Director of Admissions, Recruitment, & Engagement

Director of Admissions, Recruitment, & Engagement

Reports to: Head of School

Hours and Location:

• Full-time, on-site Monday–Thursday 8 am–4 pm; Friday 8 am–1:30 pm.
• Occasional nights or weekends as needed.

Salary: $100,000.00

Position Overview

The Director of Admissions, Recruitment, and Engagement is a senior leadership role responsible for driving student admissions, retention, and brand visibility at the Schechter School of Long Island.

This role unifies the school's admissions and marketing functions, overseeing the full journey from awareness to inquiry, admissions, and onboarding. The Director leads admissions strategy and relationship-building, supervises a Marketing & Communications Manager, and ensures that SSLI is seen, known, and trusted by prospective families across Long Island and beyond.

This position requires both strategic leadership and hands-on management, with clear accountability for admissions results. The Director is expected to meet admissions goals without compromising standards for mission alignment, academic readiness, or behavioral fit.

Ultimately, this role exists to attract new families who may otherwise never discover SSLI—and ensure those families are the right match for our community.

Primary Responsibilities

Admissions & Recruitment Leadership

• Serve as the school’s chief admissions and recruitment officer, accountable for attracting and enrolling mission-aligned families.
• Guide prospective families from inquiry through admissions and onboarding.
• Plan and lead prospective and new family events throughout the admissions cycle.
• Maintain high-touch relationships with prospective families.
• Oversee parent and student ambassador programs in coordination with the Marketing Manager.
• Lead the Admission Review Committee and admissions decision process.
• Set admissions targets and report on KPIs including inquiries, tour conversion, and yield.
• Ensure all admitted students meet SSLI’s academic, emotional, and behavioral expectations.
• Collaborate with faculty and division heads to evaluate applicants holistically.
• Coordinate onboarding communication for new families.

Marketing & Engagement Strategy

• Lead a high-impact, admissions-focused marketing strategy that drives visibility and results.
• Set marketing targets and budgets based on the # of inquiries, conversions and yield goals above.
• Supervise the Marketing & Communications Manager, providing clear direction and performance goals.
• Oversee digital, print, social media, and email campaigns that generate prospective family leads.
• Shape messaging that reflects SSLI’s academic excellence, values, and community.
• Represent SSLI publicly at preschools, synagogues, feeder schools, and community events.
• Supervise visibility efforts such as earned media, video storytelling, and outreach materials.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Marketing, Communications, Education, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Qualifications & Skills

• 5–7 years of experience in admissions, recruitment, marketing, or external relations roles — preferably in an independent school or mission-driven environment
• Demonstrated success building relationships with prospective families and guiding them through an admissions process
• Proven ability to develop and lead marketing strategies that drive admissions outcomes
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills — warm, persuasive, and clear with families and community members
• Effective public speaker and representative of a school’s values and culture
• Highly organized and data-literate; comfortable using CRM and analytics tools to inform strategy
• Prior experience supervising staff or managing contractors a plus
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred (see education note above)
• Passion for Jewish education and alignment with SSLI’s mission

Why Join SSLI?

This is a rare opportunity to own and lead the entire admissions and marketing engine at a school with momentum, values, and a growing reputation. You’ll work closely with school leadership to shape the future of our school and bring more families into our vibrant Jewish community.