Vice President of Student Experience

Girard College is a full‑scholarship boarding school dedicated to fostering intellectual curiosity, social development, and emotional growth in academically driven students from underserved communities. Through a powerful combination of challenging academic programs and a dynamic residential experience, we ensure every student has the opportunity and the support to achieve excellence and prepare for advanced education.

The VPSE will be the architect of the holistic student experience, ensuring that every student’s journey at Girard College is rigorous, empowering, enriching, and aligned to our mission. You will lead the strategy for academic, social‑emotional, and residential development, ensuring that students thrive in school and are fully prepared for college, career, and life.

We are seeking an inspiring, visionary, and student‑centered executive leader to serve as our next Vice President of Student Experience (VPSE). This is a rare opportunity to join the executive team and shape the full continuum of student life at one of the country’s most mission‑driven and transformational educational institutions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic

• Lead and develop the Elementary/Middle School and High School programing guided by PA Core Standards and supported through culturally relevant curriculum. Effectively aligned resources, including technology, and prioritizes exploratory learning experiences that include dual enrollment/AP opportunities, after-school tutoring and summer academic programming.
• Drive a unified vision for student achievement, well‑being, and belonging across all grade levels (1–12).
• Lead instructional vision, strategy, and program to achieve excellent academic results, and promote a strong culture of teaching and learning from grades 1-12. 
• Partner with the executive team to advance strategic goals and maintain a culture of excellence, equity, and innovation.
• Drive the development and implement a professional development program for all teachers to ensure high-quality instruction, including new teacher induction, PLCs, collaborative planning, and teacher coaching. 
• Promote and lead regular data-informed progress monitoring and action planning sessions quarterly, reporting to the President and Board of City Trust’s Academic Committee.

Residential Life

• Lead and develop the Dean of Residential Life through progress monitoring, observations, coaching, and support.
• Drive a planning process to reimagine residential life at Girard College and how it can support the whole student.
• Champion high‑quality out‑of‑school‑time experiences that reflect Girard’s values and expand learning opportunities.
• Lead the development and implementation of a professional development program for all Residential Advisors, Assistant Deans, and Managers. 
• Lead the implementation and progress monitoring of all residential life programming.

Student Success

• Lead and develop the Director of Student Success through progress monitoring, observations, coaching, and support.
• Ensure the implementation of Girard’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) plan across academic and residential departments, prioritizing its alignment to our core values, providing high quality and data-informed support internally and, when necessary, partnering with outside organizations to extend support for students and families. 
• Ensure the execution of programming designed for caregivers and families to support their student’s success at Girard and their own personal development and growth as caregivers. 

Organization Wide Responsibilities

• Develop the leadership group across Student Experience departments by providing continual support and direction through observations, coaching, and performance feedback. 
• In partnership with Human Resources, support an effective recruitment and selection process.
• Reinforce a culture of respect, responsibility and equity that helps drive excellence and engagement while driving decision making that focuses on students’ and families’ best interests and needs. 

• Model the mission, beliefs, and values of Girard College.
• Maintain and promote an authentically collaborative “student experience” team that is thinking about the holistic experience of a student at Girard College and serve as the liaison between the student experience team and the executive team.
• Ensure aligned budgeting and fiscal responsibility of all departments under the Office of Student Experience with the collaboration of the finance leaders on campus and Girard Estate.
• Ensure all school-wide assessments are executed, and the use of the school’s student management system is accurate and used with fidelity to track student demographics, scheduling, attendance, discipline, grades, MTSS and aligned data across the school.
• In partnership with the Advancement Team, determine needs on campus to target grant funding requests and appropriately use granted dollars to enhance students' programs, opportunities, and outcomes. 
• In partnership with the Communications Team, promote the College, student experiences and achievements to all stakeholders through internal, external, social, and website mechanisms.
• Partner with the Admissions Team to support the prospective student admissions process, new family orientation, and new student orientation.
• In partnership with the Operations Team, ensure learning and living spaces meet the needs of all students programming and renovated spaces promote wellness, our core values, student voice, and innovation. 
• Represent the school in educational forums and engage in partnerships that enhance opportunities for students.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations (I.e. Title I, Title IX, Act 89, etc.)
• Develop, present and implement policies and procedures in collaboration with the President and Board of City Trust.
• Support the accreditation process and maintain accreditation standards.

Professional Experience

• A Master’s degree in Education or related field (doctorate preferred).
• Administrative certification or licensure.
• Minimum 5 years of educational leadership experience which has included implementing significant change management efforts.
• Demonstrated success in managing a comprehensive performance management system, including the use of meaningful metrics to assess organizational and individual achievement.
• Strong financial management and budgeting experience as an operational leader.  
• Proven experience leading and motivating employees through both large- and small-scale change management initiatives.

Key Skills 

• Deep understanding of student development across the student population.
• Understanding of student behavior management frameworks (e.g., MTSS, restorative practices).
• Ability to coordinate SEL programming and mental health supports.
• Comprehensive knowledge of PA Core Standards, curriculum development, and better educational practices.
• Commitment to fostering a safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate residential experience.
• Knowledge of best practices in dormitory management, supervision, and residential programming.
• Exceptional manager with the ability to manage at all levels and a capacity for building consensus, deep commitment to helping those they lead in operating from their strengths;
• Can easily balance high-level strategic work with day-to-day operational responsibilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to equity, belonging, and culturally responsive practices.

Benefits

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position offers a competitive salary range of $200,000 and robust medical, dental, and retirement benefits. More details can be provided upon request.

Salary : $200,000