Director of Enrollment

Richmond Waldorf School (RWS) seeks candidates for the position of Director of Enrollment.

About

Richmond Waldorf School was founded in 1996 with a passion for providing children a holistic education that falls in alignment with their natural human development through hands‑on, nature‑rich, and play‑based experiences. We are dedicated to providing a learning environment that cultivates creative thinking, genuine inquiry, and a love of learning. RWS has grown from a single Kindergarten classroom to a campus that serves 200 students from Pre‑K through 8th grade. Our specialty program includes Movement Arts, French, Mandarin, Biking, Handwork, Music and Strings, Woodwork, Visual Arts, and Latin. Richmond Waldorf School is fully accredited by SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools), a member of WECAN (Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America), and is a Candidate School of AWSNA (Association of Waldorf Schools of North America),. We have a College, Board of Trustees, and Parents Association that help ensure support for the health of the school.

Our school is located on a beautiful, urban campus in the Northside of Richmond, Virginia in close proximity to Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, and only a few hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Washington, DC, and the coastal beaches of Virginia and North Carolina. Richmond is a rapidly growing city with amazing restaurants, a thriving art and music scene, and a plethora of outdoor parks and walking trails. The James River winds its way through the heart of the city, offering four seasons of adventure and beauty.

Summary

The Director of Enrollment leads the execution and management of all aspects of enrollment and admissions for our school. This functionality overlays many key operational aspects for Richmond Waldorf School including communications and marketing of the programs and school as a whole. This position works closely with the leadership team to carry out enrollment and market objectives. Having a deep understanding of the school and an interest in Waldorf education in order to attract and retain mission‑aligned families is essential.

Mobilizing a volunteer base to carry out the needed work for specific school‑wide events is another essential part of directing and delegating effectively from this position. This position will work closely with other members of the Advancement Committee. This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Essential Functions

Enrollment

• Facilitate admissions from inquiry to enrollment, with lens of Waldorf education, RWS mission, DEIJ principles, and other relevant procedures
• Provide tours and information sessions to prospective families
• Manages multiple digital platforms for admissions and enrollment
• Maintain reporting dashboard to track statistics and review data on a regular basis
• Support retention of students by hosting events, coordinating with other committee members
• Develops budget and ensures spending is within budget
• Lead Financial Aid administration and notification
• Manage re‑enrollment process
• Manage onboarding/orientation of new families
• Work with the Executive Director to establish tuition rates, financial aid policies/procedures, and strategic enrollment management
• Lead admissions committee
• Collaborate with faculty to facilitate new student admissions

Advancement

• Supports the strategic, fundraising plan for the fiscal year alongside the Advancement Committee. This includes but is not limited to: the Annual Fund, fundraising events, Holiday Faire, May Faire, Gala, Silent Auction, event sponsorships, and donor stewardship
• In the near future, support the Advancement Committee on a capital campaign

Communications

• Strategically plans and manages a community wide communications strategy for the fiscal year. This includes: weekly Messenger communication, gathering clear and concise information from all realms of the school to share with parents, social media (Facebook, Instagram), external communication for events, campaigns, etc., the Annual Report, and assisting in any one off communications throughout the year, keeping them in line with weekly information shared.
• Supports the creation and disbursement of the Annual Report, September of each year
• Co‑creates content with the Development Coordinator for all social media accounts for the school, posting periodically

Marketing

• Establish or review marketing objectives annually and work towards these goals on an ongoing basis
• Develop marketing events in collaboration with administration
• Support and plan other external facing events
• Determine and implement advertising for school in collaboration with administration
• Create marketing materials in collaboration with external partners
• Utilize digital platforms and programs to create and edit marketing materials
• Manage Google listing, GuideStar and private school review sites

Events

• Manages all aspects of fundraising events (Holiday Faire, May Faire, small fundraising events, Gala, Silent Auction)
• Strategically plans and executes a year‑long Parent Education Series consisting of approximately 6 evening sessions hosted by RWS faculty on various topics, or bringing in guest speakers on Waldorf‑aligned topics
• Acts as a liaison along with the Development Coordinator for the Parents Association, assisting in event planning, volunteerism and alignment of PA happenings with the larger community calendar
• Assists as necessary with project management of school events to be sure communication and expectations are clear, and the needs of our community are met throughout these gatherings

General

• Maintain positive relationships with parents and respond to parent concerns/questions
• Maintain positive, professional relationships with colleagues
• Engage in on‑going professional and personal growth
• Fulfill other duties, as assigned, relative to the job responsibilities

Qualifications

Competencies:

• Focused analytical skills with an anticipatory mindset
• Ability to balance multiple demands in ways that are well organized
• Ability to demonstrate genuine appreciation and respect for all school community members
• Ability to manage difficult situations with confidentiality and sensitivity
• Excellent human relationship skills with children and adults
• Positive, professional relationships with colleagues
• Positive, professional relationships with parents and volunteers
• Clear and timely communication with parents and colleagues
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree within relevant fields including business administration, communications, non‑profit studies, education, social sciences, or a related field
• 3 years experience working in an enrollment management or coordinator position
• Admissions and enrollment experience in a school setting

Preferred:

• 5+ years experience working in an enrollment management, coordinator or director position
• Understanding of and/or willingness to learn about Waldorf education
• Communication experience in a school setting
• Marketing experience in a school setting
• Experience working in a collaborative environment

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a 40 hour per week position. The salary rate for this regular, full‑time, exempt position is $53,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on exact experience and qualifications. This is a 12‑month school year position with a start date as soon as possible. RWS offers the following benefits to full‑time staff:

• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Life insurance
• Short‑and‑Long‑Term Disability insurance
• 80 hours Paid Time Off (PTO) per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30)
• Paid Holidays & School Breaks (~30 days; subject to finalized school schedule each year)
• 90% Tuition remission for dependent child/ren enrolled at RWS
• Free Aftercare for dependent children during scheduled work hours (children must also enrolled in a school program.)