Director of Enrollment and Marketing in Rancho Mirage, California at PALM VALLEY SCHOOL

PALM VALLEY SCHOOL Director of Enrollment and Marketing Website: www.pvs.org FLSA Status: Exempt Prepared Date: 05-08-2026 Effective Date: 07-01-2026 Hiring Manager Job Title: Head of School Job Level: Individual Contributor Employment Status: Full-time Regular Primary Location: Rancho Mirage, CA Job Summary The Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing is a key administrative role that serves as a member of the administrative team and reports directly to the Head of School. This position is responsible for leading the Admissions Office and fostering relationships within the school community. It is their responsibility to help convey the mission, culture, and core values of the school. This is a leadership position that requires the ability to develop and project the vision of the Palm Valley School. This is a highly collaborative position that requires strong interpersonal skills, excellent communication and diplomacy. Education and Experience • Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. • Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in admissions, preferably in an independent school setting. • Proficiency in using student information systems (SIS), customer relationship management (CRM) software, and other relevant technology. Knowledge • Independent School Admissions Best Practices: A deep understanding of the unique nuances of independent school admissions, including the application process, interview techniques, testing requirements, financial aid considerations, and the importance of mission alignment. • Enrollment Management Principles: Knowledge of strategic enrollment management concepts, including market analysis, recruitment strategies, yield management, retention efforts (as it relates to the initial enrollment), and the development of key performance indicators (KPIs). • Student Information Systems (SIS) and CRM Software: A working knowledge of how these systems function to manage applicant data, track communication, generate reports, and streamline the admissions process. Familiarity with specific platforms commonly used in independent schools would be beneficial. • Marketing and Communications Strategies: An understanding of effective marketing and communication techniques to reach prospective families, including digital marketing, social media engagement, content creation, and branding. Knowledge of how to collaborate with the marketing team is also important. • Data Analysis and Reporting: The ability to create, interpret admissions data, identify trends, and generate reports to inform strategic decision-making. This includes understanding key metrics like application numbers, acceptance rates, yield rates, and demographic data. • Legal and Ethical Considerations in Admissions: Awareness of relevant laws and ethical guidelines related to admissions practices, student privacy (FERPA), SEVIS Program, and non-discrimination. • The Independent School Landscape: Familiarity with the broader independent school market, including competitor schools, feeder school relationships, educational consultants, and relevant industry associations. • Child Development and Educational Trends: A general understanding of child development stages and current trends in education in order to assess applicants and understand the needs of prospective families. • Financial Aid Processes: The Director has a working knowledge of the principles and processes involved and the ability to explain the process to families. • The School's Specific Mission, Values, and Programs: A thorough understanding of the school's unique identity, academic programs, extracurricular offerings, and community culture is essential for recruiting mission-appropriate students. • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Principles: Knowledge of best practices in recruiting and enrolling a diverse student body and fostering an inclusive environment. • Budget Management: Understand how to develop and manage an admissions budget effectively. Skills • Strategic Thinking and Planning: The ability to develop and implement long-term enrollment strategies aligned with the school's mission and goals. This involves analyzing data, understanding market trends, and setting measurable objectives. • Recruitment and Outreach Expertise: Skilled at identifying, attracting, and engaging prospective families through various channels, both traditional and innovative. This includes planning effective events, building relationships with feeder schools, and leveraging digital platforms. • Admissions Process Management: Strong organizational skills to oversee the entire admissions cycle, from application to enrollment. This includes managing timelines, coordinating committees, ensuring a smooth applicant experience, and maintaining accurate records. • Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication for interacting with prospective families, current families, faculty, and other stakeholders. Building rapport, active listening, and clear articulation are key. • Relationship Building: Adept at fostering strong connections with various individuals and organizations to support recruitment efforts. This includes cultivating relationships with educational consultants, community leaders, and alumni. • Data Analysis and Interpretation: Is comfortable working with data to track progress, evaluate the effectiveness of strategies, and make informed decisions about recruitment efforts. This includes understanding key metrics and generating reports. • Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with student information systems (SIS), customer relationship management (CRM) software, and other relevant technology is necessary for managing admissions processes and communication effectively. • Ethical Conduct and Confidentiality: Handle sensitive applicant information and adhere to ethical standards and confidentiality protocols. • Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Analyze situations, identify solutions, and make sound decisions in a timely manner. • Adaptability and Flexibility: Be adaptable to changing circumstances and be willing to adjust strategies as needed. • Passion for the School's Mission: Have a genuine commitment to the school's values and a passion for its unique offerings to effectively represent the institution to prospective families. Work Context The work context for the Director of Enrollment and Marketing at Palm Valley School is multifaceted and involves a blend of office-based administrative work, direct interaction with people, and external representation of the school. Here's a breakdown of key aspects: Work Environment: • Office Setting: The Director will likely have a dedicated office space on the school campus, serving as a hub for administrative tasks, meetings with the admissions team, and individual appointments with prospective families. • School Campus: A significant portion of the work will take place on the school campus, including conducting tours, hosting events (open houses, information sessions), and interacting with faculty, staff, and current students. • External Locations: The role will also involve travel to represent the school at off-campus events such as school fairs, recruitment events at feeder schools, and potentially conferences or workshops. Interactions and Relationships: • Prospective Families: A primary focus will be on building relationships with prospective students and their families, guiding them through the admissions process, answering their questions, and showcasing the school's value. • Admissions Team: The Director will lead and collaborate closely with the admissions team. • Head of School and Senior Leadership: Regular communication and collaboration with the Head of School and other senior administrators. • Faculty and Staff: Collaboration with faculty and staff to understand the academic programs and school culture, and to involve them in the admissions process (e.g., classroom visits, interviews). • Current Students and Families: Engaging current students and families as ambassadors for the school. • Alumni: Building relationships with alumni and work with the alumni committee. • Feeder Schools and Educational Consultants: Develop and maintain relationships with external partners to build a strong applicant pool. Work Schedule and Demands: • Varied Hours: The role often requires flexibility, with the need to work some evenings and weekends to accommodate recruitment events, open houses, and deadlines. • Peak Seasons: Admissions offices typically experience peak activity during application deadlines and enrollment periods, requiring the Director to manage a high workload and prioritize effectively. • Travel: Some travel may be required for off-campus recruitment events and conferences. • Technology Dependence: The role relies heavily on technology for managing data, communication, and marketing efforts. • Fast-Paced Environment: The admissions process can be dynamic and require the ability to respond quickly to inquiries and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. • Goal-Oriented: The Director will be responsible for meeting enrollment targets and demonstrating the effectiveness of their strategies through data and reporting. Overall Culture: • The work context will be heavily influenced by the specific culture of Palm Valley School. This could range from a highly collaborative and community-focused environment to a more traditional and hierarchical structure. Understanding the school's values and norms is crucial for success. Primary Job Duties • Strategic Leadership and Planning • Recruitment and Outreach • Admissions Process Management • Communication and Relationship Building • Team Leadership and Collaboration • Data Analysis and Reporting • Marketing: Tools and Technology • Blackbaud • Google Suite • Office Suite The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.