Harvard-Westlake School seeks a Head of Admission and Enrollment to begin July 1, 2023. Known as one of the country’s leading independent schools, Harvard-Westlake has a culture of excellence that is defined and strengthened by inclusivity, community citizenship, student well-being, and purpose beyond self. The school enrolls 1620 students from grades 7 - 12 and distributes over $14 million of financial aid to 22% of the student body.
Reporting directly to the President and Head of School, the Head of Admission and Enrollment serves on the senior leadership team and oversees both the strategic goals and the operational processes of enrollment. The Head of Admission and Enrollment works with a team of eight others in the admission office, in addition to the Director of Financial Aid.
Specific Responsibilities As a member of the senior leadership team, the Head of Admission and Enrollment partners closely with other school leaders in strategic thinking and day-to-day decision making, while leading a personalized admission process. In addition, the Head of Admission and Enrollment is responsible for the following:
Leading the process and setting the tone and vision for attracting, enrolling, and retaining a strong, diverse, mission-appropriate student body best suited for Harvard-Westlake’s curriculum and extracurricular programs.
Working with the President/Head of School and Chief Financial Officer to create and oversee the school’s enrollment and financial aid budgets and strategies, communicating annually with the Board of Trustees about strategy and progress.
Partnering with the Director of Financial Aid in the management, organization, and distribution of financial aid funds according to the school’s mission.
Partnering with the Head of Communications in a wide variety of marketing initiatives, including events, personal outreach, and community and parent engagement.
Partnering with the Director of Institutional Research to build sophisticated data models and statistical information regarding the school’s enrollment trends.
Informing the admission staff and community about demographics and enrollment trends, ensuring that changes and challenges are anticipated, understood, and addressed.
Developing relationships with current and prospective families.
Engaging personnel from advancement, alumni relations, the teaching faculty, and the administration to assist with marketing, interviewing, and decision making, as appropriate.
Developing and executing an all-school enrollment management model.
Informing elementary and junior high schools and community-based organizations throughout Los Angeles about Harvard-Westlake’s mission and values.
Managing a welcoming office and a well-trained staff of eight.
Engaging in the life of the school, playing a vital role in the Harvard-Westlake community, and serving as a model for the school’s mission and values.
Requisite Skills and Experience Harvard-Westlake seeks an experienced educator with leadership skills and a commitment to team-oriented, values-based decision making. In addition, the strongest candidates will demonstrate:
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and public relations skills.
A personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and experience participating in an inclusive admission process.
Creative ideas for addressing systems of bias in the admissions process and experience reducing barriers to access.
Facility with data, comfort thinking strategically, and strong organizational and managerial skills.
Energy, flexibility, maturity, good judgment, and a sense of humor.
A minimum of five years of experience in admission and financial aid in an independent school or college, including leadership experience.
Additional Information about Harvard-Westlake Harvard-Westlake operates on two stunning campuses, the middle school campus in Holmby Hills and the upper school campus in Studio City. Each campus features remarkable academic resources, visual arts and performing arts spaces, and athletic facilities.
Harvard-Westlake School is the result of the 1989 merger of two outstanding Los Angeles day schools: Harvard School for Boys, established in 1900, and Westlake School for Girls, founded in 1904. Full coeducational instruction and programs began in 1991.
The school has an extraordinarily talented and richly diverse student body, with 56% students of color, 73 different languages spoken at home, and sending communities that include 175 zip codes in and around Los Angeles. Deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in its educational, admission, and employment practices., Harvard-Westlake is focused on ensuring an equitable educational experience where all students’ voices and identities are welcomed, celebrated, and reflected in the curriculum and programming.
The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, or any other characteristic. We seek candidates who demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community members; have an ability to work flexibly, independently, and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds; and have a capacity to serve as a model of openness, generosity, and acceptance.
How to Apply Please submit in an electronic application, your resume, a cover letter, and names and contact information for three references directly through our website. Please submit materials by November 1, 2022.
Benefits
Top tier medical, dental, and vision coverage with zero to low premium contributions
403(b) Retirement with a 10% match and immediate vesting
Cafeteria allowance – lunch is on us!
Professional development support including continuing education
Personal Growth grants
Relocation Assistance
Employee affinity groups
Mental wellness resources and workshops
Partially subsidized employee housing (subject to availability)
Tickets to local sporting and entertainment events
Discount at the school bookstore (get your HW swag!)
Paid Holidays, including time off for Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring break plus vacation
