Admissions Manager

The Admissions Manager will be responsible for growing the number of students in our school(s). This will be driven by delivering a distinctive, market leading and ‘surprising and delightful’ customer experience.

They will need to establish and inculcate a sales culture and mindset throughout the school starting with the school leadership and admission teams. Ensure the whole school understand their part in the organisations growth strategy through clear communication and interpersonal relationships.

Overall growth requires focus on both enrolments and retention of existing students

Key Responsibilities will include, (but not limited to):

• Take responsibility for all aspects of the school’s admissions process and pipeline management with a view to optimising conversion at every stage of the pipeline, whilst supporting school teams to ensure retention levels are as high as possible
• Ensure a retention approach exists for all ‘transition points’ within the school
• Regular reporting & forecasting of data with accompanying insights and actions
• Ensure the digital admissions experience is complemented by excellent follow up to provide a first class service for prospective parents.
• Take the lead on conversion events including personal tours, open mornings
• Ensure our global minimum standards for admissions are met (or exceeded)
• Act as a key brand ambassador for the school, understanding the local market, the school’s value proposition, appreciating the needs of parents and pupils
• Develop stretching annual enrolment targets (in conjunction with the Head of Marketing & Admissions and the Head of the school)
• Regularly monitor feedback generated through various mediums (mystery shop, online chat, WhatsApp, Voice of the Parent admissions surveys, et al); and take action to improve the admissions service based on customer insight
• Ensure a fast and quality response to individual parent feedback is given and in line with our published minimum standards
• Build relationships with feeder schools, estate agents, relocation agents, key partners, affiliates and influencers in the local community to support enrolments
• Work closely with the overseas recruitment team and ensure compliance on visas and immigration, regulatory inspections and reporting to the local authority
• Support the Admissions & Marketing team to deliver first class customer experience to internal and external customers/colleagues
• Lead the relations hip with external agency’s (estate agents, clubs, associations etc)
• Ensure that the department is always appropriately resourced
• Maintain a close and effective working relationship with other key colleagues including the School Operations Manager and SLT, the teaching community and support staff. As well as the POD team, SSC or SCP

The ideal candidate will have:

• Be a nice person who is immediately likeable and can relate easily to others
• Enjoys and is energised by interacting with others
• Able to operate with autonomy and authority – should have good gravitas
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to deal with people on all levels with sensitivity, tact and diplomacy
• High level of numeracy and the ability to understand, manipulate and interrogate data to understand patterns, trends and gain commercial insight
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and work well within a team
• First class organisational and administrative skills
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and work to tight deadlines; systematic approach to tasks, with attention to detail
• Confident and adept in use of Microsoft applications e.g. Word, Excel and various database systems
• Good levels of accuracy & attention to detail with own and others tasks
• Overall successful track record but with failures along the way
• Prior experience of managing direct customer contact ideally in sales and customer service
• Previous experience of working in a complex, busy, service-driven environment
• Experience in use of customer database, customer relationship management tools and digital/online platforms
• An understanding of the highly competitive schools marketplace would be an advantage

Diversity and Inclusion:

We believe having a diverse workforce makes us better, smarter and happier and so welcome applicants from all backgrounds, genders, and races. We have an unwavering commitment to being fair, inclusive and equitable in our recruitment process.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• To comply with safeguarding policies, procedures and code of conduct

• To demonstrate a personal commitment to safeguarding & student/colleague wellbeing

• To ensure that safeguarding concerns or incidents are reported appropriately in line with policy

• To engage in safeguarding training when required

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Cognita is committed to preserving and promoting equality of opportunity in all aspects of the conduct of its business.

No member of staff or any applicant for employment with Cognita will be discriminated against, harassed or victimised because of their personal characteristics. Cognita expects all staff to comply with the letter and the spirit of its policy.

How to Apply:

If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply by submitting an application.

Applicants must submit a completed Cognita application form. All applications should be submitted to recruitment@cognita.com by 5.00pm on Wednesday 15th February 2023.