Associate Admissions Director jobs in San Jose, CA

The Assistant or Associate Director of Admissions with a focus on outreach and belonging is a full participant in all initiatives related to Menlo School admissions (grades 6 through 12) with a special focus and responsibility for making sure applicants who are unfamiliar with independent schools and/or are underrepresented in the Menlo student population relative to the great Bay Area are supported in their application process through matriculation and onboarding.   

This role is pivotal in shaping the future of our school community by leading efforts to attract and enroll a diverse student body while fostering a culture of belonging. We believe that an exceptional student body that is diverse in terms of culture, financial resource, educational backgrounds, identities, life experiences, abilities, skills, interests, and talents is essential to a future-focused institution.  

Responsibilities will include representing Menlo School to a wide and diverse audience; corresponding with prospective students and their families; organizing admissions events; participating fully in the evaluation of applications and decision recommendations; and other duties as assigned. The incumbent is expected to work with a high level of independence and autonomy while collaborating effectively with team members and across departments. All team members in the Admissions Office are expected to demonstrate a high degree of initiative, integrity, and judgment in decisions impacting the experience of prospective families, department operations, and the Menlo community.  

Primary Responsibilities:  

• Outreach Strategy: Develop and implement outreach strategies to attract a diverse pool of applicants from various backgrounds, identities, cultures, abilities, and life experiences.

• Admissions Events: In collaboration with the entire Admissions team, plan and execute admissions events, including preview days, information sessions, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging recruitment events, to showcase Menlo School’s values and offerings.

• Application Process: Guide prospective families through the admissions process, providing high levels of support and assistance as needed to ensure a smooth and positive experience, particularly for families wholly unfamiliar with independent schools and the application process.

• Applicant Evaluation: Interview prospective students and read and evaluate applications for admission for grades 6-12. 

Outreach, Engagement, and Evaluation  

• developing and implement outreach strategies to attract a diverse pool of applicants from various backgrounds, identities, cultures, abilities, and life experiences.
• contributing to the execution of strategic plans for recruitment, evaluation, and enrollment of qualified students while addressing a range of institutional priorities;
• developing and cultivating relationships through outstanding high-touch customer service with prospective students, parents/guardians, feeder school personnel, and consultants, while guiding them through the admissions and enrollment process and communicating the unique value proposition of a Menlo education;
• cultivating relationships with feeder schools, community organizations, and educational partners to promote Menlo School and its mission.
• collaborating closely with the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging office; and all faculty; staff; and administrators to align outreach and admissions efforts with the school’s mission and strategic goals.
• representing Menlo at admissions events, school fairs, feeder schools and community based organizations;
• developing initiatives and lead admissions office in efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students and families
• contributing to the development of programming and resources to support equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging that proactively impacts the lived experience of all students on campus through an admissions lens;
• supporting the successful onboarding of new students in both divisions;
• interviewing prospective students and parents/guardians;
• reading and evaluating applicant files, and participating in Admission Committee recommendations for all applicants;
• remaining current on local and national market trends, understandings of adolescent development, and Menlo’s value proposition so as to be able to communicate clearly with prospective families and properly evaluate applicants. 

Event Management  

• collaborating with the entire Admissions team to plan and execute admissions events, including preview days, information sessions, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging recruitment events, and creative signature events (in-person and virtual) for prospective and admitted students and families to showcase Menlo School’s values and offerings.

• supporting and cultivating a culture of strong campus partnerships, effective communications, exceptional customer service, and continually improving internal workflows;

Admission Ambassador Management  

• participating in the development and management of leadership groups in the Middle and Upper Schools for student admissions ambassadors, developing practices to continually enhance participation and effectiveness;
• recruiting, coordinating, and training student Admissions Ambassadors with an emphasis on belonging;
• developing training materials, events, and resources for the student admissions ambassadors with an emphasis on belonging;
• collaborating with the team and Director of Admissions & Financial Aid to ensure consistency of brand experience and messaging for prospective families.

