Associate Director of Admissions

Associate Director of Admissions - Upper School

The Position

The Associate Director of Admissions – Upper School is one of Nueva's key ambassadors and provides leadership on issues related to student recruitment and admissions, primarily for grades 9-12. They will support the admissions process and procedures for all candidates, PreK-12. The Associate Director of Admissions reports to the Director of Admissions and works closely with Upper School leadership and the admissions team. Evening and weekend work is required.

The Associate Director of Admissions will have opportunities to refine an admissions process for a growing applicant pool, partner with talented faculty and students to attract and yield mission-aligned families, and launch key initiatives to support recruitment and outreach goals.

We are seeking applicants who represent the full diversity of our community in the Bay Area. Our ideal candidate will possess a deep appreciation for the diverse socioeconomic, racial, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, academic, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. In joining our team at Nueva, you will become a part of an inclusive, iterative and equity-minded community that recognizes that equity and social justice is a lens with which we examine all aspects of our school community in order to ensure an educational experience where all students and colleagues can thrive. 

In deciding whether to apply for a position at Nueva, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with Nueva’s Mission, Vision, and Values. 

Primary Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage all aspects of the Upper School admissions process from initial inquiry through enrollment, including organizing parent and student interviews, tours, and application support, and serving as the primary point of contact for prospective Upper School families.
• Interview prospective students and families with warmth, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity, helping to ensure a mission-aligned fit and a welcoming admissions experience.
• Support and counsel prospective families throughout the admissions journey, building strong, trust-based relationships and providing timely and thoughtful communication.
• Plan, organize, and execute Upper School admissions events—including open houses, information sessions, student visits, and panel discussions—in collaboration with the admissions team and school partners.
• Design and implement outreach strategies to attract a more diverse and inclusive applicant pool, in alignment with the school’s broader enrollment and equity goals.
• Strengthen and sustain partnerships with community-based organizations, educational nonprofits, and local schools (public, parochial, charter, private, independent) to expand awareness of Nueva and increase access for underrepresented students and families.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local area schools (public, parochial, charter, private, independent) and other educational partners to support long-term outreach and recruitment goals.
• Represent Nueva at various on- and off-campus events, including school fairs, community programs, and presentations to educators and prospective families.
• Build relationships and partner with Upper School faculty and staff involved in the admissions process—including recruiting, training, and coordinating faculty volunteers to participate in interviews, student visits, panels, and events.
• Organize, participate in, and lead Upper School admissions committees, including reading application files, managing the reading process, and facilitating committee meetings.
• Collect, analyze, and share Upper School admissions and funnel data to identify trends, measure the effectiveness of outreach and recruitment efforts, and inform future planning.
• Utilize admissions software and data tools to manage applicant information, track engagement, and support reporting and institutional research needs.
• Serve as the main liaison to the Upper School Nueva Parent Association.
• Oversee the Parent Ambassador Program, including recruiting, training, and managing parent volunteers and scheduling their participation in events.
• Collaborate with the communications team on updates to publications and the website, and support the execution of the admissions team’s communications plan to prospective and admitted families.
• Continually seek new opportunities to improve admissions practices and contribute to a culture of reflection, innovation, and inclusivity within the team.
• Participate in school activities and community gatherings, including serving as an Upper School advisor and trip chaperone. 
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Director of Admissions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of three years of experience in high school or secondary school admissions.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with exceptional interpersonal skills and phone etiquette.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment with flexibility and grace.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a positive, solutions-oriented team member.
• Warm, relational approach with a consumer-service mindset and a commitment to building trust with prospective families.
• Cultural humility and demonstrated sensitivity when working across cultures and with a wide range of communities.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including families, faculty, and community partners.
• Creative and adaptive mindset, with a willingness to iterate, take initiative, and learn through doing.
• Discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficiency with CRM/database systems (e.g., Ravenna, Veracross, or similar) and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bilingual abilities in Spanish/English or Mandarin/English are a plus.
• A sense of humor, intrinsic motivation, and the ability to thrive during the busiest periods of the admissions cycle.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, fully in-person, exempt position. Evening and weekend work is required.

The full-time salary range for this position is from $120,000 - $140,000. The starting salary is based upon, but not limited to, several factors that include type and years of experience, education level, and expertise.

We offer a compensation and benefits package that includes fully paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance for employees, employer contribution toward dependent insurance premium, a generous match on our retirement plan, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account, and free lunch. Eligibility rules must be met.

To Apply

Please submit your application information - cover letter describing your interest and preparedness for the position, a resume documenting your relevant experience and expertise, and contact information for three professional references including an explanation of your relationship - to the Nueva Employment Website.  To address specific questions, please email Melanie Leon, at mleon@nuevaschool.org

The Nueva School is an Equal Opportunity Employer – we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability or sex. We welcome applications from people of color and those with experience outside the education field. 

About The Nueva School

The Nueva School, an internationally recognized, nonprofit, independent day school, has served gifted learners since 1967. Today, Nueva serves nearly 1000 students in grades PreK–12. Nueva is located in the neighboring towns of Hillsborough and San Mateo, equidistant between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, serving six counties throughout the Bay Area of Northern California.

A constructivist school, Nueva is known for its distinctive inquiry-based interdisciplinary studies, project-based learning, and pioneering work in social-emotional learning and design thinking. The Nueva community instills a passion for lifelong learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, and develops the imaginative mind. Our school has received the US Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Award, the US Department of Education National Green Ribbon Award, and the American Institute of Architects Award for School Design and Sustainability; has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program and appointed an Ashoka Changemaker School; co-founded the Common Ground Speaker Series; hosts the biennial Innovative Learning Conference, and was highlighted by the Pulitzer Prize–winning and New York Times best-selling author Thomas Friedman in his book That Used to Be Us in the chapter “Average Is Over.”

For more information about The Nueva School, visit our website: www.nuevaschool.org.