The High Mountain Institute is seeking a Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, a full-time administrative, FLSA-exempt position reporting to the Head of School. The Director is responsible for overseeing all marketing, recruiting, admissions, and financial aid initiatives for the school in order to maximize enrollment and meet strategic enrollment priorities. The Director serves as a senior school leader and supervises two or more associates. 

The ideal candidate will have previous marketing and/or admissions experience, preferably in an educational or non-profit setting. The candidate will be a strong communicator and public speaker, an innovative storyteller, and have an eye for design. The candidate will be passionate about increasing diversity and access in the independent school and outdoor recreation industries, and be a champion of equity in the school’s admissions, marketing, and enrollment efforts. 

Primary Job Responsibilities:

Admissions and Financial Aid

• Oversee all admissions and financial aid initiatives for the HMI Semester, Summer Term, Gap, and short programs

• Maintain and develop relationships with contacts at sending schools, camps, and educational non-profits; introduce HMI to new schools and administrators

• Cultivate relationships with parents and students that lead to applications

• Travel for 5-10 weeks per year for admissions and create promotion & travel schedules for the admissions team (100+ school visits, evening presentations, administrative visits, virtual events, etc.)

• Advance initiatives to increase diversity in the student body

• Collaborate with HMI’s alumni and parent community to engage prospective students and families

• Manage and improve HMI’s website and online portals 

• Oversee HMI digital marketing efforts via digital ads, social media, and professional videos

• Create and maintain a library of promotional print materials for admissions use

• Make and communicate admissions decisions for all HMI programs

• Oversee & manage financial aid awards; set HMI financial aid policy

• Collaborate with the Semester Schools Network on shared initiatives and events

• Serve as an advocate for students and families receiving financial aid 

Other

• Serve as a member of HMI’s administrative team and fulfill administrative responsibilities, including serving as an Administrator on Call.

• Serve as an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion principles across all departments

• Supervise an Admissions Associate (1.0 FTE) and Gap Admissions Associate (1.0 FTE)

• Opportunity to lead backpacking trips, gain wilderness medicine certifications and engage with students as appropriate

• 10% of every position is doing whatever needs to be done at HMI

Minimum Qualifications: 

• BA/BS, 2+ years of admissions and/or marketing work, preferably in an educational or non-profit setting

• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite

• Current driver's license

• Ability to pass a criminal background check and drug screen

• Ability to travel independently around the country (in planes, trains, rental cars, etc)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with web design and online marketing tools (e.g. Wordpress, Google Analytics, digital advertising)

• Experience with database/CRM systems

• Experience with graphic design/video production

• Experience with the financial aid process/industry

• Experience in an independent school, outdoor program, or camp setting

• Experience supervising and managing personnel

• Experience advocating for and supporting diversity, equity, & inclusion efforts within an organization

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong communication and public speaking skills

• Highly organized self-starter/entrepreneur; strong multi-tasking skills

• Teamwork, communication, commitment to feedback

• Creative thinker; innovator; story-teller

Start Date: June 2025

Location: On-site at our campus in Leadville, CO. This position may qualify for remote-work status after two years. 

Position Pay & Benefits: 

• $48,000-$63,000 salary DOE

• Health, dental, and vision benefits 

• 4-9% retirement benefits match after 1 year 

• 6-8 weeks of vacation per year

• On-campus housing or housing stipend

• Annual professional development opportunities 

About the High Mountain Institute:  Founded in 1995, HMI is a nonprofit independent school with a focus on outdoor, experiential, and place-based education. HMI serves approximately 175 students per year across its high school, summer, and gap programming. About 30% of students receive financial aid and a similar percentage identify as people of color. All HMI students participate in extended wilderness expeditions lasting from 10-21 days. HMI is not a rehabilitative or wilderness therapy program. HMI students are high-achieving, healthy students seeking challenge, a strong community, and a deeper connection to nature. HMI has nearly 30 year-round staff, most of whom live on campus. Learn more at: www.hminet.org.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion at HMI: The High Mountain Institute is committed to building a more diverse and affirming school and outdoor industry. HMI is an equal opportunity employer that strives for diversity by honoring the differences of each member of our community. We seek to build a community (of faculty, staff, students, and trustees) that is ethnically, socio-economically, and geographically diverse and that brings a diversity of experience, background, talent, and perspective. People of color, LGBTQ and gender nonbinary people, and people with other historically-marginalized identities are encouraged to apply. Learn more at: www.hminet.org/dei.

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume via email to Molly Lovett, Administrative Coordinator & Registrar, at [email protected] and fill out the HMI Prospective Employment Form online. We begin our initial review of applications on March 17 and will continue reviewing applications until the position is filled. Correspondence via e-mail is preferred.

The school reserves the right to change or add to this job description at any time.