The High Mountain Institute is seeking a Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, a full-time administrative, FLSA-exempt position reporting to the Head of School. The Director is responsible for overseeing all marketing, recruiting, admissions, and financial aid initiatives for the school in order to maximize enrollment and meet strategic enrollment priorities. The Director serves as a senior school leader and supervises two or more associates. 

The ideal candidate will have previous marketing and/or admissions experience, preferably in an educational or non-profit setting. The candidate will be a strong communicator and public speaker, an innovative storyteller, and have an eye for design. The candidate will be passionate about increasing diversity and access in the independent school and outdoor recreation industries, and be a champion of equity in the school’s admissions, marketing, and enrollment efforts. 

Primary Job Responsibilities:

Admissions and Financial Aid

• Oversee all admissions and financial aid initiatives for the HMI Semester, Summer Term, Gap, and short programs
• Maintain and develop relationships with contacts at sending schools, camps, and educational non-profits; introduce HMI to new schools and administrators
• Cultivate relationships with parents and students that lead to applications
• Travel for 5-10 weeks per year for admissions and create promotion & travel schedules for the admissions team (100+ school visits, evening presentations, administrative visits, virtual events, etc.)
• Advance initiatives to increase diversity in the student body
• Collaborate with HMI’s alumni and parent community to engage prospective students and families
• Manage and improve HMI’s website and online portals 
• Oversee HMI digital marketing efforts via digital ads, social media, and professional videos
• Create and maintain a library of promotional print materials for admissions use
• Make and communicate admissions decisions for all HMI programs
• Oversee & manage financial aid awards; set HMI financial aid policy
• Collaborate with the Semester Schools Network on shared initiatives and events
• Serve as an advocate for students and families receiving financial aid 

Other

• Serve as a member of HMI’s administrative team and fulfill administrative responsibilities, including serving as an Administrator on Call.
• Serve as an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion principles across all departments
• Supervise an Admissions Associate (1.0 FTE) and Gap Admissions Associate (1.0 FTE)
• Opportunity to lead backpacking trips, gain wilderness medicine certifications and engage with students as appropriate
• 10% of every position is doing whatever needs to be done at HMI

Minimum Qualifications: 

• BA/BS, 2+ years of admissions and/or marketing work, preferably in an educational or non-profit setting
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite
• Current driver’s license
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and drug screen
• Ability to travel independently around the country (in planes, trains, rental cars, etc)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with web design and online marketing tools (e.g. WordPress, Google Analytics, digital advertising)
• Experience with database/CRM systems
• Experience with graphic design/video production
• Experience with the financial aid process/industry
• Experience in an independent school, outdoor program, or camp setting
• Experience supervising and managing personnel
• Experience advocating for and supporting diversity, equity, & inclusion efforts within an organization

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong communication and public speaking skills
• Highly organized self-starter/entrepreneur; strong multi-tasking skills
• Teamwork, communication, commitment to feedback
• Creative thinker; innovator; story-teller

Start Date: June 2025

Location: On-site at our campus in Leadville, CO. This position may qualify for remote-work status after two years. 

Position Pay & Benefits: 

• $48,000-$63,000 salary DOE
• Health, dental, and vision benefits 
• 4-9% retirement benefits match after 1 year 
• 6-8 weeks of vacation per year
• On-campus housing or housing stipend
• Annual professional development opportunities 

About the High Mountain Institute: 

Founded in 1995, HMI is a nonprofit independent school with a focus on outdoor, experiential, and place-based education. HMI serves approximately 175 students per year across its high school, summer, and gap programming. About 30% of students receive financial aid and a similar percentage identify as people of color. All HMI students participate in extended wilderness expeditions lasting from 10-21 days. HMI is not a rehabilitative or wilderness therapy program. HMI students are high-achieving, healthy students seeking challenge, a strong community, and a deeper connection to nature. HMI has nearly 30 year-round staff, most of whom live on campus. Learn more at: www.hminet.org.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion at HMI:

The High Mountain Institute is committed to building a more diverse and affirming school and outdoor industry. HMI is an equal opportunity employer that strives for diversity by honoring the differences of each member of our community. We seek to build a community (of faculty, staff, students, and trustees) that is ethnically, socio-economically, and geographically diverse and that brings a diversity of experience, background, talent, and perspective. People of color, LGBTQ and gender nonbinary people, and people with other historically-marginalized identities are encouraged to apply. Learn more at: www.hminet.org/dei.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume via email to Molly Lovett, Administrative Coordinator & Registrar, at admissionsdirector@hminet.org and fill out the HMI Prospective Employment Form online. Correspondence via e-mail is preferred.

