Associate Director of College & Academic Counseling

Miami Country Day School•Miami, FL

14h

About The Position

Founded in 1938, Miami Country Day School is PK3-12 college preparatory learning community committed to educating the whole child. Through the core values of honor, respect, wisdom compassion, and purpose, we prepare students to be lifelong learners and global citizens. Students are at the center of everything we say and so. We value every student, every day, everywhere. For more information about MCDS, visit Miami Country Day School . Miami Country Day School is seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Associate Director of College & Academic Counseling for the 2026-27 academic year. The newly expanded college and academic counseling team consists of the director, five full-time associate directors, and one coordinator. Through active collaboration with the Upper School Associate Director, faculty, and colleagues across the school, the team offers a student-centered program that supports every student throughout their Upper School experience. Supporting the School’s commitment to the development of the whole child, the college and academic counselors ultimately empower students as they navigate an increasingly complex college admission process and help prepare them to matriculate to the college of best fit with confidence and competence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; a master’s degree is preferred.
Three to five years’ experience in college counseling at an independent school or admissions at a selective college or university. Both are preferred.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time management, and communication skills, both written and oral.
Deep personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and an understanding of global citizenship's importance.
Strong ability to listen, reflect, connect, and see potential in every student.
Demonstrated interest in working with teenagers and facilitating the development of the whole child.
A warm personality, sense of humor, positive energy, and enthusiastic work ethic.
Proven experience working collaboratively, thinking strategically and creatively, and implementing initiatives as it relates to the admission process, to the college and academic advising team, and to the MCDS community.
Thorough understanding of the application process at public, private and international colleges and universities and current trends in admission and financial aid.
Strong computer, technological, and social media competence, including a working knowledge of Microsoft, Google,
A love of learning and willingness to balance past experience with the demands of a new environment.
Ability to inspire and motivate others.
Commitment and flexibility necessary to thrive in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and constituencies.
Ability to multi-task, prioritize work, manage stress and practice self-care
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Willingness to work long hours for extended periods of time.
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and work in varied and changing weather conditions, including extreme heat and humidity.

Nice To Haves

Experience with SCOIR, College Kickstart, Canva, and Blackbaud preferred.

Responsibilities

Offer personalized guidance to a cohort of approximately 24 students in each grade, encouraging them to establish and maintain a strong academic and co-curricular foundation for the future.
Ensure that every student is known, nurtured, and feels a sense of belonging.
Meet established deadlines, maintain accurate and up-to-date records, and handle confidential materials and information with discretion.
Advise rising 10th-12th grade students on course selection and progression.
Foster a collaborative student-parent-school partnership by facilitating communication between faculty and individual families in student academic planning and performance and the college admission and application process.
Educate students and parents on the breadth of postsecondary institutions and their respective selectivity levels to guide them appropriately as they seek to maximize the students’ Upper School experience.
Plan and present about the importance of being able to demonstrate academic progress, intellectual curiosity, community engagement, and personal growth in their college applications.
Assist students in developing their resumes by documenting their honors, awards, extracurricular activities, and outside experiences in SCOIR for use in the college application process.
Write recommendation letters for seniors applying to college and for 10th and 11th grade students applying for summer and enrichment programs.
Facilitate college presentations at MCDS, engage in webinars and college tours, and actively participate in professional development conferences hosted by college admission counseling associations such as ACCIS, NACAC, and SACAC.
Provide guidance to students and families in the development of well-balanced college lists and action plans, support and monitor each student’s college applications, and write effective and authentic letters of recommendation for assigned students.
Assist with the development and delivery of college-related programming to educate all MCDS constituents on the landscape of both national and international college admissions.
Engage in all necessary activities, including attending college visits and professional conferences, to uphold and enhance a proactive and dynamic college counseling program.
Collaborate closely with faculty and staff to effectively present Miami Country Day School to college admissions representatives, articulating the exceptional standards and unique attributes of MCDS, its curriculum, programs, as well as its student and family community.