Our client is looking for a Director of Admissions who will be responsible for all aspects of student recruitment, marketing, and enrollment for one of the top flight schools in the Midwest. This role owns the full admissions funnel-from first inquiry through start date-and is accountable for inquiry volume, conversion rates, student experience, and enrollment targets for both domestic and international programs. The Director partners closely with Flight Operations and Finance to ensure an accurate, high-integrity admissions process that aligns with our clients Mission, Conviction, and Core Values.
- Own the overall recruitment strategy and lead generation plan (local, regional, national, and international as applicable).
- Respond to and follow up with all inquiries in a timely, professional manner; build relationships with prospective students and families.
- Plan and attend recruitment events, career fairs, open houses, campus visits, and school presentations; develop event playbooks and follow-up workflows.
- Develop and maintain relationships with high schools, counselors, aviation organizations, community partners, and industry partners.
- Coordinate with internal team members to ensure accurate program availability, start dates, and training timelines are communicated to prospects.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with industry partners, including airlines, corporate flight departments, charter operators, universities, and aviation organizations, to strengthen career pathways and enrollment outcomes.
- Lead and execute marketing initiatives (digital, print, social, video, email, and event-based) that drive qualified inquiries and applications.
- Oversee creation and upkeep of admissions and marketing collateral (brochures, presentations, videos, website content, and email sequences).
- Manage social media channels with consistent, on-brand content and community engagement.
- Monitor website performance and optimize SEO, landing pages, and lead capture to improve conversion.
- Track marketing performance (source attribution, cost per lead, conversion rates, ROI) and adjust tactics for maximum impact.
- Manage the marketing/admissions budget and allocate resources effectively across campaigns, events, and advertising channels.
- Own the end-to-end admissions process: application guidance, document collection, interviews, acceptance decisions, and enrollment completion.
- ???????Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective students and families, answering questions on training pathways, curriculum, scheduling expectations, and career outcomes.
- Provide clear guidance on medical requirements, prerequisites, financing options, and enrollment timelines; coordinate with Finance on payment plans/loan processes.
- Conduct admissions interviews to assess fit, readiness, professionalism, and commitment to program standards.
- Maintain admissions policies, checklists, and standard operating procedures to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance.
- Coordinate start-date readiness and handoff to operations/student services to ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of prospects and applicants in the CRM/database; ensure data integrity and consistent pipeline stages.
- Build and maintain dashboards and reports for leadership on admissions and marketing KPIs (inquiries, appointments, applications, deposits, enrollments, conversion rates, cycle time, and source performance).
- Analyze funnel performance and implement improvements to reduce lead response times, increase conversion, and improve student experience.
- Ensure admissions communications and documentation are organized, audit-ready, and aligned with internal standards.
- Collaborate with Flight Operations and leadership to align enrollment capacity with staffing, aircraft availability, and training schedules.
- Ensure admissions messaging is accurate and aligned with current program structure, pricing, policies, and operational realities.
- Model and actively foster the Mission, Conviction, and Core Values of Ignite Flight Academy in all interactions.
- When applicable, lead, coach, and develop admissions support staff and/or interns; set expectations, provide feedback, and maintain performance standards.
- 3-7+ years of experience in admissions, sales, recruiting, or marketing with measurable pipeline and conversion success required.
- Strong communication skills (written, phone, video, and in-person) with a high level of professionalism.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple leads and priorities, follow processes, and meet deadlines.
- Data-driven mindset with proficiency using CRM tools, spreadsheets, dashboards, and performance reporting.
- Experience in aviation is a plus.
- Bachelor's degree is preferred in a related field preferred (business, communications, marketing, education, aviation, or similar).
- Ability to work occasional evenings/weekends for events and tours as needed.
