Director, One-on-One Advising, Innovation & Advising

📋 Description

• • Kaplan, a distinguished leader in education and professional advancement for over 80 years, is at the forefront of educational innovation, blending technology with a passion for learning. We are seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Director, One-on-One Advising, Innovation & Advising to spearhead the growth and excellence of our premium admissions consulting practice.
• • This pivotal role is designed for an individual who thrives in a collaborative, innovative, and creative environment, aiming to deliver a best-in-class educational experience and contribute to making Kaplan an exceptional place to work. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in shaping the future of education by making a positive impact and inspiring change.
• • The core mission of this position is to drive significant revenue growth for Kaplan's 1:1 advising services. This will be achieved through the strategic leadership of a high-performing sales team, direct engagement in client consultations, and close collaboration with the marketing department to continuously expand consultation volume.
• • A key aspect of this role involves maintaining the highest quality standards in client service, ensuring client satisfaction, and fostering a strong referral network. Success will be measured by the increased number of families served, improved client outcomes, and robust overall growth of the advising practice.
• • **Drive Sales Growth:** You will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive strategies to elevate the revenue of the 1:1 advising practice. This includes setting ambitious team goals, meticulously managing the sales pipeline, and implementing initiatives to enhance conversion rates at every stage of the sales funnel. Continuous performance evaluation and tactical adjustments will be crucial to accelerate growth.
• • **Lead Sales as a Player-Coach:** This role demands a hands-on approach. You will personally conduct sales consultations to secure new clients, setting a benchmark for the consultative sales methodology expected of your team. Your expertise will be vital in building the team's capacity to convert high-intent families into loyal clients through ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and detailed call reviews.
• • **Manage and Develop the Advising Team:** You will lead the recruitment, onboarding, coaching, and performance management of a dedicated team of admissions consultants. Your leadership will ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery across all client engagements, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• • **Own Client Satisfaction:** A critical responsibility is to monitor client satisfaction metrics throughout the entire engagement lifecycle, from the initial consultation to application submission. You will proactively identify areas for improvement, implement effective corrective actions, and ensure that clients consistently achieve outcomes that validate their investment in Kaplan's services.
• • **Maintain Engagement Quality Standards:** You will establish and rigorously enforce quality standards for every client interaction. This includes defining the structure of advisory sessions, setting communication cadences, and ensuring the quality of all deliverables. Regular case reviews will be conducted to guarantee that consultants are performing at the highest expected level.
• • **Grow Consultation Volume:** You will be tasked with developing and testing innovative tactics to increase the flow of qualified consultations into the sales pipeline. This may involve implementing referral programs, refining outreach strategies, and optimizing conversion processes. The ability to rapidly scale successful initiatives and discontinue underperforming ones will be key.
• • **Partner with Marketing to Drive Awareness:** Close collaboration with the marketing team is essential. You will align marketing campaigns, content creation, and lead generation efforts with the practical realities of the sales funnel. Your frontline insights into prospective client responses and lead drop-off points will be invaluable for optimizing marketing strategies.
• • **Serve as the Face of Kaplan's 1:1 Practice:** You will represent Kaplan's expertise by leading webinars, participating in live events, and delivering engaging speaking engagements. These activities will build brand credibility, generate demand for the advising practice, and position Kaplan as a thought leader in college admissions for students, families, and institutional partners.