Director of College Counseling

The mission of Harpeth Hall is to educate young women to think critically, to lead confidently, and to live honorably. To fully realize that mission, Harpeth Hall is committed to creating an environment in which every member of its community is seen, heard, and valued. An emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential to this endeavor, and successful candidates must bring an authentic commitment to cultural competence.

Harpeth Hall School seeks a dynamic, experienced, collaborative, and student-centered leader to serve as the Director of College Counseling. The Director oversees two Associate Directors, serves on the Leadership Team, and articulates and facilitates the vision for the college counseling program. The Director understands the value of forming meaningful relationships with students and families in order to help each girl find the best match in the college search process. The Director should advance the school’s mission and values and be a strong representative of Harpeth Hall within the college counseling and college admission field on a national level.

The ideal candidate will be well versed in national trends and the changing landscape of college admissions at a wide range of colleges and universities. The next Director will be an excellent speaker and writer, a strategic thinker, a creative problem solver, and a team player. A bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) and minimum of five to ten years of prior college counseling experience or selective college admission experience are required. The Director will be able to maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality and has solid experience managing and leading a team.

The next Director of College Counseling will enter a well-established and well-respected college counseling program at Harpeth Hall. The department guides and supports students while educating families about the college search process. In building on this strong foundation, the next Director should continue to put girls first in the process and inspire confidence in an ever-changing college admission landscape by being an expert in the field.

Qualifications and Responsibilities:

 Develop appropriate and supportive relationships with students and families to help guide them through each step of the college search process.

• Create robust educational experiences about the college search process for students, faculty, and families through meetings, classes, workshops, and written communication.
• Share the optimism and hope around the college search and application process as well as the realities.
• Initiate, oversee, and organize all aspects of the college search process at Harpeth Hall with an eye for detail and a quick turnaround for all deadlines to be met.
• Model a commitment to continued professional development and growth.
• Engage students, parents, and colleagues through excellent communication skills, including public speaking, clear and polished writing, and close listening.
• Represent Harpeth Hall at professional conferences and counselor visits and maintain a strong network with college and university deans and admission officers.
• Remain accessible and responsive to the needs of all students.
• Develop a deep understanding of Harpeth Hall’s curriculum, positive all-girls culture, as well as the strengths our students bring to the college admission process.
• Collaborate with associate directors to build a team-like atmosphere within the college counseling office.
• Strategize with the Leadership Team in making the best decisions for the future direction of the school.
• Serve on the Academic Council with department chairs and division directors to continue study and review of middle and upper school curriculum.
• Manage and oversee the College Counseling Fund.
• Oversee standardized testing in the Upper School, including all Advanced Placement, PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests.
• Engage in the full school experience and be a visible presence for students and families.

We ask all interested and qualified applicants to submit the following:

• An online employment application
• A cover letter and current CV or resume
• An educational philosophy
• Two redacted letters of recommendation for current or former students and a sample communication to parents
• A list of professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address (References will not be contacted until candidate is notified.)