JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Head of Admissions

RESPONSIBLE TO: Headmaster

RESPONSIBLE FOR: NA

You will be responsible to the Headmaster but you will also liaise closely with the Head of Admissions and Brand Communications Manager at .

BACKGROUND TO THE POST:

The Head of Admissions is a vitally important position at Hall as the recruitment and retention of pupils is key to our ongoing success. This is an ideal position for an ambitious and motivated professional who thrives on managing accurate and efficient processes as well as focusing on delivering an exceptional and engaging experience to prospective parents, pupils and their families.

The Head of Admissions is the first point of contact for prospective parents, pupils and their families, as well as feeder schools and international agents. It is key to the success of that the individual in this role always promotes a positive and professional image with exemplary customer relationships and efficient and effective administration, to both internal and external customers.

This role will report directly to the Headmaster on a day-to-day basis and will work very closely with the Marketing Officer and with the Admissions and Marketing team at Malvern College in an integrated and collaborative way. The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of the complete admissions cycle and will be specifically responsible for managing the processes and protocols for all enquiries and applications to Abberley Hall, combined with ensuring that the prospective parent / pupil journey is best that it can possibly be.

The energy and desire to challenge the status quo, implement and embed new ways of working, manage change and inspire others will be key to the success of this role.

KEY DUTIES:

• Implement outstanding data and administrative processes, and demonstrate the benefits of exemplary, accurate data and administrative management through improved practices which results in increased pupil recruitment • Oversee the entire prospective parent / pupil journey and make recommendations and implement changes to ensure an engaging experience internally and externally • Review, develop, implement and maintain timely, professional and warm communications to prospective parents / pupils and their families at every touchpoint in their journey, whether face to face, in writing or over the telephone • Review and improve each stage of the admissions process including initial enquiry, visits, tours of the school, registration, pupil testing, confirmation and on-going communication so the process is professional and delivers a positive experience to all stakeholders • Maintain the integrity of the admissions database (iSAMS) ensuring the accurate and effective capture of all relevant information. This role will be the official keeper of the Admissions Register • Track, manage, analyse and report on all points in the admissions cycle as part of ongoing feedback to the Headmaster • Support the Headmaster with forecasting current and future pupil numbers. Identify trends or patterns which could affect achievement of targets • Support the Headmaster and Director of Finance by supplying key information in relation to bursary applications • Take an active role in working closely with the Marketing Officer at Abberley Hall and the wider marketing team at Malvern College to develop initiatives, events, campaigns, content and communications to support with recruitment and conversion targets • Support day to day marketing work, when required, including updating social media channels, website content updates, the development, planning and attendance of recruitment events, management of the marketing budget. (Support with marketing strategy, operational marketing planning, creative execution, market research and analysis and brand guidance will be provided by Malvern College) • Responsible to the UK Border Agency for all Tier 4 students and be their main point of contact. Responsible for securely holding copies of all passports, visas and birth certificates for all International pupils as required by the law. Producing CAS certificates for Tier 4 pupils. Ensuring that information on Tier 4 pupils held on the database is valid and up to date • Work closely with the Headmaster to ensure consistent communication with relevant members of Common Room, as well as external stakeholders such as Feeder Schools and International Agents • Work with Malvern College and the wider family of Malvern College Schools to support efficient and effective recruitment of pupil strategies across the community of schools in the UK • Attend Open Days and recruitment events, including welcome meetings for new parents and pupils which may held on weekends / evenings • Meet and interview prospective pupils and parents, as required, in the absence of Senior Admissions Advisor • Help to ensure that new pupils are welcomed to the school warmly and inducted smoothly

PERSON SPECIFICATION

CRITERIA REQUIREMENT Qualifications • Degree level or equivalent and • Demonstrable experience of working in an admissions environment experience in an educational setting or in a similar role where transferable skills have been developed

Skills • Understands the importance of the parent / pupil journey and places this at the centre of their work • A strong understanding of effective communication techniques and an ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders • Is able to switch effectively between detailed administrative processes and delivering an excellent and engaging ‘front of house’ customer service experience • Delivers the highest standards of effective and efficient administrative management with an insistence on detail and accuracy • Ability to interpret data, forecast recruitment and retention rates, conversion rates and produce accurate reports • Demonstrates strong business and commercial management acumen, including forecasting, research, report preparation and presentation skills • Demonstrates strong planning and organisational skills • Experience of implementing new processes or process refinement • Advanced IT skills including database management skills • Experience of working to and meeting challenging targets Knowledge • Knowledge and understanding of the admissions environment in an educational setting • Knowledge and understanding of customer relationship management principles and practice • ISAMS • Previous experience working in independent education sector Personal • Being unafraid to challenge the status quo qualities • The enthusiasm and drive to implement new and forward-thinking strategies to increase pupil recruitment and retention • An ability to think creatively and demonstrate initiative, dealing calmly with different situations as they arise • Enjoys meeting and engaging with people from all walks of life both internally and externally and can build strong and lasting relationships • Willingness to work alongside the Headmaster and Marketing team in an integrated and collaborative way • Holds high professional standards and expectations • A flexible approach to hours and duties • Willingness to maintain a busy schedule in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working in a busy and sometimes challenging environment • Is an ambassador for Abberley Hall and shares the school’s aims, ethos and values

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

In accordance with the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (as amended) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (as amended) you must take reasonable care not to endanger yourself or other persons whilst at work. You must co-operate with the School to enable it to comply with its legal duties for Health and Safety.

Abberley Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils and expects all employees to share this commitment. Employees must, at all times, have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in line with the provisions of the Children Act 2004 (as amended) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (as amended) and be fully aware of, and understand, the duties and responsibilities that apply to their role in relation to these requirements. All employees must attend appropriate training in accordance with School and local Safeguarding Board stipulations.

It should be noted that the above list of duties and responsibilities is not necessarily a complete statement of the duties of the post. It is intended to give an overall view of the position and should be taken as guidance only.

HOURS AND BENEFITS:

This is a full-time role, and a flexible approach to working is required, although usual hours will be 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Working some evenings and weekends may be required.

5 weeks holiday per annum plus public holidays Contributory pension scheme

APPLICATIONS:

Details of working at Abberley Hall and our Application form can be found on our website: https://www.abberleyhall.co.uk/current-vacancies. Completed application forms should be sent to the Headmaster c/o Human Resources, Malvern College, Malvern, WR143DF or via email to [email protected] to arrive no later than noon on Monday 1 February 2021. Interviews currently scheduled for w/c 8 February 2021.

You will be required to provide proof of your identity, right to work in the UK and qualifications during the selection process.

Abberley Hall School exists to provide a quality all round education for pupils aged 2 ½ - 13 and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Candidates must be prepared to undergo child protection screening and an Enhanced DBS check.

January 2021