Director of Admissions: Admissions and Outreach in Winchester, Massachusetts at Acera School

About Acera
Acera is an independent K - 9 school where rigorous academics meet creativity and curiosity. We believe gifted students deserve to be challenged and learn according to their abilities and interests without a ceiling. Through individualized learning pathways, advanced math and science, and project-based learning, students think deeply, take intellectual risks, and discover their potential. We safeguard each child’s spirit and innate curiosity, helping gifted learners become their best selves and develop as the next generation of innovators, scientists, and leaders.

Position Overview
Acera seeks a proactive, systems- and relationship-oriented director for this new position, created to expand community outreach, recruit prospective students, and help the school reach its enrollment goals. This role requires a regular, active presence in the community - building relationships, developing referral partnerships, and bringing prospective families to Acera.

This position joins an admissions team that includes the Director of Admissions and Family Engagement, the Deputy Director of Advancement and Families, and the Head of School. The director partners closely with the Director of Admissions and Family Engagement to align plans and coordinate efforts to achieve enrollment goals.

Primary Responsibilities

Community Outreach and Recruitment
- Develop and implement annual recruitment and enrollment plans aligned with Acera’s enrollment goals, grade-level openings, and student fit.
- Build relationships with educational consultants, psychologists, pediatric professionals, preschool directors, educators, parent groups, libraries, and community organizations.
- Generate prospective-family interest and referrals through personal outreach, school fairs, professional gatherings, community events, and partner visits.
- Sustain referral relationships through consistent follow-up and opportunities to experience Acera.
- Use recruitment results and local market insights to identify opportunities and adjust outreach priorities.

Prospective-Family Engagement
- Respond promptly to inquiries, lead introductory conversations and campus tours, and explain Acera’s educational approach and admissions process.
- Partner with the Director of Admissions and Family Engagement to organize open houses, information sessions, and community recruitment events.
- Engage faculty, staff, and parent, student, and alumni-family ambassadors in recruitment.
- Maintain personal follow-up and coordinate transitions to applications, interviews, student visits, admissions review, and enrollment.
- Participate in parent interviews and admissions discussions as appropriate.

Admissions Communications and Marketing
- Partner with the Deputy Director to plan and deliver admissions marketing through website content, newsletters, social media, and recruitment materials.
- Design and implement a social media plan to support recruitment and increase enrollment.
- Maintain a coordinated communications calendar and use digital channels to promote events and generate inquiries.

Enrollment Planning, Operations, and Team Collaboration
- Partner with the Director of Admissions and Family Engagement to ensure recruitment and enrollment plans are aligned and coordinated to achieve Acera’s enrollment goals.
- Establish and maintain operational processes that promote Acera School and support enrollment, including inquiry management, event coordination, referral tracking, timely follow-up, and transitions between admissions stages.
- Monitor and analyze enrollment trends throughout the recruitment cycle, using findings to assess progress, identify gaps, and adjust recruitment strategies.
- Maintain accurate records in Ravenna of prospective families, referral partners, outreach activities, and follow-up.
- Report on inquiries, applications, conversion rates, referral sources, event participation, and progress toward enrollment goals.
- Meet regularly with the admissions team to review the pipeline, coordinate responsibilities, assess capacity, and forecast enrollment.
- Use data and family feedback to improve recruitment, messaging, operational processes, and the admissions experience.
- Support onboarding, retention, and financial-aid communications in coordination with the Director of Admissions and Family Engagement and relevant colleagues.

Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent relevant professional experience.
- Experience in admissions; recruitment, communications, or community engagement and independent-school experience preferred.
- Demonstrated success building relationships and translating outreach into measurable recruitment results.
- Confidence initiating connections, representing an organization in the community, and sustaining relationships through consistent follow-up.
- Strong interpersonal, writing, presentation, organizational, and project-management skills.
- Experience with social media, marketing materials, and storytelling.
- Proficiency with Google Workspace and admissions databases or CRM systems; Ravenna and/or Veracross experience preferred.
- Ability to analyze data, manage budgets, and turn findings into action.
- Initiative, sound judgment, cultural awareness, discretion, and an interest in gifted education and Acera’s approach.

Work Schedule and Expectations
This full-time, year-round position requires regular community outreach, local travel, and evening and weekend participation in recruitment events and school activities. The weekly schedule may be adjusted with the supervisor to accommodate these commitments.