Assistant Director of Lower School Admission

The Assistant Director of Lower School Admission plays a key role in both leading and supporting the recruitment and admissions process for students entering Junior-Kindergarten through 5th grade at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, a vibrant and inclusive pluralistic Jewish day school. The Assistant Director will work to ensure that all families receive exceptional service and that the Lower School enrollment process aligns with the school’s mission and values. A core part of the work is ongoing outreach and engagement with prospective families.

Reporting to the Director of Engagement and Lower School Admission, the new Assistant Director will have an experienced and committed partner in this work. We envision strong collaboration initially; over time, we expect the Assistant Director to lead this work increasingly independently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Admissions Process:
  • Partner with the Director of Engagement and Lower School Admission in managing the entire admissions process for Pre-K through 5th grade, including organizing campus tours, interviews, and follow-up communications.
  • Coordinate and host recruitment events, such as open houses, informational sessions, and family outreach initiatives.
  • Maintain regular communication with prospective families to answer questions and provide updates on the admissions process.
  • Work with and manage the Admission Committee process; review applications, manage school observations, and work to ensure that accepted students are in line with the school’s admission criteria.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Engagement and Lower School Admission, Lower School Principal, and Lower School Director of Educational Support Services to make decisions regarding student placement and enrollment.
  • Create meaningful relationships with local preschool directors to support open lines of communication when evaluating prospective students.
• Outreach & Recruitment Support:
  • Help identify and engage prospective families through targeted outreach, including working with feeder schools and community organizations.
  • Assist in creating and executing marketing strategies for recruitment, including social media campaigns, email communications, and print materials.
  • Represent the school at recruitment events, school fairs, and community gatherings to promote CESJDS and build relationships with prospective families.
  • Plan and implement Open House events, as well as other recruitment events throughout the year, both at CESJDS, as well as at partner institutions.
• Student and Family Engagement:
  • Support new families throughout the enrollment process, ensuring that they have a smooth transition to the school community.
  • Provide personalized follow-up to prospective families, answering questions regarding curriculum, financial aid, and school values.
  • Foster a warm and welcoming environment for new families, ensuring they feel supported and informed.
  • Establish and maintain the summer onboarding process for new families, included but not limited to new family buddies and orientation planning.
  • Work collaboratively with Parent Ambassadors focused on engagement and enrollment.
• Administrative Support:
  • Maintain detailed records of all prospective families and applicants in the school’s database.
  • Manage the logistics of admissions events, including scheduling, room set-ups, and coordination with other staff members.
• Collaboration with Lower School Faculty & Administration:
  • Collaborate with the Director of Engagement and Lower School Admission, the Lower School leadership team, and faculty to ensure a seamless admissions experience for prospective families.
  • Participate in regular meetings with the Director to strategize on goals, challenges, and admissions trends.
  • In collaboration with the Lower School Administration and Lower School guidance team, assist in coordinating the transition of new students into the Lower School, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported by staff.
• Data Management & Reporting:
  • Assist in tracking and analyzing admissions data to monitor trends and make recommendations for future improvements.
  • Support the Director in preparing admissions reports for school leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• At least 3 years of experience in school admissions, enrollment management, or a related field, preferably in an independent or Jewish day school setting.
• Strong understanding of Jewish culture, traditions, and values is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage prospective families, faculty, and staff.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and admissions software (e.g., Blackbaud, Ravenna, Finalsite Enrollment) desired but not required.
• Detail-oriented, with excellent follow-through and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• A passion for education and a commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and joyous school community.
• Reliable personal transportation.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Occasional lifting of materials and supplies, up to 20 lbs.

To learn more about this opportunity, and to apply, please visit https://www.cesjds.org/about/work-at-cesjds.

Why Join Us?
At CESJDS, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing, dynamic, and inclusive environment for all of our students. As the Assistant Director of Lower School Admission, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our school community, guiding new families through the admissions process. We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and a supportive work environment where your contributions are valued.

The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without unlawful consideration of race, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The School encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.