Director of College & Academic Guidance

The Director of College and Academic Guidance, a senior level administrative position, will oversee and manage all aspects of the college counseling department at HAFTR High School, develop programming for students, parents, and faculty, and lead the department with a vision for individual student success and collective school achievement. Informed by Jewish values and mindful of the unique qualities and talents of each student, the aim of every college search is to guide students in choosing colleges that will best serve their intellectual, personal, and religious interests and goals.

Primary Responsibilities & Areas of Focus

Serve as a visionary leader for the department of college and academic guidance with a goal of spearheading innovative and meaningful growth and success for students and the school.

Mentor and supervise a team of guidance counselors, including an associate director of college guidance and two full-time counselors, by maintaining a cohesive and professional culture within the department.

Cultivate collegial relationships with college admissions directors and representatives.

Manage and guide the school's efforts in counseling students and their families through the entire college selection, application, and admissions process.

Participate as a key member of the high school leadership team, collaborating with administrators and supporting faculty to promote HAFTR’s mission.

Represent the department and HAFTR within the school community and to the general public in a highly competent, professional and thoughtful manner.

College Counseling & Guidance

Manage professional college guidance team to ensure that college admissions goals are met by :

Assisting students and parents in developing an appropriate list of prospective colleges, including a diverse range of college options that meet the needs of  individual students.

Guiding students throughout the college application process, reviewing all components of the application, essay composition, and submission to ensure accurate, optimal representation of the student.

Composing letters of recommendation for each senior.

Develop meaningful and practical educational sessions for underclassmen to prepare them for the admissions process.

Promote the mission of HAFTR by establishing a knowledge base for families of extensive Jewish campus life resources.

Guide students towards participating in meaningful activities and co-curricular programs.

Academic Advisement & Collaboration

Participate in the academic advisement process with department heads and teachers.

Provide broad support for high school department chairs, students, and families on questions related to four-year planning and annual course placement.

Collaborate with administrators to introduce new initiatives and course offerings that match contemporary trends in education.

Supervision & Professional Development

Mentor, supervise and support guidance counselors.

Facilitate frequent meetings within the department to enhance the professional community, encourage strong collaboration and promote excellent communication.

Administrative Leadership & Communication

Model exemplary interpersonal and communication skills with students, families, faculty, and external stakeholders.

Exhibit strong communication and public speaking skills, including the ability to deliver large group presentations, facilitate small group discussions, and lead individual and family meetings.

Oversee systems including the academic database (e.g., Naviance), standardized test coordination, graduation requirement tracking, and all documents submitted to college admissions offices.

Collaborate on school-wide initiatives and major events including graduation, parent education, professional development, and college and career guidance programs.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Education, School Counseling, or related field.

Minimum five (5) years of leadership or supervisory experience in college counseling, academic advising, or related educational administration.

Strong knowledge of the college admissions landscape, including college options and campus life.

Exceptional communication, confident presentation, strong organizational skills, and experience with college-admissions systems.

Ability to lead teams, initiate programs, build relationships, and align with a values-based school environment.

Position Details & Application Process

The Director of College & Academic Guidance is a senior level administrative position that is full time. This is an 11-month position beginning August 2026. The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $160,000 (commensurate with experience). HAFTR offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, and professional development opportunities. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to hsresumes@haftr.org .

Equal Opportunity Employer

HAFTR’s policy is to afford equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals and does not discriminate in its hiring practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.