The Northwest School is an independent day and boarding school serving students in grades 6–12 on an urban campus in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. As Seattle’s only day and boarding school, Northwest offers a distinctive educational experience that combines rigorous academics with experiential, interdisciplinary learning in a vibrant city setting.

Our liberal arts program nurtures compassionate, globally aware, and environmentally conscious students who find joy in learning and are prepared to engage thoughtfully and creatively in an interconnected world. Northwest is a warm, inclusive community grounded in shared values and a deep commitment to belonging. 

We believe diversity strengthens our school and are dedicated to building a faculty and student body that reflects the broader society. We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Position Summary

The Northwest School seeks a full-time Director of Enrollment Management to provide strategic leadership for recruitment, admissions, retention, financial aid, and enrollment planning. Reporting to the Head of School and serving on the Senior Leadership Team, the Director plays a central role in positioning Northwest as a school of choice locally, nationally, and internationally, leveraging the school’s unique identity as Seattle’s only day and boarding school.

The next Director of Enrollment will have a unique opportunity to shape and bring to life a mission-driven enrollment strategy that ensures long-term sustainability, broadens access, and enriches the vitality of the community. The position is available July 1, 2026.

Essential Functions

Strategic Enrollment Leadership

• Partner with the Head of School and senior leadership to advance the mission, vision, and long-term strategic priorities of the institution.
• Design, implement, and continuously refine a transparent and data-informed enrollment strategy aligned with institutional priorities and multi-year enrollment targets that integrate recruitment, retention, financial aid, and demographic forecasting.
• Analyze admissions funnel data (inquiries, applicants, admits, yield, retention) to guide decision-making and improve outcomes with the goal of increasing the top of the funnel and ultimately overall enrollment of mission-aligned families.
• Position The Northwest School effectively in a competitive market, highlighting its distinctive identity as Seattle’s only day and boarding school.
• Perform other strategic duties as needed.

Admissions Program & Operations

• Design and lead a mission-driven admissions program that clearly communicates the school’s philosophy, culture, and strategic priorities to prospective families.
• Lead and manage all admissions cycles—Early Application, Middle School, Upper School, and International, inclusive of Boarding—with clarity, consistency, and integrity.
• Recruit, orient, and guide Middle School, Upper School, and International Admissions Committees; ensure thoughtful, holistic review of applicants.
• Collaborate with division directors on admissions protocols, including interviews, class visits, and signature admissions events.

Retention & Community Sustainability

• Develop and implement retention strategies in collaboration with division directors and student support teams.
• Monitor enrollment and attrition trends, and market dynamics to identify patterns and recommend proactive interventions.
• Develop and implement targeted strategies at key transition points with emphasis on entry grades and progression from Middle to Upper School.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Inspire, supervise, and develop a team of two to three admissions professionals, including one Associate Director and one Assistant Director.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture grounded in shared purpose and continuous improvement.

Marketing, Communications & Outreach

• Partner with the Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications to create compelling admissions publications, digital content, and marketing materials.
• Oversee admissions-related website content and contribute to integrated marketing strategies across digital, social media, and print platforms.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with feeder schools, educational consultants, and community partners throughout the greater Seattle area.
• Collaborate with the Director of Global Outreach and Programs on international recruitment and enrollment, with the goal of diversifying our international student population.
• Serve as an active school representative at the regional and national level with participation in programs sponsored by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), Puget Sound Independent Schools (PSIS), Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP), and the Enrollment Management Association (EMA), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), and other mission-aligned organizations.

Financial Aid, Data & Governance

• Work closely with the Director of Finance and Operations and the Financial Aid Specialist to strategically leverage approximately $4+M in operating and endowment-funded tuition assistance.
• Manage the admissions operating budget.
• Analyze enrollment data and market trends; prepare and present reports to school leadership and, as needed, the Board of Trustees.
• Attend monthly Board of Trustees meetings and selected committee meetings.

Community Engagement

• Serve as an active ambassador of The Northwest School by participating in the life of the school, including athletic and arts events, faculty committees, student activities, and special initiatives.
• Attend all monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees, as well as select Committee meetings (e.g., Finance, Communications & Marketing).