The Governor’s Academy, the oldest boarding school in New England, inspires and engages inquisitive students in ninth through twelfth grade. Our 456-acre campus is located thirty miles north of Boston and five miles south of Newburyport, a classic New England coastal town. Govs has approximately 400 students and 200 employees. 

Govs faculty and staff are committed to creating and cultivating an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that allows students to learn from each other’s unique backgrounds and experiences, discover their passions, find and use their distinctive voices, and achieve academic and co-curricular excellence. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Adults in our community are professionals who appreciate individuality, collaboration, and service to others— all so that we can go far together. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Dean of Strategic Enrollment and Marketing reports to the Head of School and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The dean is responsible for the overall management of all aspects of enrollment and is responsible for the stewardship of the Academy’s brand identity. This includes the development and management of all communications and public relations, and responsibility for the marketing needs of the school. In addition to the dean, the office includes 1 Director of Marketing and Communication, 1 Director of Advancement Marketing & Communications, 4 Associate Directors of Admission, 1.5 Assistant Director of Admission, 1 Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, and 1.5 Administrative Assistants. It is the dean’s responsibility to segment tasks in the office to achieve optimum efficiency and results. The dean is responsible for the policies, practices, and day-to-day operation of the office with desired end goals of attaining full enrollment, achieving the net revenue goal, directing a digital marketing strategy, and aligning our communications with the Academy’s brand.  Housing may or may not be available. 

This is a full-time, exempt position with Administrative Faculty status. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In developing and executing an enrollment strategy that leads to full enrollment, the dean must:

• Establish and execute a plan for evaluating applications and making admission decisions in a highly competitive educational environment
• Admit and enroll the correct number of boarding and day students by gender and grade
• Enhance diversity-racial, geographic, economic, co-curricular, intellectual, and otherwise-in the student body
• Maintain or enhance the academic strength of the student body
• Assure that acceptances and enrollments reflect the Mission Statement of the Academy
• Lead the work of the team to strategically analyze trends and to recruit, attract, admit, enroll, and retain mission-appropriate students
• Oversee campus visits (Interviews and Tours)
• Effectively and strategically direct admission officers’ domestic and international travel
• Oversee all admission events

In developing and executing a marketing and communications strategy, the dean must:

• Oversee the school’s institutional identity program and cohesively manage the brand across all communication touchpoints.  
• Develop/manage marketing tools, platforms, and databases to ensure the academy can effectively understand, track, and reach all Governor’s audiences 
• Establish and manage clear performance metrics regarding audience engagement
• Manage and determine the content of the school’s website and social media channels
• Oversee the creation and production of all electronic newsletters.  
• Oversee production of more than 150  publications per year, including but not limited to all admission and advancement publications. 
• Manage all publicity, promotion, and crisis communication. In conjunction with the Head of  School, serve as spokesperson for the school to the press and external constituencies when needed, and oversee the school’s press release program

In addition, the dean will:

• Staff the Enrollment and Marketing Committee of the Board of Trustees and generate reports to the Board at the request of the Head of School
• Establish the annual budget for the Office of Enrollment and Marketing, to be reviewed by the Head of School and Chief Financial Officer
• Train and provide evaluations for all members of the Office of Enrollment and Marketing
• Report progress to Governor’s employees at Employee Meetings regularly
• Partner with the Director of Advancement in  the development and management of a campaign marketing plan and oversee its execution to ensure specific engagement objectives are met
• Assume responsibility for overall brand stewardship to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach across all messaging and touchpoints

In addition to overseeing the operation of the Office of Enrollment and Marketing, the dean is assigned the following duties:

• One season of coaching
• Residential life duties (for candidates who will reside on campus)
• Member of the Senior Administrative Team 
• Administrator-on-Duty coverage
• Student advisor
• Maintain accurate records for the current enrollment structure
• Co-Chair with the CFO of regular meetings of the Enrollment Committee and the Financial Aid Committee
• Create and lead a Retention Committee
• Work with the Head of School, CFO, and Board of Trustees to establish a tuition and fee structure
• Must show a demonstrated interest in social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion work.

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred; 5 years of experience in an admission office and/or in institutional marketing, branding, or communications preferred; experience managing a team, and training and supervising multiple colleagues required; knowledge of independent and/or boarding school life preferred; ability to work independently required. In addition, the successful candidate will possess: exceptional organizational skills with high attention to detail; ability to make decisions; experience in strategic digital marketing; experience in social media campaigns; excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to interact professionally and work collaboratively in a group setting; desire to travel for school purposes; interest in working with young people in a boarding school environment; proven experience as a collegial leader; demonstrated experience in establishing and enhancing a community of belonging. The successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license, a current passport, and must complete a CORI/fingerprinting check.

About The Governor's Academy

The Governor’s Academy, the oldest boarding school in New England, inspires and engages inquisitive students in ninth through twelfth grade. Our 456-acre campus is located thirty miles north of Boston and five miles south of Newburyport, a classic New England coastal town. Govs has approximately 400 students and 250 employees. Govs faculty and staff are committed to creating and cultivating a diverse and inclusive community that allows students to discover their passions, use their unique voices, and achieve academic and co-curricular excellence. Adults in our community are professionals who appreciate individuality, collaboration, and service to others— all so that we can go far together.

Connections working at The Governor's Academy