The director of enrollment management will lead the strategic and operational components of enrollment management; develop the research and analyze the data necessary to inform enrollment-related decisions; and direct student recruitment, retention, and enrollment efforts. The director is responsible for outreach to prospective families and the enrollment and re-enrollment of a mission-aligned student body. The director serves as the external face of The Whitfield School’s enrollment efforts and works with all constituencies to inspire community-based outreach.
The director of enrollment management reports to the head of school, acts as a member of the Administrative Team and the Advancement Leadership Team, and leads the Admission Office.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Design and implement annual admission and enrollment goals and strategies that are informed by data analytics and market research and that align with Whitfield’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities;
Deliver strategic thought-leadership in admission, marketing, and recruitment;
Ensure the continued academic, athletic, and co-curricular excellence of the School’s student body through recruitment, enrollment, and retention practices informed by the School’s strategic priorities;
Develop and monitor key performance indicators for recruitment, enrollment, and retention, sharing insights and actionable recommendations to the advancement leadership team;
Foster a school-wide enrollment management culture by engaging all stakeholders (faculty, staff, senior leadership, trustees, coaches, current and past parents, et al.) in the process of attracting and retaining mission-appropriate students;
Provide counsel and serve as a resource to academic leadership in program development that will resonate in the local marketplace and position Whitfield as the school of choice for experiential and forward-looking college preparatory education in St. Louis; and
Attend Board of Trustees meetings, and keep the Board fully apprised of the School’s admission and enrollment efforts.
Admission Office and Operations
Direct the process of attracting, selecting, and enrolling mission-appropriate students, ensuring a smooth experience for applicants and their families, and sustaining and enhancing the School’s position in the St. Louis marketplace;
Coordinate and lead recruitment and retention initiatives, including all Admission events, campus visits, feeder school outreach, and prospective family communications and engagement;
Lead and manage the Admission team, including recruiting, hiring, training, developing goals for, and evaluating team members;
Maintain and interpret admission, enrollment, and retention statistics to track trends, create enrollment and net tuition projections, and support the School's strategic initiatives; and
Oversee the admission information management software, the online application and submission of materials, and testing administration and logistics.
Teams and Collaborations
Collaborate with the head of school, the director of finance and operations, and the financial aid committee to manage the tuition assistance program, leveraging financial aid and merit-based scholarships to attract and retain a talented student body while achieving net tuition revenue targets;
Collaborate with the director of communications and marketing to develop communication and marketing strategy that will attract mission-appropriate students and enhance Whitfield’s position in the marketplace, including the effective use of social media and other online tools, and production of all admission marketing materials, including the Admission section of the School’s website;
Collaborate with the Business Office to manage new student enrollment and the re-enrollment process for current students;
Coordinate with the assistant head of school and other senior leaders on the new family experience, ensuring that newly enrolled students and their families have a seamless and positive experience through a student’s first year and beyond;
Serve as a member of the Administrative Team; and
Serve as a member of the Advancement Leadership Team.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced, entrepreneurial, customer-focused leader who has the following qualities and experience:
Experience as a school leader or administrator, preferably in an independent school;
Knowledgeable about best practices in enrollment management and admission;
Five to seven years working experience in a school setting or equivalent experience;
Experience working with students across ages and stages of development preferred;
Demonstrated success setting expectations for professionalism, accountability, and collegiality.
Interested candidates should submit the Whitfield Application for Employment form (click here) which includes submitting the following PDF files through the application:
A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
A current and thorough résumé of no more than four pages;
A writing sample, such as a parent/guardian communication, newsletter, open house speech, blog, or article;
Contact information for five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to:
Whitfield actively seeks to forward the equity and diversity of our community in our admissions, programming, policies, and hiring. We do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, age, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, disability status, protected veteran status, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Whitfield School is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage all candidates to apply.
The Whitfield School, an independent, non-sectarian, coeducational day school for grades 6-12, is located in St. Louis, Missouri. Known for its personalized approach to education, Whitfield offers small class sizes, a collaborative culture, and a commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity, character, and leadership. Ranked among the top independent schools in Missouri, Whitfield blends rigorous academics with experiential learning opportunities, including award-winning arts programs, competitive athletics, and community engagement. Faculty enjoy professional development support, a forward-thinking environment, and the opportunity to shape a transformative educational experience. Join a school where passionate teaching meets meaningful relationships, inspiring students to thrive in a dynamic world.