Director of Weissman Center for Leadership

Mount Holyoke College

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Mount Holyoke seeks an experienced, thoughtful, and engaged leader to serve as the next Director of the Weissman Center for Leadership—someone who brings intellectual depth, academic credibility, and vision, along with the ability to lead with clarity and purpose in a highly relational academic environment. The successful candidate will be deeply committed to expanding pathways for students into leadership and public service and to positioning the Weissman Center as a nationally visible hub for leadership, civic engagement, and public impact. This individual will bring experience leading complex, mission-driven organizations or initiatives—within higher education or in adjacent fields such as public service, government, nonprofits, or policy-oriented institutions—and will be comfortable operating at the intersection of academic life, student development, and external engagement. They will understand the distinctive culture of a liberal arts college and value shared governance, collaboration, and the educational dimension of all aspects of the work. The Director will be both a strategic thinker and a hands-on leader: someone who can articulate a compelling long-term vision while also engaging meaningfully with students, fostering their development as future leaders and leading by example. The Director will similarly mentor staff and faculty leaders, while also stewarding resources and advancing day-to-day priorities. They will have the confidence and presence to serve as a public-facing ambassador for the Center and the College, building partnerships and visibility at the regional and national levels, while remaining grounded in the lived experience of the Mount Holyoke community. Above all, the successful candidate will be a trusted and inspiring leader—one who models what leadership should be by listening carefully, building consensus, and bringing people together across differences to advance a shared sense of purpose. They will be motivated by Mount Holyoke’s mission as a gender-diverse women’s college and energized by the opportunity to help shape the next generation of leaders in public life.

Requirements

Demonstrated leadership experience in higher education, public service, government, nonprofit, or mission-aligned organizations, with responsibility for complex programs, people, and resources.
Possess academic credentials consistent with those of the faculty, including a terminal degree in their field of expertise.
A genuine interest in and aptitude for working with students, bringing a mentorship-oriented, inclusive approach that fosters belonging and leadership development.
A commitment to advancing young adults on their paths toward becoming future leaders—whether that means coming equipped with that experience or possessing a readiness to grow into the role.
A strong understanding of leadership development, experiential learning, and pathways into public service, civic engagement, or social impact.
Established credibility and relationships in public life, policy, government, advocacy, or adjacent fields, with the ability to translate those networks into meaningful opportunities for students and the institution.
Proven ability to elevate an organization’s visibility, build external partnerships, and represent an institution credibly with national audiences, funders, and stakeholders.
A collaborative leadership style, with a track record of building trust, aligning diverse constituencies, and fostering strong, values-driven teams.
Comfort operating in environments that require both strategic vision and operational follow through, including budgeting, staffing, and organizational planning.
Ability and interest in engaging directly in the academic life of the institution, including teaching, guest lecturing, or other forms of intellectual contribution.
Intellectual curiosity and openness to learning, with respect for faculty expertise, academic culture, and shared governance.
The judgment, emotional intelligence, and resilience to navigate complexity, competing priorities, and moments of institutional change with steadiness and integrity.

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Weissman Center for Leadership, advancing a bold and cohesive vision that aligns with Mount Holyoke’s mission and strategic priorities.
Elevate the Center’s national profile through robust and innovative programming, public service, civic engagement, collaborations, convenings, speakers, and external relationships.
Leverage personal and professional networks in areas such as government, public policy, advocacy, and nonprofits to expand student opportunities, strengthen programming, and enhance the Center’s national standing.
Strengthen, expand, and integrate high impact opportunities for students in public service, leadership development, experiential learning, internships, and career exploration in partnership with the Career Development Center.
Oversee and coordinate the Center’s portfolio of programs, ensuring excellence, alignment, and collaboration across initiatives.
Supervise, mentor, and support a multidisciplinary team of professional and student staff and faculty directors, fostering a strong, collaborative culture and sustaining a highly student centered approach.
Build and sustain strong partnerships across the College—including with the other campus centers and programs working toward common purpose—and with external partners to expand student pathways, institutional prominence, and regional and national impact.
Lead strategic planning, assessment, and continuous improvement efforts to ensure programs remain responsive, impactful, and forward looking.
Manage a complex budget and operational structure, including oversight of one of the College’s largest student employment operations.
Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, alum networks, and other partners in close collaboration with College Relations and Development, helping articulate and advance a compelling case for sustained investment.
Work closely with the Provost, President, faculty, and campus leaders to ensure the Center contributes meaningfully to Mount Holyoke’s academic mission and public voice.