Assistant Director of Admissions and Community Outreach

The Overlake School – Redmond, WA

 The Overlake School seeks a full-time Assistant Director of Admissions and Outreach.

Founded in 1967, The Overlake School is an independent, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory day school. Each Overlake community member is committed to the school's mission to champion students and their vast potential through engaging educational experiences in a diverse and inclusive community.  Overlake students are valued as multifaceted individuals and graduate with a passion for learning, ready for any path that contributes to a better world. 

The Overlake School is committed to diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its educational policies, financial aid, employment, and other school-administered programs. ?Our school is committed to the strategic goals of developing our collective capacity in areas of well-being for all, the attraction and retention of talented and qualified educators, integration of diversity, equity & inclusion into the life of our school, and defining our institutional identity. 

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Director of Admission will participate in all aspects of the admission process as a member of the admission team to achieve the goals and objectives of the Office of Admission. The person in this position must maintain a clear, well-developed understanding of the school, including the admission and financial aid process, while demonstrating the ability to effectively and accurately communicate this knowledge to prospective, new, and current families. This position requires a highly organized, detail-oriented individual possessing excellent interpersonal communication skills, demonstrated cultural competence and be able to process confidential information in a professional, discrete manner. This person must have the ability to take ownership of certain areas of responsibility while supporting teammates in all parts of the admission and financial process.

The Assistant Director of Admission cultivates and recruits student applicants for The Overlake School. Duties include community outreach, planning, executing, and participating in admission events; supporting marketing and communication efforts; interviewing prospective students/families, reading/assessing student files; and communicating with applicants and their families.

The Community Outreach aspect of this role supports the school’s commitment to provide greater access to an Overlake education for populations that are underserved and underrepresented in the school community.  Per the school’s strategic plan, Overlake seeks to increase population of Black, Latin(e), Indigenous, and students who qualify for financial assistance.  Candidate must demonstrate experience to serve these populations effectively and successfully.

 Key Job Competencies

 Cultural Competence: Possesses and applies the skills, values, and principles that acknowledge, respect, contribute and work effectively across cultural differences. Recognizes the unique value, perspectives, strengths, and challenges of every person who comes to the Overlake community and supports the integral work of the office of Diversity and Inclusion

• Communication: Exceptional ability to articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using oral, written, visual, and non-verbal communication skills, deep listening skills to gain understanding and having an interest in connecting with prospective families, particularly those who have been identified as underrepresented in the Overlake community
• Emotional Intelligence: Demonstrates high levels of self/social awareness, self-management, empathy, and curiosity
• Relationship Management: Positively collaborates and builds/maintains authentic and trusting relationships. Demonstrates high levels of discretion and confidentiality
• Decision-Making: Generates and evaluates alternatives and risks before making a decision or taking action, encouraging input from others when it is appropriate, and evaluating the effectiveness of decisions after they have been made
• Project Management: Ability to lead and execute complex projects to achieve goal attainment by prioritizing activities, monitoring progress, and evaluating impact
• Collaboration: Interpersonal and intrapersonal qualities on will leverage to collectively solve a problem or make progress toward a common goal. The ability to work with others to complete a project or task, or develop ideas or processes
• Personal Growth: Demonstrates commitment and curiosity to ongoing learning and development

Core Responsibilities

• Coordinate outreach efforts and track diversity data
• Execute outreach strategies to recruit , admit and yield underserved and underrepresented populations in school’s admissions process 
• Assist Director of Admissions and Financial aid in developing and implementing access and inclusion policies and procedures that work towards equitable outcomes for admissions department 
• Maintain and develop relationships with access programs and other community organizations geared toward widening access.
• Organize and host events for families of color throughout admission process and provide support for the overall admissions process.

Other Responsibilities 

• Coordinate and implement admissions and retention programs and events, including tours, student visits, open houses, interviews, and new family welcome events
• Recruit and work with prospective students and families as they move through the admission process
• Interview applicants and serve as a member of the admission committee
• Assist as a member of the financial aid committee.
• Develop and maintain activity reports to track position relevant data and support strategic goals for the admission department
• Assists department with parent/student ambassador relations
• Assist with other on-campus/off-campus/virtual admission events. Light local travel and attend events as required, including evening and weekends for scheduled events
• Support with admission department daily operations and encourages a culture of teamwork and collaboration with Overlake community
• Other projects and duties as assigned by the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Salary:  $56,000 to $66,000 depending on education and experience.

Benefits: Overlake Benefits 

For more information about The Overlake School, or to apply, visit: www.overlake.jobs. 

Qualifications and Required Skills/Abilities

•  Bachelor’s degree required
• Strong cultural competency skillset
• Experience working in the fields of admissions/enrollment or education, with three or more years preferred. Independent school experience and/or experience within a mission-driven organization preferred
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion required
• Experience in working with a range of constituents, in particular Black, Latin(e), Indigenous, and families that qualify for financial assistance desirable.
• Spanish and/or Mandarin speaking desirable
• An ability to work with a range of constituents, including current families and families new to independent schools
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); Ravenna, or similar admissions databases
• Strong presentation, organization, communication, and interpersonal skills
• The ability to be self-directed, analytical, and detail-oriented as well as able to prioritize a variety of obligations and deadlines
• Key personal attributes: a positive spirit and outlook, optimism, and a ‘can-do’ attitude