Siena Catholic Schools of Racine seeks a dedicated and dynamic Director of Admissions & Financial Aid to join our network of growing schools. This role is pivotal to our PK-12 admissions and retention efforts, supporting recruitment, outreach, and engagement strategies across all seven Catholic schools in our system. The position requires collaboration with divisional leadership teams and outreach to area schools, organizations, and prospective families. The work required includes, but may not be limited to, the following activities and tasks, some of which take place on weekends and evenings on campus and off throughout the school year.
 

Scope and Summary: The Director of Admissions retains primary responsibility for driving and tracking enrollment and retention goals for all grades at Siena Catholic Schools of Racine. This means devising and executing a strategic approach to recruitment, assisting principals with executing their individual admissions plans, and becoming the system’s key mouthpiece on related issues (financial aid, the Racine Parental Choice Program, the application process, etc.)

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Is the primary contact for the Racine Parental Choice Program and the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. As such, is responsible for all DPI reporting, tracking, audits, and deadlines. Oversee the open enrollment collection practices, gathering completed RPCP application packets and confirming all is deemed acceptable by DPI.
• Work with Siena’s senior leadership team and school principals to identify viable enrollment goals at the end of February for the next academic year. Communicate progress regularly to key stakeholders, including senior leadership, faculty/staff, and the Siena Catholic Schools of Racine Board of Directors.
• Work with the Finance Department to generate and invoice cash pay families not eligible for Choice Program funding, process financial aid, and lead the scholarship and financial aid process for Siena, working alongside the St. Catherine’s High School Foundation to publicize and award qualified students.
• Work with the Bilingual Admissions Coordinator to create, coordinate, and facilitate Admissions events such as Open Houses, visits to the high school, parish events, and community events.
• Manage and steward relationships with families, admissions prospects, and key community and school leaders. The Director of Admissions will be required to make eight personal (face-to-face) visits per month, in addition to significant daily phone, email, and letter communication.
• Lead the free and reduced lunch program, including processing, verifying, annual verification report, and confirming free and reduced lunch recipients and direct certification. Maintain the Meal Magic software, including year-end duties and importing new students as well as inactivating withdrawn students. Run the state-mandated Direct Cert updates four times a year.
• Serve as a public spokesperson as needed for any Siena Catholic School at parish functions, community meetings, etc.
   

Qualifications: 

• Willingness to uphold and promote the mission, goals, and objectives of Siena Catholic Schools of Racine.
• Undergraduate degree in a related field.
• Ability to be a leader in the system and the greater Racine community.
• Incredibly detail-oriented.
• Ability to work in advance of events and meet deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills and written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to track and interpret data relating to enrollment, admissions, and financial aid (including scholarships and the Racine Parental Choice Program).
• Excellent relationship-building skills.
• Minimum of five years of admissions or related field experience.
• Excellent computer and applicable software skills, such as the Google suite, Microsoft Office Products, and Blackbaud Admissions software (Enrollment Management).
• Ability to supervise others.
   

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Communicate verbally; audible speech and good hearing and eyesight
• Read/interpret digital and paper documents
• Physical dexterity to operate computer and other equipment 
• Prolonged sitting (50% or more)
• Walking up and down stairs and on uneven surfaces
• Occasionally lifting (from ground and also overhead) and carrying up to 20 pounds

Work Relationships & Scope

Reports to Chief Advancement Officer. Frequent contact with the Bilingual Admissions Coordinator, the Registrar/Student Information Systems, Siena Principals, and prospective families. Occasional interaction with other Siena colleagues. Expected to exhibit sound judgment in making decisions, remembering that Siena's interests may be directly affected by their actions and decisions. Secures the approval of the Director of Admissions in making decisions when answers are not clear and further guidance or input is needed.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in a pleasant indoor office environment with travel to regular outside the office meetings and events. May be exposed to heat, cold, wetness and high humidity when traveling to, or at, events. Work hours are somewhat flexible and include some evenings and weekends. Ability to work longer hours, as needed.