Marketing and Admissions Director

Supervisor: Principal

Position Start Date: July 2024

Position Description: The Marketing and Admissions Director plays a pivotal role at KIS by overseeing the Admissions and Marketing functions. This executive role requires a blend of strategic thinking, creativity, and leadership skills to promote our educational philosophy, values, and programs on a global scale.

The ideal candidate for this role will have the responsibility of not only developing but also implementing impactful marketing strategies to enhance our school's reputation globally, drive growth, and increase student enrollment. The Marketing and Admissions Director is an integral part of the financial aid committee, taking charge of scholarship programs and facilitating the school’s student exchange and immersion program.

Qualifications and Professional Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred)

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in an admissions and marketing role, preferably in an IB or international school setting

• Strong understanding of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and international education landscape

• Have knowledge of the process and requirements of admissions appropriate for an international boarding school

• Proven experience in developing and executing successful sales, Marketing and Admissions strategies, preferably in the education sector or international markets

• Strong communication skills

• Strong digital marketing skills and familiarity with current marketing technologies and platforms

• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills and presentation skills

• Strong analytical skills and data-driven thinking

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and commitment to diversity and inclusion

• Competency in computer use; knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and database management

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership:

• Lead and mentor the KISCO Office (Admissions and Marketing team), fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including parents, students, alumni, and partners, to build a supportive and collaborative community.

Brand Management:

• Cultivate and promote the school's brand identity, ensuring consistency and high standards across all marketing materials and communication channels.

Digital Marketing:

• Oversee digital marketing strategies, including website management, social media marketing, SEO/SEM, and online advertising to increase online presence and engagement.

Content Creation and Management:

• Lead the creation of compelling marketing content, including brochures, videos, newsletters, and press releases, that accurately reflects the school's ethos and educational offerings.

Public Relations and Communications:

• Manage sensitive communications, addressing concerns or complaints in a professional and empathetic manner.
• Manage public relations efforts, establishing strong media relations and handling crisis communication, to maintain and enhance the school's public image.

New Students Recruiting:

• Determine sources of potential and prospective students
• Plan recruitment trips, attend and represent the school to various locations in India and overseas
• Program and host in-person, webinars or virtual Q&A sessions to address common inquiries and provide prospective families detailed insights into the school’s offerings.
• Develop personalized communication strategies for engaging with prospective families
• Determine the best advertising media and prepare appropriate material with the Marketing Officer
• Meet and relate well with a wide range of prospective parents and their children
• Be familiar in all aspects of the operation of this educational institution to be able to answer any questions that prospective families might have
• Plan and execute the New Student Orientation program each semester, working with the Marketing and Admissions Coordinators

Management of Exchanges and Immersion Programs:

• Lead the development and promotion of student exchange and immersion programs, partnering with international institutions to provide diverse learning experiences.
• Create marketing campaigns that highlight the benefits and unique opportunities of these programs, targeting both current and prospective students.
• Oversee the coordination and communication of program details, ensuring a seamless experience for students and families.
• Collaborate with educational and administrative staff to align these programs with the school’s educational goals and standards.
• Monitor and analyze the impact of exchange and immersion programs on student engagement and school reputation, using insights to enhance program offerings and marketing strategies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with partner institutions and organizations to ensure high-quality and mutually beneficial programs.
• Ensure compliance with international educational standards and regulations in the execution of these programs.

Scholarship and Financial Aid:

• Serve as a link between the scholarship/financial aid committee and the prospective families.
• Design and revise admission and scholarship forms as necessary
• Assemble and process all scholarship and financial aid materials necessary for informed consideration by the scholarship/financial aid committee, input data to electronic admissions summary sheet that can be assessed by members of the committee
• Active participant in all decision-making meeting from the committee
• Provide Finance Office with necessary information on new students and scholarship recipients

Admissions Policy Updates:

• Stay informed about changes in IB curriculum and educational trends to ensure the admissions process aligns with the latest educational standards.
• Regularly review and update the school's admissions policy in collaboration with the school leadership.

Diversity and Inclusion:

• Ensure that the admissions process supports the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Engage in outreach efforts to attract a diverse student body from various cultural, socioeconomic, and geographical backgrounds.

Training and Development:

• Participate in professional development opportunities related to marketing, admissions, student recruitment, and IB education.
• Train and support other staff members involved in the admissions process

Feedback and Continuous Improvement:

• Establish and maintain feedback channels to gather insights from families about their admissions or KIS experience, using this information to continuously improve communication strategies.
• Implement changes and enhancements to the admissions procedures based on feedback and emerging best practices in the field.

Budgeting and Reporting:

• Annually plan and manage the budget for the KISCO Office, ensuring effective allocation of resources for maximum impact.
• Provide statistics on enrollment and scholarships to the Principal, Administration and Council, evaluate data to predict trends and to provide basis for future school development and budget planning
• Prepare reports and present to the council for the board meetings

Collaboration with the Development Director:

• Establish a close working relationship with the Development Director to align Marketing and development strategies, ensuring a cohesive approach to school advancement.
• Collaborate on joint initiatives, such as fundraising campaigns, alumni relations, and community events, leveraging marketing resources to enhance these efforts.
• Coordinate messaging and communications to ensure consistency across Marketing and development materials, aligning with the school's brand and mission.
• Support the Development Director in identifying and engaging potential donors, sponsors, and partners, using marketing insights and tools to attract and retain support.
• Assist in the planning and promotion of major school events, including galas, donor recognition events, and community outreach programs, maximizing their impact and visibility.
• Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring that Marketing and development teams work synergistically towards common goals.
• Participate in strategic planning sessions with the Development Director and other key stakeholders, contributing marketing expertise to advance the school's overall mission and objectives.

Other Responsibilities

• Support KIS guiding principles
• Maintain clear and open channels of communication with the Principal
• Other duties as assigned by the administration