Position: Director of Enrollment

Position Status: Active

FTE: 100%

Agreement Dates: July 1 - June 30 Annually

Report to: Head of School

Department: Administrative

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

EEO Category: 1.2 First /mid-level officials and managers

Pay Category: Exempt 

Pay Range: $150,000 - $185,000, commensurate with experience

Pay Rate: Annual

Pay Schedule: Semi-monthly

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Overview:

San Francisco Day School seeks a strategic, innovative, and collaborative Director of Enrollment to lead the school into a new chapter under the new and dynamic leadership of Head of School, Dr. Racheal Adriko, for July 2025. The school is looking for an enrollment leader with a warm approach, who is a storyteller, collaborator, and devoted educator, who can lead with a strategic, data-driven approach to enrollment in the competitive landscape of San Francisco K-8 admissions.

For over 40 years, SF Day School has led the way in intentional, student-centered education in San Francisco and nationwide. Located in the heart of San Francisco, SF Day is one of the most selective co-educational schools in the Bay Area and the country, with a highly regarded name and reputation. 

SF Day gives students a springboard to embrace the world around them with confidence and integrity, share their perspectives and learn from others, and engage at school and in our city as dynamic problem solvers. The school’s commitment to community, culture, and engagement is fundamental to who we are as learners and as humans. SF Day unites students with foundational, common values, and sees them for who they are. The community nurtures kind, respectful, unique, self-aware, confident, and brave people. SF Day is a village, where the whole community comes together to be part of the work of growing, stretching and learning – and through the trust and joy of being a part of the village, feel brave enough to share their stories, advocate for difference, and teach by example. 

Mission:

At SF Day, we ignite curiosity. We cultivate a diverse, nurturing community that encourages leaders to expand their perspectives and become their true selves. Students develop as compassionate, creative problem-solvers, prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Every school has a mission – but how does it come to life? SF Day’s mission is grounded in three pillars, which always interconnect. The school’s enduring commitment to intentional, student-driven teaching and learning practices; the importance of social and emotional wellness in and out of the classroom; and the bedrock belief in respect for the identity and the community around us. Every aspect of school life has connections to all three of these central ideas – and each is strengthened by the others. 

At a Glance:

Grades: K-8
Total Enrollment: 436

K-2: 44-48 students per grade

3-5: 45-50 students per grade

6-8: 50-55 students per grade

Students of Color: 55%

Students receiving aid: 21% of Families receive Adjusted Tuition

Total faculty: 76

Staff of color: 44%

Faculty with advanced degrees: 38

Operating budget: $19,932,000

Endowment: SF Day : $30,934,869

  Breakthrough: $ 2,798,084

  Total: $33,732,953

Financial aid budget: $3,100,000

Founded:

Incorporated in 1978, SF Day opened its doors in 1981 and graduated its first class in 1990. In 1994, Breakthrough SF became part of the SF Day program. SF Day quickly established its reputation as the top co-educational K-8 school in San Francisco. While many other co-ed K-8 schools have since been founded, SF Day has retained its position within the city.  

The school recently completed a $25M campaign to expand faculty housing and fund a new building for programs in innovation and design, visual and performing arts, and a rooftop garden. Dr. Racheal Adriko, who joined the school in 2023, is the 7th Head of School.

Links:

School website

School Life Handbook

Head of School:

Dr. Racheal Adriko joined the faculty of SF Day in 2023. A leader with over 20 years of experience, she was previously the Head of School at the Metropolitan Montessori School in New York City. She has also been a Director at Milton Academy and Shady Hill School, both located outside Boston. Dr. Adriko is a “transformative leader,” her work focuses on the intersection that unites education, multimedia systems, and human relationships. Her work has been featured on CNN, the Boston Globe, and the Providence Journal, among others, and she is the author of articles on education and training published in the African press. She holds a BA in Sociology from Suffolk University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Simmons College, and a PhD from Northeastern University. She believes in building multicultural communities and – to achieve this – creating meaningful and targeted training education opportunities for both teachers and students.

The Opportunity:

SF Day seeks a Director of Enrollment to begin July 2025 (or earlier, if possible). Reporting to the Head of School, the Director of Enrollment is responsible for understanding the strategic and operational components of enrollment, the research necessary to inform decision-making, and overseeing student recruitment, financial aid, and re-enrollment efforts. The role will be new for SF Day; the Director of Admission has led enrollment. As SF Day shifts to a more strategic model, the Director of Enrollment will collaborate more closely with the finance, communications, and advancement teams. The Director of Enrollment is attentive to demographics, navigating San Francisco’s market and the school’s public presence as one of the school’s most visible spokespeople. The Director of Enrollment represents SF Day to all constituents. 

The Director of Enrollment oversees all facets of attracting, admitting, and retaining a qualified, diverse, and dynamic student body. The ideal candidate is a storyteller and a passionate promoter of SF Day, a systems thinker with exceptional organizational and data analysis skills, and a proven and creative leader in admissions, recruitment, and retention. They lead a dedicated admissions team, overseeing a K-8 admissions process that warmly guides prospective families from inquiry through enrollment, ensuring a smooth, welcoming, and efficient experience for prospective students and their families. The Director must understand the nuances and challenges of the San Francisco K-8 market to ensure that SF Day remains a top-tier school for families seeking an independent school for their children.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads enrollment management, which includes admission, financial aid, and recruitment, and directs the process of attracting, enrolling, and retaining students at SF Day. 

• Strengthens and maintains a robust K-8 enrollment in a competitive landscape.

