Overview

The Director of College Advising leads an excellent and experienced team that works with students and families through the college selection and application process. The Director develops and implements operating systems (i.e., procedures, protocols, timetables) for the office and programming to ensure exceptional support for students and their families as they move through the college process.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leading the Team and Advancing the Office

The Director leads the college advising team by example; they ensure that expectations are clear; and they are accountable for meeting the annual and long-term goals of the office. The specific responsibilities include:

• Lead a team of college advisors to ensure the highest ethical and professional standards, bearing in mind that all members of the team represent the School and its values to families and to universities. 
• Stay abreast of current trends within college admissions and adapt the Hotchkiss college advising systems accordingly and as proactively as feasible.
• Promote and ensure equitable access to the college process, including access to information and educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds.
• Advocate for students with colleges ethically and effectively. 
• Develop the skills and abilities of the team through a regular and intentional process of reflecting on the professional goals and aspirations of each member and their skill development. 
• Assure that all members of the team maintain confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information.
• Actively develop and maintain strong relationships with university deans of admission and admissions representatives by visiting campuses and keeping in touch with higher education colleagues throughout the year to keep abreast of new programs and opportunities at colleges and universities to which Hotchkiss students apply while also articulating effectively Hotchkiss’s mission, goals, and institutional priorities. 
• Serve as the capable subject matter expert on college admissions for Hotchkiss stakeholders, including parents, trustees, and alumni. 

College Advising

• Encourage students and families to explore a range of excellent educational
• opportunities, nationally and internationally.
• Encourage students to be discerning researchers of the diverse admission requirements,
• policies, and procedures of individual colleges and universities.
• Create an open and positive atmosphere that encourages students and families
• to take full advantage of the resources available to them.
• Understand and respond appropriately to the individual needs of students in a way that promotes self-sufficiency and confidence.
• Provide appropriate support for students as they write their applications while empowering them to develop their own voice and make their own choices.
• Promote experiential learning opportunities, including a gap year, which could complement and enhance students’ formal education.
• Submit transcripts, Hotchkiss recommendations, and secondary school materials to
• each college or university reflected on a student’s Naviance list.
• Communicate with and be accessible to parents/guardians throughout the college search process.

The Director of College Advising is a member of the faculty. Hotchkiss faculty actively participate in all aspects of community life through service in Hotchkiss’s residential, advising, and co-curricular programs. Typical responsibilities of a full-time faculty member at Hotchkiss include responsibilities in their core function (college advising), coaching two seasons of a co-curricular team or the equivalent specialized assignment, regular duty in the residential program, and periodic participation in faculty committees and/or as an advisor to student clubs. 

Job Requirements: 

• Five or more years experience working in a highly selective secondary school, college, or university admissions office. 
• Expert knowledge in the area of college admissions.
• Experience with independent school liberal arts education and the ability to advocate for the value and benefits of this form of education to colleges and universities. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking.
• Strong technical capabilities, including use of Naviance/Maia Learning, Microsoft Office, and other tools necessary for successful completion of work.
• Ability to serve as a respected and trusted colleague and partner to teaching faculty and advisors who support the college process in various ways.
• High energy and endurance to work extended hours during peak periods.
• Ability to travel on behalf of the School.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a CT public service driver’s license within the first year of employment, in order to drive students in school vehicles.
• Given the persistent risks of the spread of the Covid-19 virus, all employees of the School are required to be fully vaccinated by their first day of work as a condition of employment. Employees who are unable to receive the vaccine due to disability, medical condition, or a sincerely held religious belief may request an exemption, which will be reviewed by the School to determine the availability of any reasonable accommodations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

Application Requirements and Search Process 

DRG Talent Advisory Group is conducting this search on behalf of The Hotchkiss School. To discuss this opportunity in more detail, contact our lead consultants:

Andrew Watson                                                           Jennifer Fleischer                                   

Senior Search Consultant                                             Search Consultant                      

awatson@drgsearch.com                                            jfleischer@drgsearch.com

Application deadline is 1/21/2022.  Candidates should submit, as soon as possible, materials including the following: 

• A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position. 

• A current resume. 
• A statement of leadership philosophy. 
• The names, email addresses, telephone numbers of five references, to include the relationship with the references. (We will obtain permission from candidates, at the finalist stage, before contacting references.) 
• Optional: other supporting material (articles, speeches, videos, or letters of recommendation) that would be useful to the Search Committee. 

Candidates should upload materials directly on the DRG website at DRG (drgsearch.com). 

The Hotchkiss School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination).

In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.