Associate Director of College Counseling, July 2021 Start

Greenwich Country Day School (GCDS) is an independent, co-educational day school with a current enrollment of 1300 students in grades N-12, and a faculty and staff of 340. The original Old Church Road campus is home to grades N-8. Phase II construction of the new Upper School campus (9-12,) located less than two miles away on Stanwich Road, is well underway and scheduled for August 2021 completion. Founded in 1926, Greenwich Country Day School is a family school where innovative teaching is encouraged as teachers model and foster a love of learning, challenge and inspire children toward academic excellence, and cultivate students’ interests and talents outside of the classroom. We value purposeful and personal learning in a joyful environment, with emphasis on the development of character, creativity, and a sense of personal value along with strong academic skill. GCDS is committed to graduating ethical, confident leaders who possess a strong sense of purpose.

Due to the expansion of the high school program, Greenwich Country Day School seeks an Associate Director of College Counseling to start July 1, 2021. The successful candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in selective college admissions or college counseling in independent schools. With a student/counselor ratio of 30:1 the Associate Director will work closely with the Director of College Counseling, College Office Assistant, and the Upper School administration to guide 11th and 12th grade students through all aspects of the college exploration and application process. Such guidance includes, but is not limited to counseling students and parents about college options, planning standardized testing strategies, developing student recommendations, assisting with all aspects of the financial aid process, and reviewing applications and transcripts. In addition, the Associate Director will also participate in teaching GCDS’ College Seminar course and play a meaningful role in student life. 

As an ambassador of the School, the Associate Director of College Counseling will have extensive contact with college admissions officers, helping them to understand and appreciate our students as the Greenwich Country Day Upper School program enters its third year. This is a twelve-month administrative position, and reports to the Director of College Counseling. Occasional evening and weekend commitments are expected as well as some travel. Diversity is a core value at GCDS, and we seek candidates who demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree 
• 5+ years of successful experience working with students and their families in the college admissions process in either a secondary school college counseling office or in a college admissions office
•  An in-depth knowledge of colleges and universities as well as a contextual grasp of the current college admissions landscape
• Intimate knowledge of the financial aid process
• An interest in project-based educational pedagogy and a commitment to guiding students with a wide variety of academic and extra-curricular interests and abilities
•  A desire to work intensively and collaboratively with each grade of approximately 120-130 families, eagerly welcoming conversations and encouraging interaction among students, parents and the college counseling office
• Strong analytical writing skills
• An ability to engage students in a classroom setting and teach a course geared towards the college search and application process
• Active participation in local and national associations relevant to our profession, including NACAC, College Board and ACCIS, as well as interest in attending college tours and networking with colleagues in college counseling and college admissions
• Strong public speaking skills and the desire to participate in events for students, parents and colleagues
•  A team-oriented approach to all aspects of the college counseling process and collaborative spirit of engagement in all professional endeavors
• Commitment to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive school community
• Willingness to take on multiple roles within the school
• Personal traits appropriate for nurturing the growth of children - must be energetic, creative, flexible, patient, and have an inexhaustible sense of humor

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in education or related field
• Experience in and desire to build culture and community with both adults and students 
• Experience as an academic advisor
• Experience advising independent and original student research
• Athletic coaching experience
• Demonstrated experience in establishing collaborative relationships with external partners/organizations in the design and implementation of learning experiences

Interested candidates are invited to use the link provided to send a cover letter and resume to:

Susan Fahey Khanna, Director of Human Resources

https://greenwichcountrydayschool.applytojob.com/apply/rIyuXjL23l/Associate-Director-Of-College-Counseling-July-2021-Start?referrer=202011201834568GJHBXHHWSNMF6GF