication
Partner with the advancement teams to ensure consistent messaging and effective marketing of the school.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to support admissions programming and showcase the school’s academic program and community.
Provide regular updates to school leadership and the Board on admissions activity, enrollment projections, and trends.
Partner closely with other members of the Leadership Team to provide strategic thought partnership.
Manage a robust roster of parent and student admissions, events, and outreach volunteers, including solicitation, training, and ongoing guidance throughout the year.
Partner with a communications colleague to ensure timely and accurate communication with current and prospective families.
Strategic Leadership
Lead institutional planning related to enrollment growth, retention, and community diversity.
Evaluate and refine admissions and outreach practices to ensure they align with best practices and the school’s mission.
Develop and manage the admissions and outreach budget.
Supervise an admission staff member and collaborate closely with other colleagues and volunteers who are involved in admissions processes.
Sit on the Financial Aid Committee and partner with the Chief Financial Officer to award financial aid to families.
Along with the Chief Financial Officer, serve as a faculty liaison to the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Retention and Community Integration
Support efforts to retain enrolled families by monitoring enrollment patterns and gathering feedback from current families.
Work with school leadership to strengthen family engagement and ensure smooth transitions for incoming families entering the school community.
Manage onboarding of incoming families, including Orientation and other transition efforts.
Contribute to the FCS school‑wide community
Participate in weekly Meeting for Worship
Participate in scheduled school events such as Back‑to‑School Night
Qualifications Desired and/or Required
Advanced degree in education, communications, marketing, or a related field preferred.
Demonstrated experience in admissions, enrollment management, marketing, communications, or a related field, preferably in an independent or mission‑driven school environment.
Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills with the ability to connect authentically with prospective families, students, and community partners.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate the school’s mission, program, and values.
Experience planning and hosting events, presentations, or outreach initiatives.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Experience using admissions or enrollment management databases and CRM systems; proficiency with standard office and data management tools.
Demonstrated ability to analyze enrollment data and use insights to inform strategy and decision‑making.
Commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive school community and working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and school leadership.
High level of discretion and professionalism when handling confidential information.
Experience in change management (preferred).
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support admissions events and outreach activities.
Commitment to Diversity
FCS is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school‑administered programs.
In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, we actively seek faculty and staff of varied backgrounds and encourage them to share their unique gifts to cultivate a rich educational experience. We strive to create a learning environment that exposes students to the value and breadth of differences, informs their perspective, and prepares them to shape the world.
#J-18808-Ljbffr