Forest Hills, New York
Bethesda, Maryland
Posted: 21-Apr-25
Location: Forest Hills, New York
Type: Full Time
Salary: $90,000 - $130,000 per annum
Salary Details:
Overview
The Kew-Forest School, a PS-12 co-educational day school founded in 1918 in Forest Hills, NY, seeks an experienced and dynamic individual to serve as Director of Enrollment & Tuition Assistance (DETA). Kew-Forest is proud to enroll an astonishingly diverse student body representative of Queens and New York City, including approximately nine percent of whom are international students. The Kew-Forest School promotes diversity in its hiring process and is committed to supporting its inclusive community by hiring culturally diverse faculty and staff to work with our equally diverse students, families, and employees.
The DETA reports to the Head of School and is an integral member of the School’s eleven-member senior leadership team, contributing to operations and short- and long-range planning. Working closely with other school administrators, the DETA implements short- and long-range recruitment, enrollment, retention, and tuition assistance strategies to reach enrollment and budgetary targets.
The ideal candidate embodies relational and collaborative leadership, demonstrates creative, strategic, and critical thinking, cultural competency, emotional intelligence, and a sense of humor. The incoming DETA will enthusiastically embrace the role of “ambassador in chief” for the entire Kew-Forest community. The DETA will bring substantial experience in enrollment management and tuition assistance administration, coupled with proven ability to think outside the box and innovate in enrollment strategies.
The Kew-Forest School is embarking on an exciting new chapter as it enters its 108th year of operation. In June 2022, The Kew-Forest School began the process of creating a new Campus Master Plan to reimagine and restructure the campus. Short-term upgrades to the school were completed last year, and long-term changes are being contemplated. The school is also at the half-way point of a five-year strategic plan, which includes goals to enhance The Kew-Forest School's student-centered program; foster school identity and community; support the people who inspire students; discover The Kew-Forest School world; and build a durable and sustainable financial future. These goals are aimed at ensuring that The Kew-Forest School will continue to inspire students through its next 100 years. The individual who becomes our next DETA will be energetic, creative, imaginative, and thoughtful in their approach to enrollment, retention, and their ambassadorship.
Essential Functions:
- Plan, implement, and oversee the strategic and day-to-day operations of the Admission Office;
- Supervise the Admission & International Student Coordinator (AISC) and collaborate with the AISC in recruiting, reviewing, enrolling, and supporting the School's international student population;
- Maintain and provide applicant support for Admission Office databases (Finalsite and Clarity Serve as senior administrator for both systems;
- Lead new student enrollment, oversee the re-enrollment of current students in close collaboration with school leadership, and work closely with divisional leadership on retention-related issues;
- Direct the entire application review process, and assign reading and committee assignments to associates in the office, faculty, and staff. Make final decisions on files with input from key stakeholders;
- Release all decision-related communications through Finalsite;
- Organize and administer the School’s tuition assistance program and budget in conjunction with the Head of School and Director of Finance;
- Coordinate and host all on-campus visitation programs including open houses, applicant tours, candidate interviews, retention events including Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School Preview Nights, and spring accepted student programs;
- Oversee design and administration of Lower School applicant assessments;
- Conduct Parent Interviews for applicants to PS-K;
- Recruit and manage student, parent, and faculty volunteers to embrace a customer service orientation and advocate on behalf of the School at events and on platforms;
- Work directly and in collaboration with the Director of Marketing and Communications on the creation and management of all admission publications and communications, including the school’s view book and other print materials;
- Assist the Head of School and Director of Marketing & Communications with a complete website overhaul for the 2024-2025 school year with an anticipated launch date of December 2024/January 2025;
- Update admission pages of the school website as needed throughout the year;
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with sending schools, community organizations, and partner programs (e.g. A Better Chance, Oliver Scholars, Prep for Prep, TEAK Fellowship, etc.);
- Maintain statistical and trend data related to admission, enrollment, and tuition assistance, and present the information to the leadership team, board of trustees, and faculty;
- Conduct necessary research to inform decision-making at administrative and board levels;
- Attend board meetings when appropriate;
- Represent the School at ISAAGNY (Independent School Admission Association of Greater New York), NYSAIS (New York State Association of Independent Schools), NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools), Association of Independent School Admissions Professionals (AISAP), and other admission-specific organization events, recruitment fairs, and workshops;
- Coordinate the preparation, distribution, and collection of enrollment contracts for new students and re-enrollment contracts for returning students;
- Serve as an integral leader for the school community and participate fully in the daily community life of the school;
- Extend oneself beyond the responsibilities of a job description when the need arises;
- Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned by the Head of School;
- Identify and pursue professional development activities appropriate to the position;
- Adhere to the employee handbook and conditions of employment;
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
Desired Experience and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred;
- Minimum 4 years of relevant experience as an admission/financial aid officer;
- Experience in and strong understanding of financial aid processes and calculations;
- Strong understanding of independent school education, philosophy, and practice, and a commitment to PS-12 education;
- Superior communication skills, both written and spoken;
- Superior interpersonal, organizational, leadership, and managerial skills, and attention to detail;
- Proficiency in utilizing technologies that support student record management, analytical reporting, office operations, and social media. Fluency with database management and preferred software applications including Blackbaud, Finalsite (SchoolAdmin), and Clarity;
- Willingness to work in a cooperative environment and collaborate closely with colleagues and families;
- Commitment to confidentiality and good judgment on sensitive matters;
- A positive attitude, abundant energy, flexible approach, and warmth;
- Ability to manage multiple complex tasks, tight deadlines, and changing demands;
- Demonstrated track record of creative approaches to outreach and enrollment.
Salary Range
$90K - $130K commensurate with years and depth of experience.
Indyschool Consultancy is leading this search. For more information or to apply, please contact Tim Viands at tim@indyschoolconsultancy.com.
MISSION
We are The Kew-Forest School.
Our community nurtures lifelong learners from around the world.
Our educators inspire young people to think boldly and find their voices.
Our students support each other and explore thoughtfully as they shape the future.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION
The Kew-Forest School believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. The School prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, culture, background, physical or mental disability, or any other legally protected classes or classifications. No employee or job applicant will be discriminated against in recruitment, compensation, promotion, or termination practices.