• Sets annual enrollment and admission goals in accordance with the school’s mission to promote economic, racial, and ethnic diversity in the student body.

• Formulates an annual admission and enrollment action plan with specific goals and objectives outlining tactics. 

• Collaborates with the CFO, implementing policies and strategies to administer the school’s financial aid program and budget and fulfill the school’s mission of inclusivity and accessibility.

• Promotes, models, and maintains a collaborative spirit and strategy so that all community members (administrators, faculty, parent and student ambassadors) understand their roles and value in enrollment efforts.

• Manages new student enrollment and Admin Council on retention efforts and the re-enrollment of current students in close connection with the business office. 

• Utilizes data to inform and drive decisions related to enrollment management and reports regularly on research, demographics, and related enrollment trends and forecasts to the Admin Council, admission staff, Board of Trustees, and community. Proactively ensures that changes and challenges are anticipated, understood, and addressed. 

• Seeks and uses data in developing strategy and decision-making. Maintains statistical and trend data relating to admission and enrollment and presents it to the Admin Council, Board of Trustees, and faculty.

• Attends Board of Trustee meetings when appropriate, is involved in strategic planning, and keeps the Board fully apprised of the school’s enrollment management endeavors. 

• Manages an admission staff through effective and supportive leadership behaviors. 

• Works with the Marketing/Communication team and external marketing firm to lead marketing efforts. Develops and implements strategic marketing messaging and brand promotion across all platforms and oversees the management of admission marketing materials. Creates thoughtful and regular cadence of outreach to prospective students and families.

• Participates as an active member of the Admin Council. 

Desired skills, traits, and attributes:

• Knowledgeable about the San Francisco school market and independent school trends.

• Excellent time management skills; detail and goal-oriented. 

• Highly motivated self-starter and doer with an action-orientation, high standards, and a strong work ethic. 

• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and adjust course as necessary.

• Creative thinker and problem solver.

• Confident public speaker.

• Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, and communication skills.

• High ethical standards and integrity, ensuring the confidentiality of student records, family information, and leadership decisions. 

• Eagerness to learn with and from others and a growth mindset. 

• Excited to participate in various aspects of school life to build a deep understanding of the school community and to establish meaningful relationships with students and their families, teachers, and staff. 

• Inspired by the school’s mission and ideals, will be both a positive role model and an ambassador of the school community. 

• Proficient with technology (e.g. Ravenna, Google Suite, Veracross, or similar software.)

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

• At least five years experience in a similar or related role.

• Experience as an independent school leader or administrator.

• Experience in marketing and communications.

• Demonstrated success in setting expectations for professionalism, accountability, and collegiality. 

Compensation

The salary range is $150,000-185,000. The final salary is based on experience relevant to the role and internal equity. SF Day provides a competitive total rewards package, featuring a 403(b) match, robust healthcare coverage, diverse additional benefits, and ample professional development opportunities.

To Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit materials in confidence. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents: 

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;

• A current résumé; 

• Two writing samples, such as a parent/guardian communication, newsletter, open house speech, blog, or article; 

• Contact information for five professional references with the name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission).

Materials are due by January 20, 2025. 

Other Requirements

Per CA statutes, all School employees should be able to pass a Federal and State background check, provide a negative TB test, and maintain professional behavior during the period of employment. The employment offer is contingent upon these requirements.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. As prescribed by law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Non-Discrimination Statement

At San Francisco Day School, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment and are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

SF Day Community ExpectationsIn following these community expectations, we strive to create:

• A working environment for employees to feel grounded in purpose, seen, and respected at school.
• A learning environment for students to gain the skills and knowledge to grow into global citizens who care for themselves, each other, and our world.

Employees:

1. Are compassionate and kind to ourselves and others. We work together as active contributors in a connected community and focus on balance and wellness so we can show up fully for students. 
2. Are prepared. We have the appropriate training, knowledge, and skills regarding this age group's developmental characteristics and needs. We complete our responsibilities with professionalism and fidelity.
3. Are reflective and accountable. We take time to consider the intent and impact of our actions and repair the harm done for the betterment of the community.
4. Are lifelong learners. We are committed to continuous professional growth and lifelong learning.
5. Put the children first. We are child-centered, both in and out of the classroom. We treat each child as an individual with respect and dignity. We create a safe environment where students grow in autonomy and the ability to work and play together.
6. Partner with families. We believe in the importance of the home-school partnership and partner with families proactively and positively.
7. Communicate with professionalism and care. We communicate with professionalism and care to each other and our students.
8. Uphold high expectations for ourselves and our students. It is all of our work to create an environment that fosters personal integrity and social responsibility.

Teachers:

1. Are skilled at teaching their subject area and grade level(s).  We are constantly deepening and evolving our craft to ensure best practices. We know how we teach is as important as what we teach, and growth requires feedback, reflection, and change.
2. Understand the arc of child development. We align our pedagogy and content to this developmental arc.
3. Create an engaging, culturally responsive classroom. We recognize and value the importance of actively engaging students’ learning. We honor students’ cultural displays of learning and respond positively and constructively. 
4. Plan for predictable variability in the learning profiles of students. We provide multiple means of representation and engagement, as well as support and extension in what we teach and assess.
5. Provide clear, consistent classroom norms and logical consequences. We provide feedback to students with clarity and care and guide them through the reflective and restorative process. Students know what routines to expect and what’s expected of them to support them in becoming empowered learners and responsible school community members. 
6. Provide clear learning goals and objectives. We align to content area scope and sequence. We ensure that students know what they are learning when they are learning it, and why they are learning