Director of College Counseling

Uncommon Schools • Boston, MA

4h • $69,500 - $101,500

About The Position

The Director of College Counseling leads the Office of College Access & Success, managing a team of college counselors and an office coordinator to ensure all high school students successfully navigate the college search, application, and financial aid processes. This role is responsible for designing systems and workflows that support consistent, high-quality college advising; coaching and developing counselors; building partnerships with colleges; engaging families throughout the process; and tracking student outcomes to drive continuous improvement. The Director works closely with school leadership, families, and external partners to remove barriers to college access and affordability, with a focus on equitable outcomes for all students.

Requirements

• Minimum 3-5 years of direct experience in college access/admissions
• Proven track record of student success and outcomes
• Evidence of leadership ability and team management
• Bachelor's degree (advanced degree preferred)
• Comfort working with both high school-age students and their parents
• Ability to plan strategically to meet short-term and long-term goals
• Extensive knowledge of US colleges/universities and the college admissions process.
• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• High proficiency with web/computer tools, paired with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to use data effectively when making decisions to drive student outcomes.
• A collaborative, driven approach with the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

• Admissions experience at a selective college/university

Responsibilities

• Hire, develop, and manage a team of 2-5 college counselors and an office coordinator
• Hold team members accountable for quality work and timely delivery
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and professional development opportunities
• Delegate work based on counselor strengths and capacity
• Foster a collaborative culture where the team takes ownership of student outcomes
• Build and maintain partnerships with colleges that align with our students' goals
• Meet with college representatives, visit campuses, and attend regional/national conferences
• Develop relationships with admissions offices to advocate for our students
• Coordinate with Uncommon's alumni support team to track and support graduates
• Identify scholarship and summer program opportunities for eligible students
• Teach and support College Seminar classes for juniors and seniors
• Oversee the adoption and implementation of Uncommon's aligned College Seminar Curriculum college counseling curriculum and shared resources
• Organize and run student, parent, and faculty workshops on campus
• Guide the teacher recommendation letter process with school faculty
• Counsel students and families through the college search, application, and financial aid processes
• Maintain strong, trusting relationships with families through proactive communication
• Hold high expectations for all students and advocate for them with colleges through letters of recommendation and targeted outreach.
• Plan and facilitate parent workshops, information sessions, and office hours
• Ensure families understand affordability, requirements, and next steps in the enrollment process
• Maintain accurate data on student applications, acceptances, enrollments, and financial aid
• Use data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
• Monitor student progress toward graduation and college readiness
• Ensure compliance with admissions and financial aid deadlines and requirements
• Oversee the planning and execution of OCAS events including, college tours, college fairs, rep visits, Career Day and Senior Signing Day
• Manage the college counseling office budget
• Allocate resources to support team needs and student programming
• Track and manage scholarship and grant opportunities

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
• Pension through Mass. Teachers Retirement System
• 403(b) retirement savings program
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
• A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director