Director of Admission Strategy

The Director of Admission Strategy serves as a senior member of the admission team responsible for developing and coordinating recruitment strategy, admission communications, and market planning. The position helps translate the school’s enrollment priorities into focused recruitment strategies designed to strengthen the applicant pool, expand Taft’s reach, and improve engagement and yield throughout the admission process.

The position oversees recruitment planning and travel strategy, monitors enrollment and market trends, helps guide admission communications, and uses data to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment efforts. The Director of Admission Strategy reports to the Director of Enrollment and works closely with the other members of the enrollment leadership team to identify opportunities, establish priorities, and coordinate strategies across the admission cycle.

The position plays a leading role in strengthening the strategic and data-informed work of the Admission Office while supporting broader enrollment, outreach, and engagement efforts across the school.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate annual recruitment and travel strategy.
• Identify priority and emerging recruitment markets aligned with enrollment goals.
• Help establish recruitment priorities across territories, travel, fairs, school visits, and other initiatives.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment efforts and recommend adjustments to markets, travel, and resources.
• Monitor application, admission, enrollment, and yield trends.
• Develop reporting and analysis to measure progress toward enrollment goals.
• Use data and market intelligence to identify opportunities and inform recruitment strategy.
• Help develop communication strategy across the prospective-family journey, from initial engagement through enrollment.
• Coordinate segmented communication strategies for prospects, inquiries, applicants, and admitted students.
• Help guide the strategic use of Slate for communication, segmentation, personalization, and engagement tracking.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen conversion throughout the admission funnel.
• Develop strategies to increase applications from priority populations and markets.
• Help coordinate recruitment and yield strategies for priority applicants.
• Analyze enrollment decisions and competitive outcomes to inform future recruitment efforts.
• Supervise admission team members whose responsibilities support recruitment, communications, data, and market development.
• Lead and coordinate strategic admission initiatives and project teams.
• Collaborate with Admission Operations, Financial Aid, and Strategic Engagement and Global Outreach to ensure alignment across enrollment priorities.
• Assume travel responsibilities in support of recruitment efforts.
• Represent the school at fairs, school visits, and recruitment events.
• Interview prospective students and families, read applications, and participate in admission committees.
• Participate fully in faculty life at a residential boarding school. Faculty responsibilities for this role include a combination of advising, evening and weekend duty, seated dinners, and one season of co-curricular programs, as assigned in coordination with the Director of Enrollment. 
• Collaborate with campus partners to support enrolled students and a positive enrollment experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in admissions; independent school experience preferred.
• Experience in databases such as Slate and Veracross strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and Taft’s mission and values.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and travel during peak admissions periods.
• Authorized to work in the United States of America and have a valid driver’s license 

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $100,000 - $120,000 annually. The actual starting salary will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and other appropriate considerations.

Benefits: Eligible employees may receive a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan contributions
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Professional development support
• On-campus housing (or a housing stipend) 
• Tuition assistance and educational benefits, where applicable
• Use of school facilities, including the grounds, athletics center, and dining hall