Director of Enrollment Management

Catlin Gabel is widely recognized as one of the premier independent schools in the Pacific Northwest, with a strong market position built on inspired learning that leads to responsible action. Catlin Gabel offers a rigorous and thoughtfully constructed curriculum that challenges students to think independently while nurturing each student’s curiosity and individuality. Its remarkable facilities, set on a stunning wooded campus, provide inspiring spaces for learning, creativity, athletics, and community life.

At the heart of Catlin Gabel is a deeply relational culture where students are truly known and valued. Faculty members serve not only as teachers but as mentors, advocates, champions, and intellectual guides. This powerful combination of rigor, belonging, and purpose prepares students to thrive well beyond graduation as confident, principled, and engaged contributors to the world.

Catlin Gabel’s strength today is grounded in a rich history that reflects decades of commitment to progressive education and whole child development. At Catlin Gabel, progressive education is more than a philosophy—it’s an approach to learning that develops in students the confidence, compassion, and critical thinking to lead courageously. Formed through the merger of two pioneering schools, Catlin Gabel has long stood for thoughtful innovation balanced with institutional stability.

Under the long tenure of its current Head of School, the community has experienced visionary leadership, strong enrollment demand, and deep alignment around mission and values, further solidifying its standing among Portland’s most respected schools. There is now genuine excitement as the school prepares to welcome a new Head of School who is returning home to Catlin Gabel. This moment represents both continuity and renewal, reinforcing the school’s cohesive culture while energizing its next chapter with leadership that understands and embodies the spirit of the Catlin Gabel community

Catlin Gabel is seeking a Director of Enrollment Management who will provide visionary and disciplined strategic leadership across all aspects of enrollment and financial assistance. As a member of the school’s Senior Administrative Leadership Team, this individual will play a central role in shaping institutional strategy, ensuring that enrollment, retention, tuition revenue, and financial assistance policies are fully aligned with the school’s mission and long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the Head of School and partnering closely with the Assistant Head of School for Strategic Initiatives, the Director will design and lead a comprehensive enrollment plan, oversee enrollment forecasting and net tuition strategy, strengthen market positioning, and utilize a data-informed approach to enrollment management. The role calls for a seasoned leader with deep experience managing complex enrollment operations, guiding multi-divisional teams, stewarding financial assistance resources strategically, identifying emerging opportunities, and building systems that position the school for continued strength in a dynamic and competitive landscape.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned and proven leader with deep experience in all aspects of enrollment, marketing, and admissions. Catlin Gabel strives to hire people committed to the school’s mission and values. The following qualifications are sought in the ideal candidate:

• Demonstrated success leading comprehensive enrollment management and financial assistance strategy in an independent school or college/university with a minimum of 5 years of senior leadership experience.
• Deep expertise in enrollment forecasting, net tuition revenue modeling, and financial assistance optimization.
• Strategic thinker and creative problem-solver with ability to see the big picture.
• Self-starter who experiments, innovates, and drives change through collaboration and vision, balancing urgency with culture.
• Financial acumen and comfort managing budgets and resource allocation.
• Commitment to working in and fostering an inclusive community and demonstrated high EQ in working with families of all backgrounds.
• Passionate about being present on campus and in the lives of students.
• Superior interpersonal, organizational, leadership, communication, and managerial skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other school community members.
• Skilled manager and strong team-builder who enjoys identifying and developing talent and consistently creates high-functioning teams and a welcoming atmosphere within the department.
• Operational excellence in managing admissions systems, CRM platforms, and enrollment workflows.
• Facile with the use of data to make strategic enrollment management decisions and to create effective board reports.
• Ability to manage multiple complex tasks, meet tight deadlines, and adapt to changing demands.
• Experience with enrollment management in a K-12 environment is desired but not required.