Director of College Counseling - Webb School of Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville’s Director of College Counseling is a full-time, exempt position, reporting to the President and serving on the school’s senior leadership team. The ideal candidate is a team-oriented, effective leader and manager with a demonstrated interest in and capacity for working with high school students, their families, faculty, administrators, and college representatives. The Director of College Counseling should also be aware of trends in and have relationships to the higher education sector, serving as a strategic thinker and effective implementer of associated initiatives to advance a vision for college counseling at Webb School, Webb School’s True to Webb strategic priorities, and, ultimately, the mission of Webb School of Knoxville.

The Webb School of Knoxville’s college counseling office is one of the distinguishing aspects of the school and a comparative advantage in Knoxville. Likewise, it is a critical component of the school’s identity as a college preparatory school, where we strive to work closely with students, families, faculty, and staff to ensure students identify and are competitive for admission to their best-fit college or university.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
● Lead and effectively manage the college counseling department and all programs associated with the college preparation and college admissions process.
● Counsel a cohort of students in each grade level and their families through course registration, college preparation, and the admissions process.
● Work in collaboration with the college counseling team in the continued development of a comprehensive and differentiated college counseling program (“Pathways”) that meets the needs of the Webb community.
● Oversee the publication of the Academic Profile of the school.
● Work effectively with the Admissions Office to accurately and regularly market the school and share college-related news.
● Write compelling and personalized letters of recommendation.
● Communicating regularly and effectively with parents regarding the college preparation and admissions process.
● Remain abreast of current trends in college admissions by attending national and regional conferences and visit colleges to promote and market the Webb curriculum, as well as forge relationships with college admissions officers.
● Participate in local and national associations relevant to the profession, including NACAC, SACAC, ACCIS, and the College Board.
● Engage actively in the Webb School community in an appropriate and visible way.
● Participate as a faculty advisor to upper school students.
● Serve on the senior administrative team to offer strategic perspective and leadership.
● Gather and synthesize data for board reports and committee presentations.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL:
● Demonstrate relevant and current knowledge of and network in the college admissions landscape.
● Possess strong analytical writing skills and the ability to craft letters of recommendation filled with relevant student information.
● Exhibit strong public speaking skills and the desire to lead and participate in events for students, parents, and colleagues.
● Demonstrate a strong work ethic, excellent organizational skills, and attention to detail in order to meet deadlines.
● Have the ability to develop strong relationships with students and to assist them in relating their abilities, aptitudes, and interests to current and future goals and college plans.
● Have the ability to work collaboratively with administration, faculty, and other members of the Webb community.
● Prioritize the building and maintaining of trusting relationships with parents and families.

QUALIFICATIONS:
● A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; a master’s degree preferred.
● Extensive experience in college counseling and/or college admissions.
● Knowledge of a wide range of universities, including highly selective, state systems, and liberal arts programs.
● Knowledge of independent schools and selective college admissions.
● Superior interpersonal and communication skills with students, parents, and faculty/administration.
● Flexibility, independent initiative, and effectiveness in an energetic environment.
● A sense of humor and the ability to work as part of a collaborative senior administrative team that values each member’s voice.
● A student-centered focus throughout the college admissions process.
● A familiarity with or willingness to learn relevant college counseling digital resources and platforms.
● A familiarity with or willingness to learn about specialized or early college admissions processes, such as athletic recruitment and military service academies.
● Creativity and openness to innovation coupled with the capacity to understand the existing culture and rich history of Webb School.

This is a 12-month academic administrative appointment that ideally begins June 1,2025.

Webb School is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through a compensation plan that compares favorably with those of peer schools. A full benefits package includes retirement, vacation/sick leave, and insurance coverage.

THE SEARCH PROCESS & APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should submit the following:
● A cover letter indicating the candidate’s particular interest in and qualifications for the position.
● A current resume.
● The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references. (We will obtain permission from the candidate before contacting references.)

Materials should be submitted to:
Missi Cunningham, Executive Assistant to the President, at Missi.Cunningham@webbschool.org.

Note: Applications will be accepted until April 30. After an initial review of applicants, the School will conduct interviews with selected candidates. Finalists will be invited to Webb for a more comprehensive series of interviews.