Director of Admissions

Headwaters School, a Pre-K through grade 12 independent day school serving over 500 students across its three campuses in Austin, TX, is seeking a full-time Director of Admissions to begin Summer 2025. 

The Director of Admissions is directly responsible for stewarding interested families and students through the admissions process. This position works closely as part of a three-person team to develop and implement strategies to meet the enrollment goals for Headwaters School. This position reports directly to the Senior Director for Enrollment Management. As part of the enrollment team, the Director of Admissions is primarily responsible for admissions and enrollment on the Early Childhood and Elementary School campuses. 

At Headwaters, our faculty and staff nurture a school culture that promotes a growth mindset, a collaborative spirit, a joyful environment, and the achievement of high expectations. Our faculty and staff ensure all members of our school community understand their role in advancing issues of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Headwaters School supports the professional growth of our employees in order to contribute to their feelings of fulfillment, to provide a model of lifelong learning for our students, and to advance the strategic goals of the school.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, required
• Background in teaching, independent school administration, and/or nonprofit work, required
• 3-5 years experience in an independent school setting or higher education admissions office setting is preferred
• Exceptional communication skills needed both speaking and writing, and in providing presentations to large groups
• Exceptional organizational skills needed
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of colleagues and stakeholders
• Proficiency in data analysis and experience using enrollment management systems (Blackbaud, Veracross, Ravenna, etc.)
• Adaptability, resilience, and growth mindset strongly desired
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices 
• Appreciation for and understanding of the development of students from preschool age to senior year of high school
• Knowledge of Montessori philosophy and curriculum, preferred
• Experience in standard computer and software applications related to student data, email, databases, spreadsheets, and the development of presentations
• Commitment to working in collaborative team-based environments

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities: 

Admissions and Enrollment

• Manage and oversee outreach, recruitment, applications, tours, enrollment, and retention of families and students interested in joining the Headwaters Early Childhood and/or Elementary programs
• In collaboration with the admissions team, create and execute a compelling admissions process that showcases an honest and inclusive view into school life
• Steward the admissions decision process alongside a committee of stakeholders
• Serve on the financial aid committee for all financial aid applicants each year 
• In conjunction with the business office, facilitate admission offers of enrollment 
• In collaboration with the admissions team, create and execute yield events to enroll new families and students
• Welcome new families and facilitate a handoff process to appropriate departments (academics and development)
• Build community by maintaining strong relationships with prospective and current families and by building and maintaining strong relationships with faculty and staff
• Analyze exit interviews to identify attrition patterns and communicate findings to the Senior Director for Enrollment Management

Strategic work: 

• Support the development of a strategic enrollment management plan 
• Participate in the development of a strategic marketing and communications plan that supports the strategic enrollment plan once approved

Additional tasks 

• Serve as a member of the broader Operations & Logistics team, working to accomplish the institutional goals set by the Head of School in collaboration with the Board of Trustees
• Work closely with the marketing and communications colleague(s) to ensure alignment in message, tone, and school marketing content
• Maintain strategic data on admissions, enrollment, and retention trends to inform ongoing decision making

Additional duties assigned to employee:

• Attend school events/meetings including:
• Weekly Campus Tours
• Admission Open Houses
• Campus and school-wide fundraisers
• Parent Education Events
• Community-building events
• Other school functions as deemed necessary by the Head of School

• Abide by the Headwaters Employee Manual

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position and compensation is competitive for the greater Austin area. The School offers a wide-range of benefits including generous paid time off, 100% paid medical insurance for the employee, a 401(k) retirement plan, on-going professional support and continuing education opportunities, 50% tuition remission for enrolled children of full-time school employees, and a unique working environment where you are able to share and receive ongoing feedback.

Interested applicants should email a resume, cover letter, personal statement/educational philosophy statement, and three to five references with contact information to Leslie Hirsch, Director of Human Resources at hr@headwaters.org or go to the Headwaters School Employment website to apply. 

Headwaters School welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. As a 501(c)3 non-profit school, Headwaters School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other classes protected by federal, state, or local anti-discrimination law. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotion, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. All Employees are responsible for complying with the School’s equal employment opportunity policy.