Head of Admissions - Dunottar School

Job Summary: To lead the School’s admissions strategy in order to attract and grow pupil numbers at Dunottar and deliver on admissions targets 

Reporting to: Headmaster 

Dunottar School have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join our Admissions and Marketing team as Head of Admissions.  

The Head of Admissions is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and plays a key role in shaping and leading the admissions strategy of Dunottar School. 

Members of SMT have broad operational and strategic responsibility for the management of their specific area of responsibility at the School and for its development and as such are expected to have expert knowledge in their area of responsibility and to apply this knowledge to contribute to   planning, policy and the wider development of school strategy.

He or she will keep the Head informed of any significant issues relating to the admissions landscape in the independent school sector and geographically in the local area. 

The Head of Admissions oversees all aspects of admissions and pupil recruitment and directs the admissions process from enquiry through enrolment. He or she is responsible for ensuring the admissions experience is of the highest standard and reflects the collaborative aims and ethos of the school from initial enquiry through to final admissions decisions and beyond. The incumbent will lead a collaborative effort to develop and implement both short-term and long-term recruitment strategies to ensure the school meets enrolment objectives.  

The ideal candidate will be able to convey the ethos of Dunottar and be an ambassador for the school.  He/she should be proficient at managing data and making data-driven decisions, and be a flexible, creative and inspiring leader.  It is expected that the person will be able to show an excellent understanding of how pupil admissions works within a school context and an ability to be able to recruit pupils who will thrive at Dunottar and share our “Warrior Learner” behaviours.      

The successful candidate will have strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel) and a strong administrative and/or marketing background. The role requires excellent interpersonal, written and prioritisation skills with the ability to meet deadlines. Strong relationship building and customer service skills are essential. Experience in an educational setting and use of ISAMS and RS Admissions are desirable.

Key Responsibilities

The key areas of responsibility which attach to the position are set out below.  The list is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be expected to assume additional responsibilities as reasonably requested by the Headmaster.

Admissions strategy

• Implement an engagement programme with Dunottar School’s feeder schools to support the school’s recruitment programme.

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with feeder schools and create networking opportunities to increase new business 

• Ensure a dynamic, individualised and efficient response to all new leads

• Influence admissions decision makers on an individual, small, and large group basis 

• Build and maintain market intelligence on the independent day schools’ market and use this to inform the school’s recruitment strategies

• Represent the school and serve as the face of the school and broader community and with prospective families while communicating the mission

• Oversee and participate in the development of admissions materials, events and marketing practices

Admissions team leadership

• Lead the school’s recruitment programme for all pupils

• Lead and develop a communications plan with prospective families to move them from initial enquiry to enrolment

• Act as the primary point of contact for all prospects, leading and influencing families through the entry process to conversion and supporting with the induction process

• Provide leadership and vision to ensure that the school’s admissions practices and procedures are efficient, up to date, compliant and effectively implemented

• Meet regularly with the Headmaster to review applications and agree offers

• Ensure relevant departments have the academic and pastoral information to support the on-boarding process

• Liaise with the SENCo, as required, to discuss and implement a plan for any prospective students’ individual educational needs

• Engage and inform prospective parents and pupils about the ethos of Dunottar and the benefits of a Dunottar education in an informed yet authentic manner

• Represent the school at marketing events, including open events and feeder school information days

• Inspire the Dunottar School community to actively participate in admissions events including; open events, individual and group tours, student observations/testing/interview, parent to parent connections, and individual family conversations

• Manage parent and pupil expectations and deliver admissions decisions in a manner that is honest, caring, and diplomatic

• Project manage admission-related events including assessment days, interviews, scholarship applications, taster days and welcome/induction events

• Work with the Headmaster and Finance Manager to support the scholarship and financial support awards processes

Admissions administration

• Obtain and process all information required to complete the entry process

• Maintain data on ISAMS and RS Admissions relating to all prospective pupils

• Liaise with the Data Manager to produce reports for the Senior Leadership Team as required

• Oversee the selection process of new pupils 

• Organise all prospective family visits

• Maintain Dunottar School’s historic admissions statistics

• Manage admissions staff by providing clear communication regarding responsibilities, practices, and feedback

• Manage the admissions budget 

Hours of work: This role is full time, all year round. Working both during term time and during the school holidays is an integral part of the job in order to provide a timely and seamless admissions experience to all our prospective students and parents throughout the year.  There is an expectation to work some evenings and weekends and for flexibility in hours to meet the demands of this post.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be an energetic and enthusiastic team player who has a warm collaborative nature, positive energy and someone who is accessible and approachable at all levels.

They will possess superior organization and prioritization skills and will be self-motivated in the completion of his/her work. 

S/he will have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills including outstanding writing and public speaking skills and the ability to interact comfortably with a variety of people. This person will have a genuine empathy for prospective families and an awareness of the needs and sensitivities of parents, students and colleagues.

We are looking to appoint an individual with a customer service and marketing orientation, who can manage expectations and deliver admissions decisions in a manner that is honest, caring, and diplomatic.