As the only girls’ school in central Ohio, Columbus School for Girls (CSG) provides a dynamic college preparatory education empowering students to discover their distinct potential as learners and leaders. The school focuses on providing a cohesive, developmentally appropriate curriculum for girls ages 3 through grade 12 that prepares them to thrive in college and beyond.
CSG students hail from 51 zip codes, come from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, and practice all five major religions. Columbus School for Girls was founded in 1898 by Mary Bole Scott and Florence Kelley to replace the traditional “finishing school” young women often attended. As the years went by, the school became one of the most rigorous and progressive institutions in the Midwest. At CSG, every girl is known and valued. A girl centered education means students have the freedom to speak out more, gain more confidence, and see themselves as leaders. For over 120 years, CSG students have been thinking critically, expressing and defending their opinions, and digging deeply to pursue knowledge. Here, every girl is a scholar, a leader, a changemaker, a sister, and a friend.
Reporting to the Head of School, the Director of Enrollment Management will lead the strategic and operational components of enrollment management, develop the research and analyze the data necessary to inform decision-making, and direct student recruitment, retention, tuition assistance and enrollment efforts. The Director is responsible for outreach to prospective families and the enrollment and re-enrollment of a mission-aligned, qualified and diverse student body. The Director serves as the external “face” of Columbus School for Girls’ enrollment efforts and works with all constituencies to inspire community-based outreach.
Key Responsibilities:
Design and execute annual admission and enrollment goals and strategies in accordance with the School’s commitment to engaging a student body and family community that promotes economic, geographic, racial, and ethnic diversity in the student body, based on enrollment goals set by the Board of Trustees and feedback from the senior staff on the composition of the student body.
Manage a team of admissions professionals, including oversight of all aspects of the office (i.e. recruiting, hiring, training, developing goals for and evaluating team members).
Deliver strategic thought-leadership in admission, marketing, and recruitment and direct the process of attracting, selecting and enrolling students while sustaining and enhancing the School’s position in the marketplace.
Provide counsel and serve as a resource to academic leadership in program development that will resonate in the local marketplace and position CSG as the school of choice for girls in Central Ohio.
Manage new student enrollment and the re enrollment process for current students. Ensure the continued academic, athletic and co-curricular excellence of the School’s student body through recruitment, enrollment and retention practices informed by the School’s strategic priorities.
Organize and administer the tuition assistance program awarding annual awards to new and returning families, managing a $3.5 million financial aid budget and process and leverage financial aid to attract and retain a talented class of students while achieving net revenue targets, in conjunction with the Chief Finance Officer and the Head of School.
Build a school-wide enrollment management culture by encouraging departments and offices on campus to develop relationships with admissions directors and prospective families ensuring that individuals in academics, student life, athletics, diversity initiatives, communications and development, business and finance are engaged in the process of attracting and retaining mission-appropriate students.
Foster a collaborative relationship with senior leadership as well as with the Board of Trustees, alumnae board and Head of School.
Coordinate with the Marketing and Communications Department on the development and implementation of strategic marketing ideas, including the effective use of social media and other online tools, production of all admission marketing materials, including the School view book and the Admission and Financial Aid section of the School’s website.
Maintain good communication and work closely with the Division Directors on issues related to student life, with a focus on ensuring that all students admitted to CSG thrive.
Gather, analyze and present statistical and trend data related to admission and enrollment to the senior staff, the Board of Trustees, and the faculty. Understand and inform the School community about research and trends in admission to ensure that changes and challenges are anticipated, understood, and addressed.
Formulate annual Admission and Enrollment Action Plan with measurable and attainable goals and objectives.
Attend Board of Trustees meetings, participate in strategic planning and keep the Board fully apprised of the School’s admission, financial aid, and marketing endeavors.
Oversee the admission information management software, the online application and submission of materials, and testing administration and logistics.
Qualifications and Personal Attributes:
The ideal candidate for this position possesses a deep understanding of and belief in the power of a girls’ school education. They are familiar with and can communicate the value of an independent school education and are committed to working towards realizing CSG’s mission to empower girls to discover their distinct potential as learners and leaders. They demonstrate a commitment to DEIB work in support of a girls’ school mission and recognize the importance of the school’s core value of being individual in mind and community at heart. They will have demonstrated the ability to lead with strength and grace while also setting high standards and expectations for excellence. The ideal candidate is ambitious and determined, empathetic and challenging, intellectual and thoughtful, enterprising, imaginative and creative.
Five to seven years working experience in a school setting or equivalent experience;
Experience as a school leader or administrator, preferably in an independent school;
Experience in girls’ schools or girl-centered organizations preferred;
Experience working with students across ages and stages of development preferred;
Demonstrated success setting expectations for professionalism, accountability, and collegiality.
To Apply:
Columbus School for Girls has retained Carney, Sandoe & Associates / The Baker Group to assist in the recruitment of the Director of Enrollment Management. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:
A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
A current and thorough résumé of no more than four pages;
A writing sample, such as a parent/guardian communication, newsletter, open house speech, blog, or article;
Contact information for five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission)
Columbus School for Girls (CSG), located in Columbus Ohio, is an independent, college preparatory day school with a total enrollment of 503 girls. Founded in 1898, CSG is dedicated to girls’ intellectual, social, and ethical growth from early childhood through twelfth grade. The school is characterized by challenging academics, enriching arts and athletics, supportive relationships, and a range of diversity. Each CSG girl is empowered to discover her true voice and embrace her full potential amid the challenges and opportunities of a global and dynamic world.