Position Purpose

The Admissions Adviser plays a vital role in supporting Phillips Exeter Academy’s mission by guiding prospective students and families through the admissions process. Advisers serve as frontline representatives of the Academy, building and sustaining ongoing relationships with families that often require nuanced communication, trust-building, and cultural sensitivity. This position combines high-level customer service, process management, event coordination, and independent judgment to ensure an equitable, accurate, and welcoming admissions experience. Admissions advisers manage complex data systems, reporting tools, and workflows within CRM Systems (Slate) and other platforms, requiring technical proficiency and independent problem solving.  Supports Admissions Officers as needed.  Responsible for managing specific areas as assigned, often with project ownership and independent decision-making.

Job Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary contact for applicants and families via phone, email, portal, or in person, providing timely, accurate, and professional guidance. Manages nuanced, ongoing relationships that require independent judgment, diplomacy, cultural competency, and nurturing communication, far beyond one-time transactional support.
• Maintains and ensures the integrity of admissions data across systems, resolving discrepancies and safeguarding accuracy for institutional reporting
• Assesses applicant materials against established admissions standards to support fair, consistent, and high-quality decision-making. Provide coverage for the Admissions Office and visitor check-in, serving as the first point of contact for families and ensuring a professional and welcoming experience when the Visit Coordinator is unavailable.
• Develop and maintain process documentation to support consistency, transparency, and efficiency.
• Responsible for key areas that include:
• Communications - Manage high-volume, multi-channel communication with prospective families, ensuring accurate, timely, and professional messaging that reflects the Academy’s values.
• Event Management - planning, logistics, and execution of major admissions events such as open house, campus revisit days, virtual events, etc. This often includes cross-department coordination.
• Family & Alumni Relations - Foster ongoing relationships with families and alumni throughout the admissions cycle, requiring nuanced communication, diplomacy, and support. Serve as a consistent point of contact, strengthening ties to the Academy.
• Program Relations - Coordinate admissions programming and liaise with internal departments, alumni, and student ambassadors to deliver impactful, mission-aligned experiences.
• System Integration - Oversee the integrity of applicant data across CRM and related systems, resolving discrepancies and collaborating within interdepartmentally as needed.
• Exception Handling - Resolves application exceptions (late/missing documents, policy clarifications, fee waivers, technical issues etc.) with independent judgment.
• Reporting and Analytics - Generate reports, conduct audits, and analyze trends to ensure data accuracy and provide insights that inform admissions strategy.
• Confidently works in Microsoft Office at an intermediate or advanced level; especially in Excel.
• Leads and contributes to strategic initiatives and cross-functional projects to enhance admissions operations and ensure exceptional applicant experiences, taking ownership of additional initiatives as needed to maintain seamless office performance.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of Academy life.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships.
• Strong project management and technical systems skills in addition to excellent clerical skills. High degree of organizational skills with the ability to be flexible and multi-task with accuracy.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills as well as a strong customer focus.
• Demonstrated ability to make independent and coordinated decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• A strict adherence to confidential policies is required.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with students by building trust and credibility.
• Ability to follow verbal and written directions, maintain a professional demeanor and restraint at all times, including stressful situations.
• Proficient in MS Office and relational databases; Willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed to be more efficient.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.

Direct/Indirect Reports

None.

Position Requirements

Education

• High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of professional customer service or client-facing experience, demonstrating the ability to manage sensitive, complex and high-stakes interactions.
• Experience working with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems or other relational databases; Slate or similar admissions platforms strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in admissions, education, or a related setting preferred.

Additional Requirements

    Successfully complete a criminal background check (reviewed every 5 years).

About Phillips Exeter Academy

Phillips Exeter Academy, a co-educational residential school serving students in grades 9 through 12, and post-graduate level, was founded in 1781 by John Phillips. Exeter has a tradition of academic excellence, a distinguished faculty, and a long history of educating young people to find their place in the world. The 671-acre campus with academic and residential buildings, a 309,432 volume library, playing fields and green lawns is located in Exeter, a southern New Hampshire town which retains its 18th-century New England charm. The Academy enrolls more than 1000 students from around the world. Exeter offers a rich curriculum with over 400 courses taught by over 200 faculty in eighteen academic departments. The Academy employs approximately 495 staff who support the living, learning and teaching environment of a diverse student body. The Academy's longstanding commitment to excellence has made the school one of the finest in the country. To learn more about Phillips Exeter Academy, visit http://www.exeter.edu/. The Academy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, marital status, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, vet...eran status, national origin, genetic information, or physical or mental disabilities which do not prevent performance of essential job tasks. The Academy is committed to recruiting, supporting and fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff and students. Applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at Phillips Exeter Academy