Associate Director of Admission

Job Title: Associate Director of Admission

Division/Department: Office of Admission and Financial Aid

Reports To: Director of Enrollment Management

Location: Palos Verdes, CA

Level/Grade: K-12 

Type of position/FLSA: Full-time Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

Chadwick School seeks a relational, strategic, and mission-driven leader to serve as Associate Director of Admission. This role is ideal for a thoughtful professional who understands that admission work is both analytical and deeply personal, and who can tell Chadwick’s story with authenticity while guiding families through a process that is warm, clear, and aligned with our values.

Reporting directly to the Director of Enrollment Management, the Associate Director will help lead strategy and execution for recruitment and enrollment at one of Chadwick’s primary entry points (Kindergarten, Grade 6, or Grade 9). The Associate Director will steward families from inquiry through enrollment with care and clarity, while contributing to broader enrollment planning and yield strategy. A strong understanding of the independent school landscape, including the competitive realities of excellent local public schools and peer institutions, is essential, as is the ability to confidently articulate Chadwick’s distinct value.

In addition to managing an entry-point enrollment funnel, this role helps to manage all admission events, ensuring every detail contributes to a welcoming and seamless experience for prospective families. Working closely with Facilities, Dining Services, Communications, faculty, and the admission team, the Associate Director coordinates event logistics, timelines, and execution so that each program reflects Chadwick's warmth, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate integrity, empathy, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills. They will be able to communicate authentically and effectively with students, parents, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds to build trust and confidence throughout the admission process.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT & PRIMARY ENTRY POINT ADMISSION LEADERSHIP

• Design and oversee a thoughtful admissions journey, from inquiry to enrollment, that reflects Chadwick’s warmth, personalization, and professionalism.
• Serve as a visible, welcoming, and trusted presence for prospective families throughout the admission process.
• Serve as the primary lead for parent conversations, student evaluations, admission committee work, and onboarding of new families at a primary entry point (Kindergarten, Grade 6, or Grade 9), while supporting the admission process across other grades as needed.
• Provide strong leadership and collaboration in the design and execution of campus tours, visit days, and admission events that authentically showcase the Chadwick experience and sense of community.
• Maintain accurate records and data related to prospective and admitted students, ensuring timely and efficient communication

EVENT MANAGEMENT

• Coordinate the planning and execution of admission events, including Open Houses, campus tours, shadow days, and other campus events.
• Collaborate with admission colleagues, faculty, students, and parent volunteers to deliver organized, welcoming events that reflect Chadwick's mission and community
• Partner with Facilities, Dining Services, Communications, Technology, and other campus departments to coordinate event logistics, room reservations, setup, catering, signage, audiovisual needs, and scheduling.
• Develop and maintain event timelines, registration processes, and event communications to ensure seamless operations.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

• Partner with Chadwick parent and student volunteers to strengthen the recruiting process; oversee Middle School Jr. Admirals.
• Build the pool of inquiries and applications through school visits, fairs, recruiting events, outreach efforts.
• Maintain and build relationships with current and potential sending schools.
• Collaborate with external groups and community-based organizations to encourage and support applications from underrepresented students.

• Be on campus from approximately 8:00 am until 4:00 pm on days when school is in session; have flexibility to work evenings and weekends for events and admissions-related activities
• Read and follow academic policies outlined in the relevant division Handbook
• Model the Chadwick Core Values and foster joyful, inclusive learning and collaborative environments.
• Attend all faculty and staff meetings and professional development days.
• Represent Chadwick at appropriate professional meetings (e.g.: LAIS, EMA, AISAP, NAIS, etc).
• Read and follow employment policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.

• Bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of two years of experience in an independent school or college admission office
• Experience in a external-facing role (such as leading tours, events, and/or presentations)
• Strong communication skills including writing, listening, and public speaking
• Demonstrated ability to hold information in confidence and to set appropriate limits
• A familiarity with database management, Google Suite, and Zoom; knowledge of Veracross is a plus
• An understanding of, and commitment to, Chadwick's Mission and Core Values
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects concurrently, often with competing priorities
• Must pass or clear required health and background checks

Compensation: $105,000 to 130,000 - salary based on years of experience, credentials and other qualifications.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

• Required to lift and carry up to a maximum of 25 lbs., in a correct manner consistent with the appropriate training provided by the School.
• Occasionally required to use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment.
• Walking and being outdoors for somewhat extended periods of time on a regular basis is part of the job as the school sits on 45 acres of land.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.
• Will extensively use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.  This may include warm, hot, or cold temperatures.  The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

CLEARANCES

Required Screenings: TB assessment Clearances: Livescan background check

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the position.

By submitting an Employment Application, I hereby understand and agree that consistent with its obligations under Education Code Section 44051 subd. (a)(2) and as a part of the application consideration process, Chadwick School will contact each Educational Employer and inquire about your employment history including, without limitation, whether I was the subject of any credible complaints of, substantiated investigations into, or discipline for, egregious misconduct, as defined in Education Code Section 44932, subd. (a)(1).