Associate Director of Admission Operations (Year-Round)

Job Description:

Shift:

First Shift The Associate Director of Admission Operations (AD) plays a critical role in ensuring that the admission process is accurate, student-centered, and operationally sound. Working in close partnership with admission counselors, the Executive Dean of Admission, and the AVP of Enrollment, Strategy, & Data Analytics, this position serves as the operational lead for the admission team. This role is responsible for managing the processes, data integrity, and workflows that power the enrollment funnel. This is a hands-on, detail-oriented role for a professional who thrives at the intersection of people, process, and data. The Associate Director manages the full admissions lifecycle, from application completion and financial aid review through decision release, ensuring that applicants are guided thoughtfully through the process and that institutional records remain complete, accurate, and reliable. A central focus of this position is supporting applicants and families in completing admission and financial aid requirements. Through proactive outreach and clear communication, the Associate Director helps remove barriers to completion, allowing every applicant to be reviewed on the strength of a complete and accurate file. This position offers the opportunity to apply broad-based knowledge of enrollment management and financial aid while serving as an arts advocate at one of the nation's premier arts education centers. The Office of Admission & Financial Aid works with thousands of qualified elementary through high school-age students from around the world each year across numerous artistic disciplines and study sessions. This position is a full time remote position which includes a complete benefits package.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Applicant & Family Support Engage directly with applicants and families to provide guidance on completing admission and financial aid requirements. Proactively identify incomplete applicant populations that require intervention, and coordinate targeted outreach to support timely completion of application requirements. Help applicants identify an alternate program fit if their first choice program is not a viable option. Communicate clearly and empathetically with families regarding requirements, timelines, and next steps. Admissions Operations & Quality Control Design and maintain efficient operational processes and suggest adjustments to improve team-wide workflows. Ensure accurate and timely movement of applicants through all stages of the admissions process. Manage high-stakes decision release processes, including data validation, testing, and final quality checks. Conduct regular audits and reconcile discrepancies across systems to ensure data integrity. Financial Aid Processing Conduct comprehensive reviews of financial aid applications to confirm completeness and identify missing documentation. Verify and process financial data for complex files, including dual-households and international income verification. Provide guidance to families on income documentation, financial aid application requirements, and navigating the financial aid platform. Coordinate data flow between financial aid systems and the student information system to ensure consistency and accuracy. Collaboration & Institutional Stewardship Partner with enrollment leadership to execute strategic enrollment priorities through operational excellence. Support recruitment activities, including occasional travel and evening or weekend events. Comply with ICA policies/procedures and act as a good steward of ICA finances. Respect the culture, diversity and rights of all students, their families and the community. Prioritize daily duties to align with organizational growth and strategic enrollment objectives. Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience and Skills:

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred Minimum three years of experience in an education or nonprofit setting, with a focus on operations, admissions, financial aid, enrollment management, or enrollment technology Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build meaningful relationships and provide supportive guidance to students and families Exceptional attention to detail, sound judgment, and proactive problem-solving abilities Comfort with financial concepts, including reviewing income documentation, tax returns, and asset information Strong data management and analytical skills, including experience with spreadsheets, reporting, and data analysis Experience with CRM systems, preferably Salesforce, and/or financial aid application software preferred Background in arts education, independent schools, higher education, or other mission-driven organizations preferred Affinity for the arts and a passion for supporting young artists and creative communities Experience processing financial aid applications preferred Proficiency with Mac operating systems, Google Workspace, and Salesforce Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion and accuracy Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet long-term goals and deadlines Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of constituents Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, with an appreciation for diverse perspectives and artistic expression Timely, responsive, and customer-service oriented approach to work

Benefits:

Health, dental, and vision insurance Vacation, Sick, Holiday and generous winter holiday time off Life insurance Voluntary life insurance Short and long-term disability Employee development & tuition reimbursement programs 403(b) plan, managed by TIAA Free or discounted employee tickets to Interlochen performances and events •some exceptions apply Early event ticket purchase before general public sales begin Free Stone Cafeteria meal on shift Dennison Recreation Center accessibility (includes spouses) Priority access to Interlochen employees at Pitter Patter Day Care Center (less than one mile from campus) Employee Referral Program (cash payments) Tuition discounts for employee's children at Academy, Camp and Interlochen Online Parental leave (12 weeks paid for Pregnancy/Maternity/Childbirth leave, 6 weeks paid for Parental leave). Interlochen is proud to provide priority placement at Pitter Patter Preschool & Childcare located in the Interlochen Community Center, near our campus, for employees' dependents. In addition, Interlochen employees may be eligible for the MI Tri-Share Program. This program shares the cost of childcare between the state of Michigan, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the employee (The employee will only pay 1/3 of the total cost, if eligible). Income guidelines and more information about MI Tri-Share can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/mwc/initiatives/mi-tri-share-child-care. Core Values Just An Idea reflects Interlochen's commitment to innovation, honoring its legacy of groundbreaking ideas while continuing to pioneer new advancements in the arts and education. Drawn Here emphasizes the passion that unites Interlochen's diverse community, bringing together students, staff, alumni, and supporters in a shared mission to elevate and inspire through the arts. The Artist's Journey highlights the nurturing environment Interlochen provides, supporting artists from potential to mastery through creativity, discipline, and a dedication to growth. Solo e Tutti captures the balance of individuality and collaboration, celebrating both personal artistic development and the power of working together to create meaningful, impactful work. These Core Values guide everything we do at Interlochen, fostering a workplace that seamlessly marries tradition with innovation; art with nature; and collaboration with personal achievement. Joining our community means making a lasting impact while embracing the unique creative spirit that defines our culture. Interlochen Center for the Arts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion (religious creed), age, disability status, genetics, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. EEOC Voluntary Self-Identification of Protected Veteran Status Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

From:

Interlochen Center for the Arts