Director of Student Recruitment & Enrollment - Camden

About KIPP New Jersey

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate over 7,738 students in grades K-12 across 15 schools in Newark and Camden. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. 

By 2025, KIPP New Jersey will have fifteen schools in Newark and seven in Camden providing a world-class education to over 11,600 students. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

Here's what you should know:

The Director of Student Recruitment and Enrollment leads and implements student enrollment initiatives across our 5 Camden  schools for KIPP: Cooper Norcross (KCNA). The Director will be responsible for setting the vision for enrollment and student recruitment efforts, achieving ambitious enrollment goals in Camden, and fostering strong relationships with community stakeholders to ensure KIPP remains the school of choice for families in Camden. The Director will report directly to the Managing Director of Marketing, Communications, and Enrollment and oversee the Student Recruitment and Enrollment Team.

The Director of Student Recruitment and Enrollment will be responsible for designing and implementing successful recruitment and enrollment strategies, managing multiple priorities, and building relationships with diverse stakeholders. They will actively monitor enrollment data, make strategic decisions based on insights, and work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, as required.

Here's what you'll be doing:

Recruitment Strategy Development

• Lead the development and implementation of a regional vision and strategy for student recruitment and enrollment, ensuring full enrollment across five KCNA schools in Camden.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive recruitment strategy plan with clear enrollment targets and metrics.
• Create and maintain standard operating procedures for student recruitment and enrollment cycles.
• Train and support direct reports in executing recruitment strategies, including canvassing and family engagement efforts.
• Collaborate with school leaders and operations teams to oversee the enrollment process from initial application to the first day of school.

Recruitment and Outreach Execution

• Design and implement recruitment campaigns that reflect our mission and value proposition, leveraging digital outreach, social media, and community partnerships.
• Build and sustain partnerships with local organizations and community leaders to enhance visibility and trust in KCNA schools.
• Oversee recruitment events, such as open houses, lotteries, and new family orientations, ensuring a welcoming and informative experience for prospective families.

Enrollment Systems and Compliance

• Oversee the collection and management of student applications and enrollment data 
• Ensure compliance with all charter enrollment laws and KIPP: Cooper Norcross policies.
• Track and analyze data related to recruitment and enrollment benchmarks to drive continuous improvement and use data analytics to drive strategic initiatives.
• Develop systems to optimize student transitions between elementary, middle, and high school, achieving at least 85% matriculation rates across feeder patterns.

Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Directly manage the Student Recruitment Coordinator and other team members, including part-time recruitment staff.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings to provide guidance, monitor progress, and support professional development.
• Facilitate enrollment meetings to ensure alignment on recruitment goals and deliverables.
• Partner with the Marketing and Communications team to develop materials and campaigns that highlight the strengths of KCNA schools.
• Ensure accurate and effective data tracking and analysis and report out to stakeholders
• Engage with school leaders and operations teams to ensure a seamless and family-friendly enrollment process, and to support strong alignment on student recruitment and retention strategies.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above essential duties and responsibilities.

SKILLS

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and data analysis tools; familiarity with enrollment systems preferred.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders.

ABILITIES

• Ability to adapt to the dynamic needs of the organization and employees.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple assignments at once.
• Ability to travel to school locations to meet with staff as needed..
• Ability to work across cultures with all levels of organization as well as with different functions.

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands:

• Prolonged periods of working at the computer and sitting at a desk.
• Travel to various school locations in Camden and occasionally around NJ. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Must Haves:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education, Marketing, Communications, or related fields preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in student recruitment, enrollment management, or related fields, preferably in education.
• Demonstrated success in managing varied stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

 In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP NJ offers a full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care, retirement, a school laptop and transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into New Jersey from the New York City area.