Director of Admissions and Strategy
SUMMARY
The Bay School of San Francisco, founded in 2004, is a private, coeducational college preparatory school uniquely located in the Presidio, where nature and innovation intersect. Bay’s distinctive curriculum blends academic rigor with experiential learning, emphasizing depth over breadth through immersive three-week courses that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and real-world application. With a commitment to developing well-rounded individuals, the school fosters intellectual confidence, ethical leadership, and a collaborative spirit.
As a dynamic and inclusive community of 414 students, Bay prioritizes accessibility through an inclusive tuition model and significant financial aid offerings. The school’s beautifully renovated, historic campus supports its forward-thinking educational approach, creating an environment where students thrive.
Bay is seeking a visionary director of admissions and strategy to lead its admissions department, guide strategy, and shape the school’s future. This role requires a data-driven, forward-thinking leader who can craft and execute a comprehensive admissions, enrollment, and retention plan that aligns with Bay’s mission and long-term goals. The director of admissions and strategy will develop innovative recruitment strategies, leverage market research and demographic trends to expand outreach, and enhance the messaging of Bay’s unique and compelling value proposition in the competitive, Bay Area independent school landscape. Upon arriving at Bay, the director will find a dynamic, hard-working, mission-aligned team of admissions professionals who are exceptional at telling Bay’s story and who are ready to work with a strategic leader.
This role presents an opportunity to make a lasting impact on Bay’s future by attracting, enrolling, and retaining students that will thrive in the school’s innovative learning environment. Bay looks forward to welcoming the director of admissions and strategy, a new role for Bay that will report directly to the head of school and begin later this spring or summer.
12M & Ed Tech Recruiting is running the search on behalf of The Bay School. Applications received by March 2 will receive priority review. For application instructions and the full job opportunity statement, please visit:
www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/Bay/Admissions
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Priority Deadline: March 2, 2025
Hiring Team Interviews: March
On-site Final Round: Early April
Decision Announced: Mid-April
Start Date: Spring / Summer 2025
Salary Range: $160,000 – $200,000
Reports To: Head of School
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
DUTIES
Admissions & Long-Term Strategy
Develop and implement a multi-year admissions strategy that aligns with
Bay’s mission, academic priorities, and financial sustainability.
Set and refine enrollment, retention, and financial aid goals in collaboration with the head of school, senior leadership, and trustees.
Use data analysis and demographic insights to track trends, guide decision-making, and ensure enrollment targets are met.
Ensure a transparent, ethical, and mission-aligned admissions process that provides a positive experience for prospective families.
Data-Driven Admissions Operations
Assess and refine the admissions process to improve efficiency, enhance the prospective student experience, and increase conversion rates.
Leverage data and market research to track trends, evaluate outreach efforts, and adjust strategies as needed to meet enrollment goals.
Oversee financial aid policies and allocation.
Build and maintain relationships with feeder schools, community partners, and educational organizations to expand Bay’s applicant pipeline.
Departmental Leadership & General Administration
Lead and develop a high-performing admissions team, providing clear roles, professional growth opportunities, and day-to-day guidance.
Work closely with other leaders to ensure alignment between admissions, student experience, and retention efforts.
Implement streamlined, data-informed admissions processes to enhance efficiency and the applicant experience.
Manage the admissions budget and provide regular reports on enrollment trends, financial aid, and recruitment outcomes.
Report directly to the head of school and perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES
Professional Qualifications
Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; advanced coursework or degree preferred
Demonstrated success designing and implementing robust recruitment and sustained admissions in an educational institution including: developing a blueprint to attract prospective students; managing an admissions office team; and establishing guidelines and requirements for recruiting, admitting, and enrolling students
Proven ability to develop and implement strategic enrollment plans, manage a team, and establish clear guidelines for recruitment, admissions, and retention
Experience utilizing data systems to track, analyze, and optimize admissions and enrollment processes
High proficiency with technology, including Google Suite and admissions management platforms
Familiarity with Bay Area independent school enrollment trends and market dynamics is preferred
Personal and Leadership Qualities
An innovative and adaptable mindset, with a willingness to explore new approaches to student recruitment and engagement
Exceptional communication skills, both written and public speaking, with the ability to connect with diverse audiences
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with robust analytical and problem-solving skills to manage multiple priorities effectively
A relational and empathetic leadership style to mentor and develop a high-performing team
Good judgment and discretion, and the ability to foster collaborative relationships while maintaining confidentiality
Deep cultural competency and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
An alignment with The Bay School mission, philosophy, and precepts
An eagerness to actively participate in the full life of a high school, including admissions, development, and community events that may occur outside of standard working hours
TO APPLY
For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.
