Director of Admissions & Enrollment

La Scuola International School is seeking an experienced, strategic, and relationship-driven Director to lead Admissions and Enrollment across three campuses (Preschool-Grade 8). This leadership role involves developing and implementing a comprehensive admissions strategy, managing key processes, fostering a diverse student body, and collaborating with school leadership on recruitment, retention, and financial aid. The Director will also represent the school as an ambassador and ensure a personalized experience for prospective families.

Must Have

• Embrace, embody and clearly communicate the vision, mission and values of La Scuola.
• Possess rich and intimate knowledge of Reggio Emilia approach, International Baccalaureate PYP and MYP, and language immersion curriculums.
• Oversee all aspects of admissions including engaging recruitment, admission and retention of a diverse, qualified and dynamic student body.
• Lead the design and execution of a multi-year strategic enrollment plan.
• Manage key admissions processes: inquiries, tours, interviews, assessments, application guidance.
• Establish and maintain clear systems, timelines, and ethical decision-making protocols for application review.
• Collaborate with school leadership and faculty to strengthen retention and continuity.
• Manage new family transition into the School.
• Develop and communicate brand messaging, outreach, and content.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with outside institutions.
• Collaborate with Head of School, CFO, and Business Office to manage admissions budget and Sliding Scale Tuition program.
• Manage enrollment management systems, software platforms, data integrity, and reporting infrastructure.
• Develop dashboards and annual enrollment reviews.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 7–10 years of leadership experience and demonstrated success in admissions or enrollment management, preferably in an independent school.

Good to Have

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Exceptional collaboration, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience utilizing data to optimize admissions and enrollment processes and financial acumen.
• Deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Cultural competence and experience working with international and multilingual communities strongly preferred.
• High proficiency with technology (Google Drive, enrollment management systems, CRM platforms like Ravenna and Blackbaud).
• High degree of discretion, judgment, and professionalism.
• Eager to join the La Scuola community and participate in all aspects of school life.

Perks & Benefits

• Medical, vision and dental coverage
• Employer-Matched Retirement Account (up to 5%)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Commuter Benefits
• Group Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• World Travel Assistance
• Personal Time Off
• Paid Federal Holidays and School Closures
• Daily warm lunch while on site
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Outstanding Professional Development and Mentorship throughout the year
• Free Employee Childcare for students enrolled at La Scuola during Professional Development Days

Company Description

Founded in 2002, La Scuola International School – the only Reggio Emilia inspired, International Baccalaureate (IB) and Italian language immersion school in the world – serves over 460 students in the Bay Area with two San Francisco campuses (Preschool - Grade 8), one in Silicon Valley (Preschool - Grade 3), and a campus opening in the 2026-27 school year in Milan, Italy.

At La Scuola International School, we believe our complex, interconnected society demands a new model of education that opens minds, expands hearts, and fills our spirits with joy. We uniquely blend the most uplifting ideas in education, guiding students to become leaders of their own learning from preschool through the eighth grade, across multiple campuses.

La Scuola is an International School and a globally-minded community. Our families come from a wide range of backgrounds and speak more than 34 different languages, and the breadth of that global community is the foundation of our school experience. With their ability to see things through others’ eyes, La Scuola students see beyond the boundaries of right and wrong to understand nuance, appreciate empathy, and lead towards a more open, connected world.

Our frameworks, approaches and methods leverage all that is known globally about teaching, learning, and child development. That includes the International Baccalaureate, the Reggio Emilia approach, Singapore Math, Science of Reading Research, Writing Workshop and Polyanna, a renowned racial literacy program, among others.

Learn more about us here: https://www.lascuolasf.org/

Job Description

Position Overview

La Scuola International School seeks an experienced, strategic, relationship-driven Director to lead Admissions and Enrollment across three campuses, Preschool through Grade 8. Reporting to the Head of School or Director of Advancement, this critical role will be charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive admissions strategy that supports and expands the school’s mission, sustainability and commitment to community and belonging.

This is a strategic leadership role requiring direct, hands-on execution of key admissions functions and strategic growth initiatives. The Director partners closely with the Head of School, Chief Financial Officer, and other departments to ensure a cohesive, data-informed approach to recruitment, retention, and tuition assistance. As a senior leader and ambassador, the Director represents La Scuola with warmth, professionalism, and integrity across the independent school landscape.

Core Responsibilities

Leadership

• Embrace, embody and clearly communicate the vision, mission and values of La Scuola.
• Possess a rich and intimate knowledge of the Reggio Emilia approach, International Baccalaureate PYP and MYP, and language immersion curriculums.
• Oversee all aspects of admissions including engaging recruitment, admission and retention of a diverse, qualified and dynamic student body.
• Foster a diverse Preschool through Grade 8 student body based on socio-economic factors, race & ethnicity, family structure, and other markers.
• Lead the design and execution of a multi-year strategic enrollment plan aligned with the School’s Strategic Plan and financial sustainability goals. Ensure full and robust enrollment across the school at all times; goals will be defined in collaboration with the Head of School and CFO.
• Other duties as assigned.