The school reserves the right to change or add to this job description at any time

The High Mountain Institute seeks a Community & Culture Coordinator (CCC), a year-round, full-time, FLSA-exempt position reporting to the Head of School. The position coordinates HMI’s efforts to cultivate an inclusive and diverse learning and working community, working directly with students and adults across HMI’s programs and collaborating with school leadership on strategic priorities and projects. In partnership with the Program Directors (Directors of the HMI Semester, Director of Programs, Dean of the Apprentice Program, and Director of Wilderness Programs) and the Leadership Team as a whole, the CCC works to make HMI’s community, programs, and practices more inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all. 

The ideal candidate will have previous experience working with teenagers and young adults, as well as experience engaging with and leading diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in an educational or non-profit setting. The candidate will embody the school’s mission and core values, uphold HMI’s intentional community culture, and collaborate with school leadership to reach our strategic goals. The candidate will have experience supporting students and adults from all identities and backgrounds, and be passionate about increasing diversity and access in outdoor recreation and educational spaces. 

Primary Job Responsibilities:

HMI Community 

• Collaborate with Program Directors and the Admissions Team to attract, support, and retain students from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds
• Coordinate curriculum and oversee staffing of community affinity spaces
• Coordinate translation, interpretation, and accessibility services
• Manage a ~$10k departmental budget 
• Serve on Professional Development Committee

HMI Semester 

• Work with the Dean of the Apprentice Program to support and empower apprentices as community members and school culture influencers
• Work with the Semester Director of Students & Residential Life to co-facilitate the Student Diversity Council
• Coordinate residential life activities and support the residential life curriculum
• Perform overnight residential life duties
• Assist in coordinating general student support
• Mentor an apprentice, as needed, during the semester
• Advise 3-5 students per semester
• Co-lead 2-3 expeditions per year, as needed

HMI Programs

• Support Summer Term, Gap, Water Earth Fire, Educators Expedition, and other non-semester programs as needed

Community & Constituent Relations

• Engage with Alumni Council and Board members and subcommittees
• Explore organizational and strategic partnerships that strengthen HMI’s community connections and advance the school’s mission & strategic plan

Hiring and Human Resources

• Collaborate with Program Directors and Dean of Apprentices to develop systems for recruiting, supporting, and retaining talented employees from all backgrounds
• Serve on hiring committees as needed
• Chair the Welcoming & Belonging Committee, and serve on the Hiring Taskforce

10% of every position is doing whatever needs to be done at HMI; we are a collaborative and supportive community in meeting the changing needs of our school!

Term of Employment:

August 1, 2025-July 31, 2026

Position Pay & Benefits: 

• $40k-$48k total compensation, inclusive of salary and the value of housing
• 4-6 weeks paid vacation
• Housing: provided campus-adjacent housing (including utilities & snow removal) 
• Board: campus dining available while programs are in session 
• Health, dental, vision, and mental health benefits
• Retirement matching up to 9%
• Professional development & pro deal opportunities 
• Relocation assistance
• Sabbatical eligibility after 7 years service

About the High Mountain Institute:

Founded in 1995, HMI is a nonprofit independent school with a focus on outdoor, experiential, and place-based education. HMI serves approximately 175 students per year across its high school, summer, and gap programming. About 30% of students receive financial aid and a similar percentage identify as people of color. All HMI students participate in extended wilderness expeditions lasting from 10-21 days. HMI is not a rehabilitative or wilderness therapy program. HMI students are high-achieving, healthy students seeking challenge, a strong community, and a deeper connection to nature. HMI has nearly 30 year-round staff, about half of whom live on campus. Learn more at: www.hminet.org.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at HMI:

The High Mountain Institute is committed to building a more diverse and affirming school and outdoor industry. HMI is an equal opportunity employer that strives for diversity by honoring the differences of each member of our community. We seek to build a community (of faculty, staff, students, and trustees) that is ethnically, socio-economically, and geographically diverse and that brings a diversity of experience, background, talent, and perspective. People of color, LGBTQ and gender nonbinary people, and people with other historically-marginalized identities are encouraged to apply. Learn more at: www.hminet.org/dei.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume via email to Molly Lovett, Administrative Coordinator & Registrar, at ccc@hminet.org and fill out the HMI Prospective Employment Form online. We begin our initial review of applications on March 17 and will continue reviewing applications until the position is filled. Correspondence via e-mail is preferred.

The school reserves the right to change or add to this job description at any time