Lead admissions. Shape growth. Make an impact. ACS International Schools is looking for an experienced and commercially minded Dean of Admissions to lead the admissions function at our school and play a pivotal role in shaping its future growth.
This is a senior, highly visible role at the heart of school life. You’ll lead a talented Admissions team, build strong relationships with prospective families and key external partners, and work closely with Marketing and School Leadership to drive enrolment and retention.
With responsibility for a school of approximately 430 students, you’ll combine strategic thinking with a hands-on, family-focused approach. From welcoming prospective families to campus and guiding them through the admissions journey, to analysing enrolment trends and influencing future school planning, you’ll have a direct impact on the success and development of the school.
What you’ll be doing
Lead the Admissions function
- Oversee the day-to-day delivery of a professional, responsive and high-quality admissions service
- Lead and develop the Admissions team, including recruitment, training, performance management and motivation
- Meet prospective students and families, conduct campus tours and build lasting relationships throughout the admissions journey
- Oversee enquiries, applications, offers and admissions decisions, ensuring families receive a highly personalised experience
- Ensure admissions practices reflect the international, diverse and inclusive culture of ACS.
Drive enrolment and retention
- Develop and interpret admissions pipeline, enrolment and retention data to identify trends, opportunities and challenges
- Lead the school’s re-enrolment process, ensuring accurate and timely forecasting of student numbers
- Identify families who may be at risk of leaving and work with colleagues to support student retention
- Provide regular enrolment forecasts, reports and management information to School Leadership.
Be a key member of School Leadership
- Represent Admissions on the School Leadership Team and provide insight into enrolment trends, market opportunities and challenges
- Use admissions data and market intelligence to influence strategic planning and identify opportunities that can drive future enrolment
- Work closely with colleagues across the school to ensure Admissions is well connected to academic, operational and community developments.
Build relationships and promote ACS
- Partner closely with Marketing to deliver enrolment and marketing strategies in the UK and internationally
- Develop strong relationships with prospective families, relocation agents, education consultants, businesses, sponsoring organisations, schools and other influential stakeholders
- Act as an ambassador for ACS, its academic programmes and the exceptional experience it offers students and families
- Collaborate with Admissions and Marketing colleagues across ACS International Schools to share best practice and strengthen the ACS profile.
Lead the Financial Assistance Programme
- Manage and develop the Financial Assistance Programme across ACS schools, ensuring it operates effectively and in line with ACS’s vision and charitable aims
- Coordinate a cross-functional team across Admissions, Education, Finance, Marketing and IT
- Oversee budgets, reporting, awards and financial processes, ensuring the programme delivers a high-quality experience for families
- Ensure policies, procedures and decision-making processes remain effective, compliant and aligned with organisational priorities.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for an experienced admissions, education, marketing or business development professional who combines strategic thinking with exceptional relationship-building and customer service skills.
You’ll ideally have:
- A degree-level qualification; marketing, education or a related discipline would be advantageous
- Strong experience in Admissions, ideally within an international school environment
- Proven team leadership and people management experience
- Strong business development, relationship management and interpersonal skills
- Experience managing budgets and using data to inform planning and decision-making
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret admissions, enrolment and statistical data
- Confidence working with databases, CRM systems and general IT applications
- Experience delivering outstanding customer or family experiences in a busy, hands-on environment
- An understanding of international education and, ideally, experience with IB Diploma and Career-related Programmes and/or AP
- The ability to contribute confidently and constructively at School Leadership level.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Why this role matters
Admissions is central to the future of the school. Your insight into student numbers, market trends and enrolment opportunities will directly influence strategic planning, budgeting, staffing and the educational provision we can offer.
You’ll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference, not only by helping families find the right educational environment for their children, but by helping shape the continued growth and development of an internationally minded school community.
If you’re an ambitious admissions leader who thrives on building relationships, using insight to drive strategy and delivering an exceptional experience for families, we’d love to hear from you.
Safeguarding
ACS is committed to inclusion across race, gender, faith, identity and abilities. We believe that diversity helps us to fulfil our purpose, realise our vision and exemplify our values.
ACS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and employees of ACS are expected to share this commitment. This position is therefore subject to pre-employment compliance checks and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.