Director of Admissions and Marketing

Position: Director of Admissions and Marketing

Reports to: Head of School
• *Must already be based in Austin.

Austin Jewish Academy (AJA) seeks a strategic, relational, and highly organized Director of Admissions to lead all aspects of student recruitment, admissions, enrollment, and re-enrollment for our K-8 pluralistic Jewish day school. Located on the Dell Jewish Community Center campus in Austin, Texas, AJA offers families a distinctive educational experience grounded in academic excellence, Project-Based Learning, timeless Jewish values, and a strong sense of community. As a key ambassador for the school, the Director of Admissions will lead a comprehensive enrollment program that attracts, enrolls, and retains families aligned with AJA’s mission and values. This highly visible role is ideal for a leader who combines strong interpersonal instincts with strategic thinking, compelling storytelling, and careful attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities

Enrollment Strategy & Growth
• Develop and implement a strategic admissions and enrollment plan that supports the school’s enrollment goals
• Lead all admissions and enrollment efforts from inquiry through enrollment and re-enrollment
• Partner with school leadership on enrollment strategy, forecasting, retention, and pipeline development
• Track admissions data and use it to improve outreach, conversion, yield, and retention

Recruitment & Family Engagement
• Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective families and ensure a warm, responsive, and mission-aligned experience
• Conduct tours, coordinate open houses and admissions events, and build strong relationships with prospective and current families
• Build relationships with preschools, synagogues, community partners, and other referral sources
• Represent the school at events and in the broader Austin Jewish and independent school communities

Admissions Process
• Oversee all aspects of the admissions process, including applications, interviews, visits, assessments, and admissions decisions
• Manage applicant files, admissions systems, timelines, and communications with accuracy and care
• Create a welcoming, personalized experience for every family throughout the admissions process
• Support tuition assistance communication and coordination in partnership with the Business Office

Marketing, Storytelling & Visibility
• Partner with the school’s communications team and leadership on messaging that clearly reflects AJA’s mission, values, and program strengths
• Share compelling stories that reflect AJA’s values, student experience, and daily life
• Help strengthen the school’s visibility and value proposition among prospective families and community stakeholders

Retention, Community Building & Advancement Partnership
• Support re-enrollment and partner with school leadership to strengthen the overall family experience
• Gather feedback and insights to continuously improve admissions and retention efforts
• Partner with the Head of School on community-facing events, storytelling, and selected advancement efforts that support both enrollment and philanthropy
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and parent volunteers to ensure that prospective and current families feel connected, informed, and welcomed

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Relevant experience in admissions, enrollment, independent schools, community outreach, or a related field; independent school experience preferred
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
• Strong organizational skills, follow-through, and attention to detail
• Ability to manage systems and data while maintaining a highly personal and welcoming family experience
• Appreciation for Jewish day school education, enthusiasm for Project-Based Learning, and a desire to have a positive impact on a growing and evolving school community

Start Date

August 1, 2026, for the 2026-27 school year

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to: Mr. Kari Loya, Interim Head of School, at kari.loya@ajaschool.org

About Austin Jewish Academy

Founded in 1997, Austin Jewish Academy is a 120-student, coeducational, pluralistic Jewish day school serving grades K-8 on the 40-acre campus of the Dell Jewish Community Center in Austin, Texas. Through Project-Based Learning, timeless Jewish values, and a tight-knit community, AJA prepares and inspires students to transform the world.

Learn more at www.ajaschool.org