At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage admissions, support parents, and lead a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Ark Start, a growing organisation with 5 nurseries in South & West London.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: This is a permanent, full-time role with some travel to various nursery sites.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on families while working in a supportive and diverse team.
- Qualifications: Ideal candidates are organised, numerate, and thrive in collaborative settings.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 48000 Β£ per year.
Reporting to: Operations Director
Location: West London β with some travel to various Ark Start sites
Contract Type: Permanent
Pattern: Full-time (37.5 hrs per week)
Salary: c. Β£40,000 (depending on qualifications and experience)
About the role:
We are looking to recruit an Admissions and Parent Support Manager to join the Ark Start Team. The successful candidate will excel in a range of duties including team management, communicating with stakeholders, driving admissions, and ensuring consistent processes across the team, with high attention to detail. Ark Start operates 5 nurseries in South & West London and plans to expand. This role will lead a team of 2 admissions and customer service officers and support individual nurseries with admissions. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, numerate, and thrive working with diverse groups in a fast-growing organization.
Key responsibilities
- Management of the Admissions & Customer Services Team
- Maintain and update admissions systems to support efficiency
- Manage communication templates, process plans, and the admissions handbook
- Lead weekly occupancy meetings for approvals and communication
- Calculate occupancy and availability across nurseries
- Coordinate with finance on write-off procedures and approvals
- Support workload management and team coverage across nurseries
- Set up systems and processes for new nursery openings
- Implement local marketing initiatives and collaborate with the Digital Marketing team to promote nurseries
Admissions Process with Parents & Nurseries
- Lead admissions and customer service for up to 3 nurseries, overseeing all nurseries
- Communicate with parents via phone and email
- Manage initial inquiries and direct follow-up as needed
- Coordinate with nursery leads and senior staff to ensure accurate information and customer satisfaction
- Maintain and update management information systems
- Review and send monthly invoices and handle parent billing queries
- Oversee catering orders and ensure they match parent invoices
- Address initial complaints and escalate when necessary
- Follow up on outstanding payments and adjust processes to reduce debt levels
Reporting & Data Analysis
- Gather benchmarking data and report on local fees for pricing strategies
- Review weekly debt reports and produce summaries for management accounts
- Analyze catering data to minimize waste and improve ordering
- Provide occupancy and enquiry reports to support decision-making
- Prepare monthly reports on enquiries and occupancy, including forecasts, for SLT and marketing planning
Admissions and Parent Support Manager employer: Ark Schools
Contact Detail:
Ark Schools Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Admissions and Parent Support Manager
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the admissions process in early years education. Understanding how admissions work in nurseries will help you speak confidently about your experience and ideas during interviews.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the education sector, especially those involved in admissions and parent support. Attend relevant events or join online forums to build connections that could lead to valuable insights or referrals.
β¨Tip Number 3
Research Ark Start and its nurseries thoroughly. Knowing their values, mission, and current initiatives will allow you to tailor your conversations and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
β¨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Highlighting your leadership skills and ability to drive results will be crucial in showcasing your fit for the Admissions and Parent Support Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Admissions and Parent Support Manager
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in admissions, team management, and customer service. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage teams and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for supporting parents and children in the nursery environment. Mention your organisational skills and how you can contribute to the growth of Ark Start, referencing specific responsibilities from the job description.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since the role involves reporting and data analysis, include any experience you have with data management systems or analytical tools. Highlight your ability to gather and interpret data to support decision-making.
Prepare for Interviews: If invited for an interview, be ready to discuss your previous experiences in detail. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams, handled customer inquiries, and implemented processes in a fast-paced environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ark Schools
β¨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As an Admissions and Parent Support Manager, being highly organised is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the diverse responsibilities of the role.
β¨Communicate Effectively
Since the role involves a lot of communication with parents and stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Consider preparing for common questions about how you would handle inquiries or complaints, as well as how you would ensure customer satisfaction across nurseries.
β¨Familiarise Yourself with Data Analysis
The job requires reporting and data analysis skills. Brush up on your ability to interpret data and prepare reports. Be ready to discuss any relevant experience you have in analysing data to inform decision-making, especially in relation to admissions and occupancy.
β¨Demonstrate Team Leadership Experience
You will be managing a team, so it's important to highlight your leadership skills. Think of specific instances where you led a team or project, focusing on how you motivated others and ensured effective collaboration. This will show that you can lead the Admissions & Customer Services Team successfully.