Director of Admissions

Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School•Washington, DC

About The Position

Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation's Capital is an independent, community Jewish day school that currently offers a dual curriculum of General and Judaic studies for students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. The school is distinguished by its commitment to academic excellence, talented faculty, and learning that is joyful, engaging, experiential, and enduring. MILTON is a warm, vibrant, pluralistic Jewish day school where students,families, and faculty mirror the diversity of Jewish practice in the community. The school serves more than 480 students at our Kay and Robert Schattner Center Campuses - the beautiful South Campus for Early Elementary students in Grades PK-1, and the newly renovated and expanded North Campus for Elementary and Middle School students in Grades 2-8. The Director of Admissions serves as one of MILTON’s most important community ambassadors—welcoming families, nurturing relationships, and helping them to envision themselves as a valued member of our community. This leader is responsible for identifying, recruiting, enrolling, and retaining Early Elementary (Pre-K through Grade 1) students and by extension, their families. Working in close partnership with our school’s leadership team and parent ambassadors, the Director of Admissions designs and implements strategic recruitment efforts, dynamic marketing and outreach initiatives, and family experiences that reflect our mission, values, and commitment to strong academics and joyful Jewish learning.

Requirements

Evenings and Sundays as needed

Responsibilities

Collaborate closely with Admissions and Advancement teams with a focus on departmental and community growth
Provide strategic leadership for Early Elementary toward MILTON’s Strategic Plan (2023-2038) objectives
Oversee all aspects of the Early Elementary Admissions process, including marketing, family programming, communications, visits, tours, applicant screenings, and Admissions committees
Run Admissions Committee meetings and processes
Collaborate with our Advancement colleagues and other school leaders to develop and implement a comprehensive marketing that increases inquiries, applications, and matriculations from qualified applicants
Ensure robust programming through Admissions Open Houses, pre-Admissions events, community events targeting young families, and follow-up gatherings for keeping families connected between a first conversation to the first day of school.
Meet with potential families (including on school tours) to articulate the school’s mission, culture, programs, and value-added proposition, and assess their willingness and commitment to partner effectively with the school
Cultivate, deepen, and expand relationships with local preschools and their lay and professional leaders; Manage communication and events targeted toward local preschools and feeders
Oversee buddy program for recruitment and onboarding/integration of new families
Participate in the financial aid process, as needed
Participate in the development and preparation of all print and online Admissions materials in concert with the Directors of Enrollment and Advancement to convey relevant, accurate, and targeted messaging to intended audiences
Maintain statistical reports on enrollment trends, market demand, and demographic analysis, and report on such matters to school constituencies, including Board of Directors, as appropriate
Re-invigorate and guide the Ambassador Program, utilizing parent and student volunteers to meaningfully engage potential families with MILTON
Harness the power and impact of parents and staff as ambassadors to the wider community
Evaluate continually, where appropriate, the Admissions with the goal of maintaining capacity enrollment of qualified students
In collaboration with Director of Enrollment, develop and manage the Admissions budget
Stay current on trends in independent school Admissions, financial aid, and retention, including economic and demographic shifts that could impact Admissions and enrollment
Take an active role in professional activities, and attend relevant professional meetings and conferences
Represent MILTON at various educational and Jewish community events, programs, and conferences
Fulfill other responsibilities as determined by the Head of School
Work with faculty to optimize tours and admissions events/prospective parent experience
Interact with teachers