Director of College Counseling

Position Scope

The Director of College Counseling leads the school’s comprehensive college counseling program, providing vision, strategy, and day-to-day oversight to ensure each student receives personalized guidance throughout the college search and application process. This role supervises and mentors the college counseling team, collaborates with faculty, advisors, and administrators to align academic planning with college goals, and actively builds relationships with colleges and universities to enhance opportunities for students.

Importantly, the Director maintains a reduced student caseload to remain closely connected to the student experience, model best practices in counseling, and provide informed leadership to the team. The position will commence on July 1, 2026.

Essential Functions

• Design, implement, and continually refine a four-year college counseling curriculum that supports students’ academic, extracurricular, and personal growth.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate members of the college counseling team, fostering a collaborative culture and encouraging professional development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with college admission offices; host representatives on campus, advocate for students, and represent the school at professional gatherings.
• Partner closely with the Lead Program Advisor to ensure consistency and alignment in academic planning and college preparation messaging.
• Work with faculty, department chairs, and administrators to ensure students are appropriately challenged and supported; participate in divisional and all-school leadership meetings.
• Oversee and deliver parent and student programming, including information nights, workshops, and events that educate and engage the community about the college process.
• Maintain clear, timely, and proactive communication with students, families, and faculty about deadlines, policies, and trends in higher education.
• Oversee accurate maintenance of student records in the school’s counseling software (e.g., SCOIR), track outcomes, and prepare annual reports for internal use.
• Stay current on trends in higher education and admission, representing the school in national and regional associations (e.g., NACAC, SACAC, ACCIS).
• Travel to colleges and conferences throughout the year to represent the school, strengthen relationships, and remain current on admission practices.
• Serve as a visible and active member of the school community, supporting its mission and participating in programs and activities as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in education, counseling, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in college counseling or college admissions, with demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience.
• Proven ability to build relationships with colleges and universities and to advocate effectively for students.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to think strategically, lead a team, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

General Expectations

• Support and model The Bolles School mission.
• Build positive partnerships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Contribute to school life through committees, events, and activities.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to move about campus regularly and attend events, meetings, and activities across multiple locations.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 15 pounds (e.g., boxes of materials, event supplies).
• Visual and auditory ability to interact with students, families, and colleagues in person and virtually.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for programs, events, and travel.

• Ability to travel both locally and nationally to colleges, conferences, and professional gatherings throughout the year.