The University of Chicago

Department

Lab School Admissions & Financial Aid

About the Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Enrollment Management (DEM), The Assistant Director of Admissions (ADA will assist with the admissions process at all grades, with a specific focus on point of inquiry through enrollment of applicants to Nursery 3 through Grade 2 (Early Childhood; EC) at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. The ADA will also be expected to lead efforts in at least one major enrollment area, (most likely student retention) and may be responsible for the selection and management of Admissions Office student workers.

The Assistant Director for Admissions should have strong technical and interpersonal skills, and the ability to set up clear processes and procedures necessary to set up and manage a large admissions operation with minimal oversight. In addition, the ADA will be expected to support other areas of admissions through tours and interviews at all grades.

The most significant part of this position involves the deep understanding, utilization, and mastery of complex admissions and other database systems (currently Zoom, calendly, Finalsite, Excel, Powerpoint, Oracle, Google docs, Beautiful AI and other programs, although these specific systems may change), all of which should be leveraged to efficiently structure and manage a large scale admissions operation involving 500+ applicants each year to Nursery 3- 2nd grade. The admissions structure and process should mirror the admissions process at grades 3-12, while taking into account the unique needs of young children.

In addition, the ADA must possess the interpersonal skills necessary to interface with a large number of applicant families from a wide range of backgrounds. Strong communication skills are necessary. The ADA should exhibit a warm and welcoming demeanor while retaining the ability, when necessary, to deliver difficult news to families with grace, empathy, and firmness. While the ADA’s work will focus on grades 3-12, there must be an appreciation and deep understanding of Lab’s entire fifteen year educational arc and how early childhood feeds into upper grades.

The ADA must be ready to work independently, but also with a team. The ADA will work closely with the DEM and include the DEM in all aspects of the EC admissions process, and should be prepared to share information in a cogent manner. The ADA must manage a high volume of emails, and should be prepared to respond or refer issues and concerns needed. The ADA will participate and support the development of admissions strategies, policies, and procedures. Represents the school and its mission to prospective candidates primarily through presentations, personal interviews, school tours, playgroup coordination and evaluation, staff management, oversight of admissions committee work, communications with parents, teachers, administrators and outside schools, oversight of the student placement process, candidate research.

Manages all aspects of the Admission Office EC tour program. Cultivates training and management of parent tour guides for Admission tours throughout the year. Sets the admissions calendar for major admissions events, including playgroup assessment dates, etc. Participates in managing and execution of promotional and welcome events including EC Open Houses, Cookie and Lemonade Reception, the New Family Mentoring Program, and New Family events. Track and analyze efficacy of recruitment efforts.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Director of Enrollment Management, leads Lab’s retention efforts, including programmatic events, exit and satisfaction for existing students, convening of the retention committee and analyzing all retention data.
• Ability to attend weekend and evening recruitment events.
• Willingness and ability to keep the DEM informed of relevant issues as they arise.
• Some weekend work required, including answering emergency emails as needed attendance at all Open Houses, and 4-6 Saturday playgroup assessments per year.
• Ability to organize and share relevant information in a clear and concise manner, and to proactively include the DEM in all EC admissions meetings.
• In collaboration with the DEM manages and participates in the recruitment, evaluation, and selection of applicants for admission.
• Establishes annual admissions and enrollment calendar, including all tours, playgroups, interviews for N3-2, and all retention events across all grades,
• Manages all set up and organization of tours and play groups N3-2.
• Recruits, organizes and trains parent tour guides for admissions tours.
• Assists in managing recruited UChicago faculty.
• Maintains accurate enrollment numbers grades N3-2 and is prepared to share with DEM and others as needed.
• Participates in the development of admissions strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains liaison with all organizations and individuals involved in the admissions process.
• Oversees planning and implementation of public presentations, special events, and other recruitment activities.
• Manages special projects (i.e., marketing, recruitment of underrepresented groups, etc.) as needed.
• Recruits and/or evaluates applicants for admission by interviewing, reading applications and summarizing evaluations. Completes these tasks independently or with some guidance and instruction from others.
• Maintains relationships with all individuals involved in the recruitment process, including routinely counseling students and parents regarding the admission process.
• Performs other duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Event planning experience.
• Experience working in a N-12 educational setting, preferably in an admission setting.
• Volunteer management experience.
• Experience working with financial aid awards.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to manage a fast-paced office environment with many competing priorities.
• Ability to prioritize amongst competing needs and priorities.
• Ability to work independently while ensuring team members are kept up to date.
• Demonstrated database management expertise, as well as expertise with Excel.
• Project management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Interviewing skills.
• Decision-making skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of parents, staff, faculty, administrators, and students.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office required with strong IT skills.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$68,000.00 - $93,500.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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