The Governor’s Academy, the oldest boarding school in New England, inspires and engages inquisitive students in ninth through twelfth grade. Our 456-acre campus is located thirty miles north of Boston and five miles south of Newburyport, a classic New England coastal town. Govs has approximately 400 students and 200 employees. 

Govs faculty and staff are committed to creating and cultivating an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that allows students to learn from each other’s unique backgrounds and experiences, discover their passions, find and use their distinctive voices, and achieve academic and co-curricular excellence. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Adults in our community are professionals who appreciate individuality, collaboration, and service to others— all so that we can go far together. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of College Counseling leads a student-centered, collaborative, and equity-driven college counseling program. The College Counseling Office is known for its warm, progressive environment and deep commitment to guiding each student through a highly personalized college search and application process. This leadership position is ideal for an individual who is passionate about mentoring students, empowering families, and fostering a culture of access and opportunity within a rigorous academic community.

This full-time administrative faculty position will have ongoing contact with and direct responsibility for the academic and social life of students on campus (in loco parentis) and will involve specific responsibilities that include coaching or other afternoon program involvement, possible residential life duty, and student advising.  The successful candidate will have enthusiasm and appreciation for working with adolescents, and will be a collaborative member of the faculty. There is an expectation of total involvement in the lives of students on campus, contributing to the life of the campus through various means inside and outside the classroom. This is a 12-month administrative faculty position, including additional responsibilities unique to a boarding school community. Housing may or may not be available. 

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for a comprehensive college counseling program that supports all students in discovering and pursuing appropriate post-secondary pathways.
• Manage and support a team of college counselors and administrative staff, fostering professional growth, collaboration, and innovation within the department.
• Maintain and strengthen a student-centered counseling model that emphasizes individual discovery, fit, and personal growth in the college process.
• Cultivate strong relationships with colleges and universities across the country and around the world, serving as an advocate for Governor’s students.
• Develop and deliver a progressive, equitable college counseling curriculum that reflects the Academy’s values of inclusion, access, and excellence.
• Provide individualized college counseling to a caseload of students and their families, guiding them through all aspects of the college search, application, and financial aid processes.
• Partner with faculty, advisors, coaches, and administrators to support students’ academic and personal development throughout the high school years.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of school materials for college applications, including school profiles, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and related documents.
• Stay informed of national and international trends in college admissions and higher education and serve as a thought leader in the school community.
• Represent the Academy in national and regional professional organizations and attend conferences and college visits regularly.
• Must show a demonstrated interest and experience in creating professional spaces that reflect a commitment to a sense of belonging for all students and adults. 

Afternoon Program:

• Participate in one season 

Residential Life Program: 

• Dorm parenting or equivalent, depending on housing status.
• Advising: Advisor to no more than 7 students beginning in the second year at Governor’s.
• Weekend chaperone duties.
• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in college counseling and/or college admissions, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Deep understanding of college admissions processes, including familiarity with a broad range of colleges and universities and their varying selectivity.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable college counseling process that supports a diverse student body.
• Experience in and enthusiasm for working in a residential boarding school environment is preferred.
• Experience in coaching and/or playing interscholastic athletics, directing, and/or experience on stage in the performing arts preferred. 
• Successful completion of a CORI/SORI and fingerprinting check
• Must have a valid driver’s license. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

This position reports to the Assistant Head of School

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS 

This position manages two associate directors of college counseling.  

About The Governor's Academy

The Governor’s Academy, the oldest boarding school in New England, inspires and engages inquisitive students in ninth through twelfth grade. Our 456-acre campus is located thirty miles north of Boston and five miles south of Newburyport, a classic New England coastal town. Govs has approximately 400 students and 250 employees. Govs faculty and staff are committed to creating and cultivating a diverse and inclusive community that allows students to discover their passions, use their unique voices, and achieve academic and co-curricular excellence. Adults in our community are professionals who appreciate individuality, collaboration, and service to others— all so that we can go far together.

Connections working at The Governor's Academy