Dunottar School - Admissions Manager

Dunottar is a co-educational school for pupils aged 11-18 set in extensive grounds of 15 acres on the outskirts of Reigate. Under the Headship of Mark Tottman, the school is on a very exciting journey having won the prestigious Education Business Award for the ‘Outstanding Progress – UK Independent Schools’ category 2019. Dunottar is experiencing fast growth in pupil numbers and to accommodate this expansion, we have recently completed a £6.6 million capital development programme to build a new Sixth Form Centre and Assembly Hall/Performing Arts Centre.

Dunottar is a great place to work, with a team of highly professional and committed teachers and support staff. We incorporate best practice from independent schools and academies right across the United Learning Group, whilst retaining our unique, friendly ethos in Reigate where pupils are nurtured to make significant personal progress at the same time as achieving excellent academic results. United Learning is an outstanding organisation which prides itself on providing a working and learning environment which encourages ‘the best in everyone’. You will join a network of staff belonging to over 90 other schools, with opportunities to engage with fellow professionals which far exceed what one school could achieve on its own. Personal development and career opportunities are excellent. They will also play an active role in the extensive and varied co-curricular program, both during the working week and some weekends.

Job Summary: The Admissions Manager will be a member of the Admissions and Marketing Department working collaboratively to recruit new pupils to Dunottar from initial enquiry to enrolment.

Reporting to: Head of Admissions

Working Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week) during term time + out of term time working to be agreed at interview.

Overview

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

Dunottar School has seen rapid growth in recent years and this key appointment will ensure the school continues to attract families and pupils who value, share and embrace our Warrior Learner behaviours.

Our main intake at Dunottar is in Year 7, with a smaller intake in Year 12, and as Admissions Manager you will focus efforts on both of these areas. You will need to establish and maintain relationships with our key feeder schools, whilst continually working with the Head of Admissions to explore new and exciting ways of attracting a diverse range of pupils to Dunottar School.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Admissions to deliver across all aspects of the school’s admissions cycle to meet or exceed conversion targets.
• Act as an ambassador for the school to promote our Warrior Learner ethos, understanding the local market and the requirements of prospective parents and pupils.
• Monitor and respond promptly to incoming enquiries and registrations and maintain the accuracy of the admissions database.
• Provide a personal, engaging and professional experience for parents and pupils throughout the admissions cycle.
• Support the planning and successful implementation of Open Mornings, Taster Days, Entrance and Scholarship Assessments as well as Induction Days.
• Work closely with the Head of Admissions in collating entrance assessment data and preparing parent communications.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with our feeder schools. Co-ordinate outreach activities and generate new ideas for opportunities to engage with feeder schools.
• Work closely with the Marketing team regarding messaging on our website and external advertising to generate new enquiries.
• Liaise closely with the Head of Learning Support regarding pupils with SEN.

Professional Skills and Behaviours

• A team player who has a warm collaborative nature, positive energy, and a sense of humour.
• Superior organization and prioritisation skills, with excellent attention to detail and strong communication skills.
• Self-motivated in the completion of his/her work.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to deliver an engaging, approachable, and outstanding customer experience.
• Able to be an effective outward facing ambassador for the school, building excellent relationships with our prospective parents, pupils, and feeder schools.
• An enthusiasm for contributing new ideas.
• A genuine empathy for prospective families and an awareness of the need for confidentiality and the sensitivities of parents and pupils.
• Able to manage expectations and deliver admissions decisions in a manner that is honest, caring, and diplomatic.
• Have a flexible approach to hours and duties (for example two assessment days are held on Saturdays).
• A positive attitude to continuous personal development.

Preferred Experience

• An understanding of the principles, practices and cycle of recruitment and admissions in an independent school.
• Previous experience of working in an independent senior school.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite of applications and data management systems.
• Experience of working in a busy environment and meeting challenging targets
• Commercial awareness and knowledge and understanding of customer relationship management.

Remuneration



 As part of United Learning, we offer competitive salaries, pension scheme, fee reduction for staff children, lunch during term time, access to sports facilities and an extensive range of benefits via a United Learning Rewards Scheme.

The United Learning pay scale for this role is: £28,213 to £40,398 FTE. Actual pay will be determined by the number of out of term time working weeks to be agreed at interview.

The role is full time (37.5 hours per week) during term time + out of term time working to be agreed at interview. There is an expectation to work some weekends and for flexibility in hours to meet the demands of this post.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and the post holder may perform other duties reasonably required by the Headmaster. The organisation reserves the right to alter the content of this job description after consultation to reflect changes to the job or services provided, without altering the general character or level of responsibility.