Operations Management  

• collaborating with all other members of the Admissions Team in the annual process set-up for the admissions database and application platform;
•  providing data entry support in processing applications, test scores, transcripts, and other supporting credentials for applicant admission review;

Other  

Primary areas of responsibility include but are not limited to…  

• serving as an advisor or co-advisor;
• engaging in the life of the School and regularly attending faculty meetings, school events, etc. when not in conflict with Admissions responsibilities;
• pursuing professional development in the core competencies of the role to ensure that Menlo implements best practices in admissions marketing, outreach, and evaluation;
• and other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Admission and Financial Aid and/or Head of School.

Core Competencies:  

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include but are not limited to:  

• understanding and professional alignment with the mission, values, and programs of Menlo School; 
• understanding of the general independent school admission cycle and enrollment funnel, as well as the strategic enrollment priorities of Menlo in particular;
• working knowledge of principles and practices of event planning and production;
• commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; and dedication to ongoing development of cultural competency and cultural humility skills and practices;
• strategic thinking, design thinking, and project management skills;
• an orientation towards continued professional development, iteration, and solution seeking;
• strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain collaborative and collegial relationships with colleagues;
• fastidious attention to detail and organization;
• and strict adherence to the highest levels of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and all standards and policies set forth in the Menlo Employee Handbook.

Required Qualifications:  

The successful candidate will possess at minimum…  

• a bachelor's degree
• two years of paid professional experience;
• experience as an education professional;
• excellent communication skills including in written and spoken English, as well as excellent public speaking and presentation skills for small and large audiences;
• familiarity with various applicant assessment instruments and other supplemental skills, cognitive, psychological, and intelligence assessments (i.e. SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, WISC, STAR etc.);
• proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Suite, Zoom, and CRM databases such as Ravenna or Finalsite, as well as a willingness and ability to learn other applications and new software as necessary;
• proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data collection, management, and analysis;
• the ability to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodations

Desired Qualifications:  

The ideal candidate will possess…  

• knowledge of independent school or collegiate admissions;
• experience with Clarity or another financial aid platform;
• and fluency in a language other than English, ideally Spanish.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:  

This position…  

• will require extended periods of stationary positioning, ambulating (indoors and outdoors), working on a computer, and telephone usage; as well as occasional movement of objects weighing up to 40lbs.
• and may require occasional evening and weekend hours as well as local, intrastate, or national travel for approved professional development and meetings of regional professional organizations. 

We Offer:  

• An exceptional work environment and caring community
• Excellent professional development opportunities
• Highly competitive salary
• Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous contributions to a retirement plan. Learn more by going to https://www.menloschool.org/employment-benefits.php.
• Free lunch on campus when school is in session
• On-campus child care center 
• Tuition remission
• Many other perks and benefits

To be considered for this position please submit your resume and cover letter through our portal.  

We look forward to hearing from you!  

About us:  

Menlo School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school for students in grades six through twelve. Located in Atherton, California, and established in 1915, the School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National and California Associations of Independent Schools.  

Menlo is dedicated to providing a challenging academic curriculum complemented by outstanding creative arts and athletic programs. The School helps students develop positive values and nurtures character development in a supportive environment that upholds the highest moral and ethical standards. Our program encourages students to reach their fullest potential and to develop the skills necessary to respond intelligently and humanely to the complexities of a diverse and increasingly interconnected world.  

At Menlo School, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are at the core of our organizational identity. Through our daily efforts, the School demonstrates a shared commitment to the development of all stakeholders by supporting a campus ethos where equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging reflect the major cornerstones of our community.  

Our equal opportunity employment policy:  

Menlo School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants. We administer all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law.  

Pay range:  

In the spirit of pay transparency we share the base salary range for this position for the 2024-2025 academic year. The full pay range, which encompasses all experience levels is $95,000 - $135,000. Within this broad range, we pay in accordance with what could be reasonably expected based on an individual's experience level. Base salary is exclusive of fringe benefits, retirement plan employer contributions or potential stipends (for eligible employees). Pay ranges at Menlo are reasonable estimates of what the School anticipates paying for a role but are not guaranteed. If hired at Menlo School, your final base salary will be determined by factors such as skills, education, experience, job level, part-time status and number of months of work per academic year. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity with our current employees as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the generous range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical for Menlo School in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.  

Job ID: 266