Director, Enrollment & Outreach

Director, Enrollment and Outreach

Starting Salary: $65,000/year PLUS Enrollment-based Performance Incentive Plan

Environment: Alternative and Special Education Programs, Grades K-12

Region Assignment: Northern Illinois -Waterman|Rockford|Lindenhurst

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a growing, dynamic organization with a social mission to offer hope, is seeking a Director, Enrollment and Outreach to join our award-winning team and perform meaningful work in a culture that welcomes innovation, encourages creative expression and offers limitless potential for personal and professional satisfaction!

If you're passionate about driving enrollment growth, dedicated to expanding access to exceptional alternative and special education services, thrive on building meaningful relationships, and value collaboration, innovation, and integrity We Should Talk!

As the Director, Enrollment and Outreach you will oversee and enhance student enrollment efforts for all education programs within an assigned region. This position develops and implements both short and long-term outreach strategies to support program enrollment goals while building strong relationships with students, families, community partners, local school districts and neighborhood organizations. The Director, Enrollment and Outreach serves as a trusted connector to diverse communities, guiding prospective students and families through the enrollment process, conducting enrollment meetings, completing required documentation, and ensuring all policies and procedures are implemented effectively.

Responsibilities Include:

• Serving as a visible and trusted ambassador for ChanceLight within the community and with prospective families by clearly communicating the organization's mission, vision, values, and commitment to student success.
• Developing creative and data-informed outreach strategies that generate prospective student interest, expand referral pipelines, and support enrollment goals across assigned programs.
• Building and strengthening strategic partnerships with community stakeholders, including schools, healthcare providers, therapists, pediatricians, parent-support groups, community organizations, and government agencies, to expand program visibility and referral opportunities.
• Attending and representing ChanceLight at conferences, community events, resource fairs, and marketing opportunities, including select evenings and weekends, to increase awareness and cultivate meaningful community relationships.
• Demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of school enrollment processes, program offerings, curriculum pathways, department functions, and applicable state graduation requirements to effectively guide prospective families.
• Maintaining accurate and organized databases of prospective students and families to support timely follow-up, targeted outreach campaigns, email communication, and ongoing engagement efforts.
• Conducting proactive outreach to prospective students and families through in-person visits, phone calls, emails, home visits, and other engagement methods to support enrollment progression.
• Creating a strong and sustainable referral network by cultivating relationships with alumni, parents, faculty, current students, community partners, and local stakeholders.
• Promoting family and community engagement by supporting policies, programs, outreach activities, and events that strengthen student, family, and school connections.
• Increasing community awareness through strategic communications, admissions events, open houses, referral partnerships, and other high-impact outreach initiatives.
• Identifying community-based wraparound service providers and connecting students and families with appropriate referrals, resources, and support services.
• Collaborating with internal teams to strengthen community engagement strategies and align outreach efforts with broader campus, regional, and organizational priorities.
• Managing the enrollment process by monitoring online inquiries, responding promptly to prospective families, and ensuring applicants receive clear, supportive guidance throughout each stage.
• Participating in school functions, student celebrations, open houses, family engagement activities, and community events to promote program awareness and support recruitment efforts.
• Educating and engaging faculty and staff to actively support enrollment, outreach, and family engagement initiatives.
• Maintaining consistent outreach and periodic follow-up with current and former students and families to promote satisfaction, loyalty, and long-term connection.
• Tracking recruitment, enrollment, outreach, and retention data to evaluate progress, measure strategy effectiveness, support enrollment goals, and inform continuous improvement.
• Overseeing the development and refinement of engaging admissions materials, promotional events, and strategic marketing initiatives that elevate program visibility.
• Collaborating with program leadership to promote new and ongoing initiatives that strengthen student recruitment, enrollment, engagement, and retention.
• Maintaining accurate admissions and enrollment data, analyzing the effectiveness of enrollment strategies, and providing timely reports to the Regional Vice President and school leadership.
• Collaborating with the Regional Vice President of Operations and site-based leaders to support campus, regional, and organizational goals, including strategic planning initiatives.
• Attending and actively participating in school-based and regional leadership meetings as required.
• Performing additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelors degree or higher in education or a related field of study.
• Master's degree or higher in a related field of study preferred.
• Hold currently or have the ability to obtain a valid state drivers license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in company approved crisis management training.
• Minimum 2 yr.'s prior experience working in a school administrative, staff supervisory, and/or budgetary management role preferred.
• Proven success in the development and implementation of marketing materials, public relations and sales functions to support school enrollment.
• Prior experience and/or knowledge in alternative and special education services, school operations, quality assurance and compliance requirements.
• Highly skilled in working with at-risk students with diverse needs at various levels.
• Prior experience and highly knowledgeable in working with students with individualized education plans (IEP's).
• Prior experience and/or highly proficient in reading, writing, analyzing and interpreting detailed reports and business correspondence.
• History of success building credibility, effectively managing multiple projects and collaborating effectively across all organizational levels.
• Proven ability to manage complex and/or sensitive information, maintaining confidentiality and objectivity.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff members, students, parents, and the public.
• Highly skilled in building relationships with students, parents, teachers and community and/or district partners.
• Proven ability to effectively prioritize tasks and meet deadlines while maintaining organization and attention to detail.
• Advanced oral and written communication, organization, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem solving, and decision-making ability.
• Well-versed in the use of relevant technology including experience with computers, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry and basic office equipment.

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education is the nation's leading provider of alternative and special education programs for children and young adults. For more than 50 years, and in partnership with over 235 school districts nationwide, we have helped change the direction of more than 240,000 student lives!

At ChanceLight we believe in providing more than just a job, as a member of our team you'll receive the opportunity to make meaningful impacts, the support needed to achieve success, and all the tools essential to reaching your personal & professional fulfillment! Your path to a truly rewarding career starts here where growth, empowerment, and collaboration define our culture; and every day is a Chance to transform lives through education!

Perks and Benefits Include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• FREE Telehealth and Virtual Counseling Sessions
• FREE Health Advocacy Services and 24/7 Nurse Line
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Personal Protection Insurance Plans
• Cigna Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies Program
• Legal Services Insurance
• Pet Health Insurance
• Accrual-based Paid Time Off
• School Hours and Paid Holiday Schedule
• Extensive Personal and Life Event Paid Leave Policy
• 401k Retirement Saving Plan
• Perks at Work Employee Discount Program
• Opportunities for Growth & Development
• And So Much More!

If you're ready to start making lasting impacts on the lives of students and contribute to the creation of a brighter future This Is Your Chance!

Join us and together, we can empower students to overcome challenges, build confidence and unlock their full potential!

Careers, With ChanceLight Work. With Purpose.

Copyright 2026 ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a ChanceLight company *Benefit plans and eligibility requirements may vary based on role and employment status.

Travel Required: Yes. Attending