Associate Director of College Counseling

Kent Denver School seeks an experienced Associate Director of College Counseling for the 2025-2026 school year. The expectation is that the Associate Director of College Counseling will be an engaged member of the community and endeavor to understand, participate in, and translate to outside groups the vibrant life of the school. The Associate Director of College Counseling will work on a team of other College Counselors and in collaboration with other members of the KDS community including students, parents, school faculty, deans, administration, staff, and coaches.

In providing organized and energetic support to students, the college counselor will plan and implement college-related programming for the Upper School, with a focus on guiding a portion of the sophomore, junior and senior classes in their college searches, monitoring the progress and completion of each advisee's applications, helping to develop additional ninth and tenth-grade programming, and participating in all activities (including travel to colleges and conferences) required to sustain and advance a productive and dynamic college counseling program.

In addition to counseling responsibilities, the Associate Director of College Counseling will work collaboratively to design and build a new multi-year college counseling program.

Essential College Counseling job responsibilities include:

• Working thoughtfully with students and families-informing, guiding, supporting, and counseling them through an appropriate college search and application process

• Applying broad knowledge of the college admission process at a variety of institution types with a strong understanding of different academic programs, admission policies, and financial aid

• Writing detailed, personal, and comprehensive letters of support for each counselee

• Advocating on behalf of students with colleges, scholarship foundations, and others

• Maintaining a deep knowledge of market trends in higher education and an understanding of the current college admission landscape

• Employing innovative practices in college counseling with the desire to establish a creative, forward-thinking vision for the college counseling experience

• Presenting to the community about various college admission topics throughout the year

• Nurturing and developing strong professional relationships with college admission representatives by visiting campuses, hosting representatives on campus, and attending conferences

• Serving as a resource for students, parents, and teaching faculty regarding admission criteria and college data

• Helping to design and teach college counseling seminars

• Supporting students in grades 9-12 to ensure they are maximizing the opportunities and resources available to them at Kent Denver, including but not limited to advising on course selection, extracurricular involvement, etc.

• Demonstrating initiative and the ability to support the entire college counseling program in addition to managing individually assigned caseload

• Assisting in the design of an innovative multi-year program that supports student growth and engagement in their KDS experience, promotes student wellness, balance, and agency in the college search, and encourages personal reflection and emphasis on college fit

Successful candidates will possess the following:

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree is required; a Master's degree is preferred

• Full-time experience in a high school providing college counseling or full-time college admission experience.

• Involvement in professional organizations (both regional and national) and meetings is expected

• Strong interpersonal, writing, public speaking, and organizational skills.

• A warm personality, positive energy, and a sincere desire to work closely with students

• The ability to work deftly with diverse populations and personalities

• An ability to see and celebrate the potential in every student

• Ability to function well in a dynamic, fast-paced, school environment while maintaining a sense of humor

• Strong computer and technological competence, including deep familiarity with database systems like MaiaLearning, SCOIR or Naviance, and various social media tools, as well as Common Application, the NCAA Eligibility Center, and FAFSA/CSS Profile, etc.

• An ability to manage one's own stress and practice self-care

• Desire to work toward greater student and family wellness in the college search and application process.

Salary range:

$70,000-$95,000 (based on experience)

This is a full-time 12-month, benefitted position.

Start Date:

August 1, 2025.

About Kent Denver:

Kent Denver School is a college preparatory day school of 700+ students in grades 6-12 located on 220 acres in suburban Denver. Kent Denver has been recognized for our leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to fostering a culturally diverse faculty and student body and we are eager to consider applications from candidates who believe in the critical importance of diversity in the life of a school.

Kent Denver School Employment Policy:

Kent Denver School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, religion, transgender status (including gender identity or gender expression), sex (including pregnancy), gender, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, marriage to a coworker, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, veteran status (including Vietnam era veteran status), genetic information, military service, application for military service or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Our school makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. An applicant who does not meet the minimum qualifications of the position(s) for which the applicant applies will not be considered for employment.