Director of Admission

Portsmouth Abbey School is seeking a Director of Admission to lead the admission and financial aid office. Founded in 1926 and owned by the Order of St. Benedict, Portsmouth Abbey School is the nation’s premier co-educational, Catholic, Benedictine boarding and day school. Admission to Portsmouth is selective and the school is fully enrolled with 360 boys and girls. The magnificent campus is ideally situated on the shores of Narragansett Bay with easy access of Newport, Providence, and Boston.

Responsibilities

  • develop and implement successful new student recruitment strategies that meet the strategic goals of the school with consultation with the Headmaster
  • management of all personnel of admission office
  • manage Admissions Committee processes and operations
  • review admissions criteria, processes, and requirements annually
  • approve all admission candidates’ decisions
  • approve all financial aid decisions of new and returning students with the Headmaster and Director of Financial Aid
  • oversee all data, systems, and records in the Admissions Office, and prepare regular enrollment reports. Maintain confidentiality of all records
  • plan, implement and execute the marketing and messaging of the School with the assistance of the Office of Communications to include print and electronic marketing.
  • prepare and present admissions updates to the faculty
  • report to the Board of Regents quarterly
  • management of the Admission Office budget
  • assist Headmaster’s Office with returning student enrollment
  • work collaboratively with other Headmaster Council members including but not limited to Alumni and Development Office, Student Life, College Counseling and summer programs
  • perform other duties as assigned by the Headmaster
  • report to the Headmaster
  • faculty status; exempt, full-time
  • live on campus in faculty housing

Common Duties of an Admission Officer at Portsmouth Abbey School

  • understand and transmit the mission and vision of the school to a wide array of constituents
  • responsible for interviewing prospective students and families
  • producing written evaluations of candidates interviewed
  • appropriate follow up with interested inquiries and applicants
  • maintaining relationships with sending schools, educational consultants, and programs
  • travel to promote the School to include school visits, fairs, and regional receptions
  • throughout the United States, and trips to Asia, Caribbean, and Central America to schools, fairs, and regional receptions
  • read and evaluate applications as a member of the Admission Committee
  • work to enhance the perceived academic rigor of Portsmouth Abbey through various messaging projects
  • collaborate with Admissions Office to plan, organize, and execute a cohesive messaging campaign over the course of the inquiry to enrollment cycle
  • keep the needs and interests of the candidate first, to be a role model for current students, and to represent the school well
  • willing to work nights and weekends

Characteristics

  • 7 or more years substantial experience admissions at an independent school and/or in a selective college’s admission office
  • breadth of skills and knowledge of admission and financial aid practices and ability to set strategies to enhance enrollment
  • detailed and data driven yet understands the nuances of decision making in the market
  • strong written and verbal communication skills to assist the communications office with marketing and branding and understands the multiple communication platforms
  • strong leadership to manage admission team, work collaboratively with other external offices and to have a visible presence in PAS community, forging relationships with faculty/staff, students, parents, alumni and community
  • influential spokesperson who can speak to adults and students and make them understand the mission of the school
  • exhibits flexibility and can consider different points of views and compromise when needed
  • disciplined listener with the ability to absorb and consider different opinions resulting in meaningful and productive dialogue
  • reliable
  • a bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred

Applying for the Position

Interested candidates are asked to submit only an electronic file with their resume, a one to two-page cover letter, and names and contact information of three references directed to Meghan Fonts at mfonts@portsmouthabbey.org. Please submit materials no later than June 30, 2021.