Admissions

• Manage key admissions processes including responding to inquiries, conducting tours, interviews and other events, coordinating assessments, and guiding families through the application process.
• Establish and maintain clear systems, timelines, and ethical decision-making protocols and processes for application review and admissions decisions.
• Ensure systematic, timely and efficient handling of applications, acceptances and all related communication with families.
• Stay abreast of recent trends and best practices in admissions and enrollment management in independent schools and universities.
• Partner closely with Division Heads and Student Support Group to ensure mission-aligned student placement decisions.
• Ensure a warm, responsive, and highly personalized experience for prospective families, reflecting the school’s values and scale.
• Work closely with faculty and staff for admissions events and to maintain intimate knowledge of the program offered.
• Serve as the key spokesperson and primary representative at all admissions events including but not limited to open houses, tours, curriculum nights, exhibits, community building events, school celebrations, professional development as appropriate, with limited exceptions.

Retention, Community & Family Engagement

• Collaborate with school leadership and faculty to strengthen retention and continuity across divisions.
• Manage each new family’s transition into the School through the start of the year assigning Ambassador Buddy families to new students and their parents, coordinating welcome efforts and other initiatives to onboard and ensure a feeling of belonging.
• Design and implement family engagement strategies that actively support an inclusive and equitable community and reinforce belonging and long-term commitment to the school.

Marketing, Communications & External Relations

• Collaborate with teams to create and implement a dynamic enrollment vision and strategy.
• Develop and communicate brand messaging, outreach, and content through channels including social media, web and others as appropriate.
• Develop admission and promotional materials (both online and printed) with a consistent brand identity.
• Work with the marketing and communications team to ensure communications for current and prospective families are shared in a timely and accurate manner.
• Organize and represent the school at admissions events on campus i.e., early childhood play sessions and elementary visit days, admissions fairs, and community engagements.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with outside institutions including academic access organizations, local preschool and elementary schools, community organizations, civic organizations and professional networks across the Bay Area.

Financial Partnership & Sliding Scale Tuition

• Collaborate with the Head of School, CFO, and Business Office to manage the admissions budget, ensure a successful re-enrollment process and administer the Sliding Scale Tuition program.
• Communicate the school’s tuition and philosophy and processes to prospective and current families responding to inquiries and ensuring relevant information is conveyed in a clear and timely manner.
• Use tuition assistance strategically to support access, diversity, and enrollment stability while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Data, Systems & Reporting

• Manage enrollment management systems, software platforms, data integrity, and reporting infrastructure. Ensure enrollment software systems are in place and troubleshoot accordingly to optimize performance, working alongside Technology Coordinator.
• Develop dashboards and annual enrollment reviews that include current metrics, trends and comparative benchmarking. Analyze application, yield, retention, and demographic data to inform strategy and daily decision-making.
• Track enrollment data and local initiatives, recommending and implementing strategic adjustments based on data, trends, and competitive analysis.
• Set up processes to collect data from a variety of areas, including admission surveys, exit surveys, demographic data, internal family satisfaction surveys, analytics from the website (SEO), and the database.
• Develop department goals and objectives, policies and procedures including tuition, program offerings, age cut-offs, sibling policies, etc. in collaboration with Head of School.
• Maintain current statistics/trends and best-practice admission procedures and seek comparative benchmarking.

Qualifications

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of leadership experience and demonstrated success in admissions or enrollment management, preferably in an independent school.

Desired Personal Qualities

• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to prioritize.
• Exceptional collaboration, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience utilizing data to optimize admissions and enrollment processes and financial acumen.
• Deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Cultural competence and experience working with international and multilingual communities strongly preferred.
• High proficiency with technology i.e., Google Drive, enrollment management systems and CRM platforms i.e., Ravenna and Blackbaud.
• High degree of discretion, judgment, and professionalism.
• Eager to join the La Scuola community and participate in all aspects of school life, including events that occur outside standard work hours.

Additional Information

Start Date: May 2026

Salary Range: Based on an annual salary of $135,000 - $170,000 commensurate with background and experience.

Benefits & Compensation

Full time positions receive generous compensation and benefits package, including medical, vision and dental coverage. The school also offers an Employer-Matched Retirement Account (up to 5%), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), Commuter Benefits, Group Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, World Travel Assistance.

Other benefits include Personal Time Off, Paid Federal Holidays and School Closures, daily warm lunch while on site, Employee Referral Bonuses, Outstanding Professional Development and Mentorship throughout the year, Free Employee Childcare for students enrolled at La Scuola during Professional Development Days.

How to Apply

Refer to the Employment Opportunities within and apply online. Please include a cover letter sharing your background and interest and your résumé as a first step. Applicants should be prepared to share three professional references and a teaching demonstration. As part of the interview process, you can expect to meet with our Human Resources team and other key members of the School Leadership team, including Head of School.

Additional Information

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. Prior to beginning work and as a condition of employment in order to comply with the law, all employees must provide documentation to prove eligibility to work in the United States.

Final candidates will need to pass both Criminal Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance and a physical exam, and provide a recent copy of a negative TB test and other immunization records.