Marketing and Admissions Director

As Director of Admissions & Marketing (DAM) at The British School of Kuwait (BSK) and at The Sunshine Kindergarten (TSK), you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future students looking to join the school and be part of our vibrant learning community. As often the bridge between our families and the school, you'll cultivate meaningful relationships with families throughout their journey. From sparking initial interest to building committed advocates, you'll guide them with empathy, expertise and a dedication to fostering their children's growth within our nurturing environment.

The school's mission is to provide an education that is rigorous in setting and ensuring the achievement of high standards both by staff and students; rounded in the experience it offers across a broad and balanced range of subjects; and relevant in the preparation of students in the demands and expectations of colleges, universities and modern professions. With that mission, you will oversee an admissions process that identifies students with the potential to access and excel at BSK.

Your leadership will be a catalyst for growth. You will guide, coach and develop your team to cultivate their astute commercial skills, tap into their creative potential and put the needs of the community at the centre of everything we do. You'll be the voice that amplifies the school's messages, sharing its story with infectious enthusiasm whilst building enduring connections with families and beyond.

Job Posting Closing Date: 21 Nov 2024, first round interviews to start in the week following this date.

• Collaborate with senior leadership and regional colleagues to set the strategic direction for enrolment, including admissions procedures, branding, communication channels, digital outreach, and research priorities.
• Contribute to the development of a multi-year enrolment strategy aligned with the school's strategic plan, establishing clear enrolment goals and targeted initiatives.
• Provide expert analysis and insights on opportunities and challenges within the admissions landscape, focusing on applicant trends, competitor strengths/weaknesses, and internal process optimisation.
• Participate in strategic planning sessions to align the enrolment plan with the school's vision and mission, prioritising efficient applicant recruitment and seamless transition to enrolment.
• Develop and implement targeted campaigns across various channels (online, offline, events) to attract qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, meeting enrolment targets.
• Design a streamlined and engaging admissions process that guides applicants from inquiry to successful enrolment, minimising application friction and maximising conversion rates.
• Leverage data analytics to optimise resource allocation, campaign effectiveness, and overall process efficiency, maximising resources for applicant outreach and support.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to ensure the admissions process aligns with the school's academic mission and fosters a positive applicant experience.
• Regularly track and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) specific to admissions (e.g., application numbers, conversion rates, yield rates) to measure progress towards enrolment goals.
• Develop and maintain accurate enrolment forecasts using internal and external data sources, including regular monitoring of contact movement within inbound, renewal, and outbound pipelines.
• Ensure clear and consistent communication to stakeholders regarding forecasting updates and pipeline trends, keeping leadership informed of potential enrolment risks and opportunities.
• Analyse pipeline data to identify trends and optimise lead conversion rates by focusing on applicant engagement, application completion, and communication effectiveness.
• Develop contingency plans to mitigate potential enrolment risks based on forecasting insights, adjusting outreach strategies and resource allocation to address potential shortfalls.
• Ensure efficient management of the enrolment pipeline through the use of CRM and other relevant tools, facilitating applicant tracking, communication, and progress monitoring.
• Track team performance through KPIs specific to admissions (e.g., application processing time, communication response time, conversion rates) to identify and address areas for improvement.
• Ensure user adoption of relevant tools (CRM, communication platforms) across your team to optimise internal collaboration and streamline applicant management.

Experience & Education

• Degree-educated, ideally with an academic background relevant to admissions or education, coupled with 7+ years' proven experience in brand-building, sales, marketing, or service delivery roles, preferably within the education sector.

Leadership & Teamwork

• A natural leader, inspiring and motivating a team to achieve ambitious enrolment goals. You bring a collaborative spirit and foster a positive, high-performing team environment.
• Astute communicator and relationship builder, connecting effectively with stakeholders at all levels, both internally (faculty, staff, leadership) and externally (prospective families, partners). You're a skilled influencer who champions the school's mission and vision with passion and persuasiveness.

Project Management & Initiative Launch

• An organisational maestro, tackling complex projects with a methodical approach and unwavering focus. You have a knack for mobilising resources, setting priorities, and driving initiatives to successful completion, even in fast-paced environments.

Data-Driven Decision Making

• Data-driven detective, passionate about uncovering actionable insights from numbers. You have a proven ability to capture, analyse, and interpret data, transforming it into strategic decisions that optimise enrolment efforts and resource allocation.

Digital Savvy & Footprint Enhancement

• A digital native, comfortable navigating the online world and understanding its intricacies. You bring a creative spark to the school's digital footprint, contributing to a compelling presence across owned, earned, and paid media channels.

Beyond Skills: Desirable Traits

• Strategic Visionary -You see the big picture and translate enrolment goals into clear, executable plans, aligning perfectly with the school's long-term vision.
• Unrelenting Optimist -Challenges are merely stepping stones in your eyes. You radiate infectious optimism and inspire confidence in yourself and your team.
• Cultural Bridge Builder -You embrace diversity and appreciate different perspectives, creating a welcoming environment for all.
• Agile Adaptability -You thrive in changing landscapes, adjusting strategies and approaches seamlessly to navigate unexpected twists and turns.
• Lifelong Learner -You possess a continuous hunger for knowledge and actively seek learning opportunities to stay ahead of the curve in admissions best practices.