Position Overview
The Head of Admissions and Communications is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving enrolment growth, delivering an exceptional admissions experience, and fostering strong parent relationships throughout the student lifecycle. The position ensures every prospective and current family feels deeply connected to Pathways World School's values, academic distinction, and vibrant IB community culture.
The ideal candidate will bring 12–15 years of professional experience, including a minimum of 5 years in a senior client-facing leadership role across Admissions, Sales, Marketing, or Client Relationship Management within premium K–12/international schools or high-touch service industries such as hospitality, aviation, luxury brands, or wealth management. The role requires a poised, articulate, and people-centric professional with exceptional communication, relationship-building, and consultative sales skills. A fast learner with strong emotional intelligence and the ability to engage meaningfully with diverse parent communities will thrive in this position.
Key Responsibilities
Admissions Leadership
- Lead the complete admissions experience - from inquiry, counselling, assessments, conversion, and enrolment, to onboarding.
- Develop and execute the annual Admission Strategy to meet enrolment targets across PYP, MYP, and DP.
- Design high-impact engagement journeys that communicate the value of the IB curriculum and Pathways unique educational proposition.
- Uphold world-class standards of responsiveness, empathy, and personalisation.
Data-Driven Enrolment Strategy
- Leverage data analytics to track pipeline performance, monitor conversion metrics, segment audiences, and strengthen forecasting.
- Present weekly/quarterly dashboards to the School Director and Corporate Leadership with insights on enrolment performance, market trends, and competitor behaviour.
- Evaluate and refine marketing and outreach initiatives using data-led insights to optimise ROI.
Parent Engagement
- Build strong, trust-based relationships with parents as key partners and evangelists in student growth and school success.
- Manage escalations with composure, empathy, and timely resolution with the academic and boarding team.
Communication
- Support the School Director in drafting, reviewing, and refining strategic communications to parents, staff, and external stakeholders.
- Ensure all parent-facing communication - circulars, policy updates, newsletters, advisories, onboarding materials, academic communications etc are accurate, polished, consistent, and aligned with Pathways tone, values, and brand guidelines.
- Serve as the official spokesperson during crises or sensitive situations, delivering clear, transparent, and timely communication.
- Handle media and press interactions with confidence - coordinate interviews, manage queries, prepare statements, and build media relationships.
Brand & Outreach Development
- Collaborate with Marketing, Communications, and Academic teams to reinforce Pathways position as a leading global IB institution.
- Lead domestic and international outreach - school fairs, roadshows, events, corporate HR collaborations, relocation consultants, preschools, feeder schools, and global counsellor networks.
- Ensure all admissions communications embody the brand's inclusive, global, and future-ready ethos.
Team & Process Excellence
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing Admissions and Parent Engagement team grounded in empathy, service excellence, and accountability.
- Set clear KPIs and implement structured performance reviews, coaching sessions, and capability-building workshops.
- Enhance operational systems - CRM adoption, SOP enhancements, compliance standards, and digital transformation.
- Drive innovative approaches to streamline processes and elevate family experience.
Core Competencies & Skills
- Proven leadership in client relationship roles - preferred backgrounds include premium hospitality, aviation, corporate service, luxury retail, or international education admissions.
- Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; confidence in engaging with high-profile stakeholders.
- Strong EQ with a culturally sensitive and service-oriented approach.
- Proficiency in CRM systems and data-driven decision-making.
- Collaborative leadership, resource planning, and multi-project management capability.
- Strategic thinking balanced with hands-on operational execution.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Education Management, or a related field preferred.
- Familiarity with IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP) and global education trends is desirable; passion for education is essential.
Success Indicators
- Achievement of sustainable enrolment growth with improved conversion benchmarks.
- High parent satisfaction scores and strengthened parent advocacy.
- Enhanced market positioning and competitive standing.
- Operational excellence and a consistently exceptional client facing experience.
Why Pathways World School
Pathways World School is a distinguished IB World School with a legacy of holistic learning, academic innovation, and global citizenship. This role offers the opportunity to influence and shape our community - welcoming families who share our belief in a future built on creativity, values, and global perspective.
