Director of Admissions – Cranleigh School

Cranleigh is seeking to appoint an exceptional Director of Admissions - reporting directly to the Head, and a member of the Executive Team, the postholder will be a pivotal ambassador for the School.

Salary: In the region of £80,000-£90,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience

Founded in 1865, Cranleigh is a highly successful independent co-educational day and boarding school set in the beautiful surroundings of the Surrey Hills, within easy reach of London. With 700 pupils in Cranleigh Senior and 300 in Cranleigh Prep, the School benefits from an extensive, well-equipped campus, a warm and distinctive community, and a whole-person ethos in which character, ambition, and belonging are inseparable.

This is a particularly exciting time to be joining Cranleigh as it celebrates its 160th anniversary. In a challenging sector, the School is energised, buoyant and growing – in the UK, with a new Sixth Form Centre and Pre-School, and internationally, with plans to add to its existing portfolio of four schools. Cranleigh is well-placed to build on its reputation as one of the country’s leading boarding and day schools.

Cranleigh is seeking to appoint an exceptional Director of Admissions to lead pupil recruitment strategy across the full 3–18 age range. Reporting directly to the Head, Sam Price, and a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the postholder will be a pivotal ambassador for Cranleigh – driving a bold, insight-led approach to recruitment that reflects the School’s values, strengthens relationships with families, feeder schools and agents, and supports its long-term ambitions.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious, forward-thinking leader who combines commercial acumen and strategic insight with emotional intelligence and the warmth to act as a compelling ambassador for the School. The postholder will bring a data-led mindset, strong relationship-building skills, and the drive to deliver measurable growth – inspiring an established team of eight across two sites to deliver an admissions experience that is consistently exceptional.

This high-profile role will most likely be suited to an experienced professional from within the education sector with a proven track record in admissions and/or marketing. Alternatively, this position could be suited to an exceptional individual from outside the education sector with excellent customer-facing, sales-related or business development experience with an intuitive feel for the independent boarding market.

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics in the first instance to arrange an informal and confidential discussion with Cat Sutherland-Hawes via: catrionasutherland-hawes@rsacademics.com

The closing date for applications is 10.00am (UK time) on Monday 11^th May 2026.

Early applications are encouraged as the School reserves the right to make an early appointment.

Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now” and upload your documents according to the instructions provided. 

You should submit the following (both in PDF format):

• A completed application form
• A covering letter addressed to the Head, Sam Price. The letter should explain your reasons for applying and suitability for the role.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments), at: applications@rsacademics.com. Jonathan can also be reached by calling our Head Office on +44 (0) 204 6269 791.

Cranleigh School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate information brochure.

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.