Indian Springs School

Indian Springs School Director of Admission and Financial Aid The School Indian Springs School in Indian Springs, Alabama, brings together a diverse th th cohort of just over 300 boarding and day students in the 8 -12 grades on a 350-acre campus where nature serves as both inspiration and laboratory. Students from more than 20 states and countries work together with Springs’ 40 accomplished faculty members in a model of shared governance. Students discover their passions by taking part in everything from athletics to our renowned choir to student-run scholastic, service, and special-interest clubs. Our broad curriculum; idyllic setting; innovative independent study and virtual learning opportunities; international community; and cutting-edge, Silver LEED-certified classrooms (built in 2015) all enhance the dynamic teaching environment that opens doors to new ideas and new possibilities. Founded in 1952 and led for its first 20 years by forward-thinking educator Dr. Louis E. “Doc” Armstrong, Springs has roots in the progressive educational philosophy of John Dewey, who inspired our motto: Learning through Living. Our mission is to develop in students a love of learning and creativity, a sense of integrity and moral courage, and an ethic of participatory citizenship with respect for individuality and independent thought. Personalized learning has been a hallmark of an Indian Springs education since the school was founded. More than two dozen advanced courses are available through our participation in the prestigious Malone Schools Online Network, and endless possibilities for independent studies with our dedicated faculty allow our students to hone skills and explore interests. Learning at Springs is both an individual pursuit and a collective endeavor, in which we seek to understand our world and one another. As members of a caring, international community, students from across the country and around the globe come together to learn and live side by side in order to broaden their experience and perspectives. Located just 15 minutes from Birmingham, which made civil rights history in 1963, Indian Springs draws from the city’s rich history as it highlights the importance of understanding other cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints. One of our best-known alumni, author and educator John Green ’95, has said that Springs is where “all at once, I became a learner … because I found myself in a community of learners." As members of this passionate community, Indian Springs students are ready for college, and prepared for the world. Visit our website: www.IndianSprings.org. The Position The Director of Admission is a member of the Senior Administrative Team and is responsible for the overall leadership, vision, and strategic planning direction for Indian Springs’ Office of Admission and Financial Aid. Functions which report to the Director include Financial Aid, Recruitment, Enrollment Management and Admission Communications. The Office of Admission, in addition to the Advancement and Communications Offices comprise the school’s External Affairs team. The Director of Admission will work closely with the Head of School and the Assistant Head for External Affairs, and will be responsible for developing and executing enrollment and recruitment initiatives and managing all related matters. The Director of Admission will work closely with the School’s senior administrative staff, faculty, alumni, parents and Trustees. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful, articulate and experienced admissions professional who can both effectively lead staff and serve as a superb front-line ambassador for the School. The ability to orchestrate and run an admissions cycle with coordinated events, publications, and outreach efforts is essential to the mission of the office. In addition, at Indian Springs, a cultural fit is of equal importance to a candidate’s ability to perform the tasks associated with this role. To that end, Springs seeks candidates who are self-starters, problem solvers, leaders and effective communicators, who embody the School’s core values. This is a high profile position which requires a strong ability to build goodwill on behalf of the School with parents and prospective students as well as local, regional, and national institutions from feeder schools to professional organizations to consultants. The Director will be expected to develop strong relationships with the full range of the School’s constituents and to attract and yield students who will comprise a cohort to advance Indian Springs’ mission. Duties and Responsibilities Among other duties and responsibilities, the Director of Admission will: ● Create and implement a comprehensive recruiting and marketing strategy to meet 8-12 grade enrollment and revenue goals. ● Travel throughout the United States and the World developing relationships and recruiting students. ● Build relationships with feeder schools, consultants and agencies. ● Serve on senior administrative staff of the school. ● Report to the Board of Trustees 4 times a year on enrollment and financial aid. ● Manage Financial Aid budget of over $1.5 million with the objectives of attracting and yielding a mission-appropriate cohort of first-rate students and meeting tuition revenue and enrollment goals. ● Manage an office budget of $200K annually. ● Work in close cooperation with the Advancement and Communications Offices to aid in the creation of all new publications, marketing materials, and advertising campaigns. ● Attend meetings of the Finance and Advancement Committees of the Board of Trustees, and provide relevant data and updates for the committees’ work. ● Manage staff of 2. ● Articulate and exemplify the School’s enrollment philosophy to the members of its various constituencies. ● Initiate and lead plans for recruiting, attracting, yielding and retaining an intentionally diverse, academically strong, and global cohort of students to meet the immediate and long range goals of the School. ● Work closely with the Head of School and Assistant Head for External Affairs to develop goals and strategies for the School’s enrollment and financial aid programs, including outreach, community and organizational partnerships. ● Collaborate with the Director of Summer Programs to develop and implement summer programming that will support the recruitment efforts of the School. ● Communicate and collaborate regularly with the Assistant Head for External Affairs, and Director of Finance to promote message and mission consistency. ● Work with all team members and administrative leaders to develop best practices for all admissions initiatives. ● Adhere to the highest ethical standards, reflect an optimistic and positive attitude, demonstrate perseverance and stay focused on securing support for a set of campus-wide priorities. ● Maintain a high degree of confidentiality and adhere to the policies and procedures for recruitment, enrollment, and retention of students. ● Be able to conduct weekend and evening work. ● With the Office of Advancement, help to shape a vision for alumni relations and legacy programs that will enhance involvement and support from the School’s graduates. Qualifications ● Integrity, warmth, flexibility, confidence, a positive outlook and a good sense of humor. ● Knowledge of and experience with successful enrollment management programs and efforts. ● Ability to interact effectively with and earn the respect of all the constituencies of the Indian Springs School community, including current and prospective families, the leadership team, staff, faculty, Board of Trustees, alumni, students, and friends of the School. ● Demonstrated ability to manage, motivate, develop and mentor staff. ● Knowledge of how to market and communicate the School’s mission, vision and values both internally and externally. ● Excellent written and oral communication skills. ● Ability to oversee the identification, cultivation and securing of prospective students. ● A strong commitment to an independent, globally-minded, pluralistic, progressive boarding school education. ● Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred. ● 3+ years of admission experience required, preferably at an independent school and/or in higher education. ● Interest in and willingness to travel. Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to: Annie Galey, Assistant to the Head of School [email protected] .

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