DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING

Davis Chicago•Chicago, IL

3d•$81,543 - $145,099•Onsite

About The Position

Davis School Chicago is seeking a visionary educational leader to design and launch a world-class college counseling program from the ground up at a new Jewish college-preparatory high school opening in fall 2027. The Director of College Counseling will be responsible for building a comprehensive four-year counseling program that prepares students for success in higher education and beyond. This role requires a warm, relational, high-performing individual who can serve as a trusted advisor, advocate, educator, and ambassador, while also contributing to the school's culture and mission. The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial builder with a curious and courageous mindset, rooted in tradition yet forward-looking, and committed to Jewish life and community.

Requirements

Master’s degree required; Counseling, Higher Education Administration, or Educational Leadership preferred.
3+ years in college counseling, admissions, or educational leadership.
Independent, college-preparatory, or faith-based school settings preferred.
Illinois Professional Educator License with a School Counselor endorsement preferred.
Knowledge of and commitment to NACAC’s Guide to Ethical Practice.
ASCA-informed program design.
NACAC membership expected, with active ACCIS engagement.
Evidence of building trusted relationships with students, families, and college admission offices.
Warm, Relational, and High-Performing – Kind, emotionally intelligent, intellectually rigorous, and committed to excellence.
A Trusted Advisor – Calm, credible, and honest with students and parents in high-stakes moments.
A College-Network Connector – Known to admissions offices, or ready to become known fast.
An Entrepreneurial Builder – Thrives in ambiguity, solves problems, and creates programs, systems, and traditions from the ground up.
A Curious and Courageous Thinker – Embraces learning, evidence, critical thinking, and meaningful debate.
Rooted and Forward-Looking – Honors tradition while embracing innovation, technology, and AI.
Committed to Jewish Life and Community – Values Jewish identity, the diversity of Jewish thought, and meaningful engagement in Jewish life.
A Collaborative Culture-Builder – Balances accountability, care, and results while elevating everyone around them.

Nice To Haves

College-preparatory, independent, Jewish day or faith-based school experience is a plus.
Fewer years but exceptional craft? We hire for mastery, not seat time.

Responsibilities

Design and deliver a four-year developmental counseling curriculum, grade by grade, consistent with the ASCA National Model.
Advise every student and family individually, including regular one-on-one meetings, milestone checkpoints, and personalized college list building.
Lead grade-level seminars and family programming on admissions, financial aid, and standardized testing.
Own the college-knowledge strand of the schoolwide Advisory program.
Coordinate standardized testing strategy and preparation pathways with academic departments.
Write the Davis Chicago college handbook.
Build the counseling program’s systems, communications, and traditions from the ground up.
Own the application season end to end, including school reports, counselor recommendation letters, transcript coordination, and application quality control.
Guide students and families through Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision strategy.
Champion ethical advising, accurate and transparent communication, informed decision-making, and student advocacy.
Build a faculty culture of substantive, on-time recommendation letters and coach colleagues who write them.
Ensure counseling services promote both student well-being and long-term success.
Build and maintain relationships with admissions offices at colleges and universities nationwide.
Host college representative visits and put Davis Chicago on regional admissions rep travel schedules.
Create signature college events such as college nights, fair trips, rep visit days, campus visit programs, and financial aid workshops.
Author and maintain the Davis Chicago school profile.
Support students in identifying institutions that align with their aspirations and strengths.
Build the Jewish and Israel pathway, including working fluency in Israeli universities and U.S.–Israel joint programs.
Represent Davis Chicago in the college admissions community (NACAC, IACAC, ACCIS).
Establish systems for tracking applications, admission decisions, scholarships, and matriculation.
Set and track published completion standards for every senior.
Analyze admissions trends and use data to sharpen curriculum, advising, and college strategy.
Select and run the counseling platforms for students, families, and colleges.
Report outcomes honestly to school leadership and position Davis School Chicago as a leading college-preparatory school.
Contribute actively to the vibrant culture and mission of Davis Chicago.
Partner with families as a trusted, honest voice through the college application process.
Collaborate with faculty, advisors, and school leadership to integrate college readiness into the entire program.
Participate in student activities, faculty meetings, professional development, and community events.