Associate Director of College Counseling

Job DetailsJob Location: Bethesda, MD 20817Position Type: Full-TimeSalary Range: $105,000.00 - $125,000.00 SalaryJob Category: Upper SchoolFounded in 1901, Holton-Arms School is a nationally recognized independent school for girls in grades 3–12 that encourages young women to approach the world with curiosity, courage, and a sense of responsibility to use their talents for the greater good. Rooted in a long legacy of excellence and guided by future-forward thinking, Holton offers a vibrant, purpose-driven learning environment where students, faculty, and staff bring deep engagement, spirit, and passion to their work.

The mission of the Holton-Arms School is to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit. Students are scholars, artists, and athletes who find their voices, take risks, learn from challenges, and build lifelong friendships—embodying the school’s motto, Inveniam viam aut faciam (“I will find a way or make one”). We seek applicants from diverse backgrounds, talents, and interests who share our passion for helping girls learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we are committed to cultivating the leaders of tomorrow who will make a positive impact on their communities and the world.

Position Overview

Holton-Arms School invites applications for the position of Associate Director of College Counseling. This is a 12-month, full-time, and campus-based position reporting to the Head of Upper School and Director of College Counseling. The Associate Director of College Counseling guides students and their families through all facets of the college application and selection process. Our college counseling department takes a student-centered, developmentally appropriate approach to the college search and application process. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal communication skills, flexibility, and the ability to work as part of a team. Typically, 100% of our graduates enroll in a four-year institution.

Key Responsibilities

Advising a caseload of approximately 35-40 students and families through the college process’s research, application, and matriculation phases.
Creating a warm, responsive relationship with all members of the Holton community, particularly Upper School students and their families.
Acknowledging, celebrating, and incorporating a student's unique identifiers throughout the college process.
Writing compelling and authentic letters of recommendation for students.
Helping greet and host college representatives when they are visiting campus.
Staying current on trends in college admissions and participating in professional development opportunities, including college visits.
Planning and implementing College Counseling programs (e.g., Case Studies, Junior College Night, College Fairs, etc.) for students and/or parents. 
Attending professional development activities such as conferences, workshops, college visits, and programs hosted by colleges. Engage in professional organizations such as NACAC, PCACAC, and ACCIS. 
Supporting the Director of College Counseling on program design, webpage and database management, communications, college counseling workbook updates, and school/community events.
Collaborating effectively and communicating clearly with administrators, teachers, parents, and students.
Serving as an Upper School advisor.
Various administrative duties for the College Counseling department.

Qualifications & Skills 

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university.
Experience in college counseling and/or selective college admission. 
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Experience with databases with a willingness to learn new technologies/software.
Knowledge of Scoir, College Kickstart, and Veracross appreciated or ability to learn new programs quickly.
Strong organizational ability and ability to meet deadlines.

Core Competencies

Ability to perform complex, detail-oriented work carefully and accurately with a thorough understanding and adherence to confidentiality and professionalism as an employee with access to highly sensitive information.
Customer Service: assisting students, faculty, and staff professionally and respectfully.
Communication Skills: strong positive verbal and written communication skills.
Proactive Attitude: willingness to identify and address areas of need without explicit instruction.
Time Management: able to prioritize tasks, manage workload efficiently, and provide prompt response.
Problem-Solving: basic conflict resolution skills and resourceful in finding solutions to challenges as they arise.
Personal Traits: warmth, empathy, flexibility, and a sense of humor appropriate to the setting
Team Player: capable of collaborating effectively with diverse teams and individuals.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Holton-Arms cherishes the uniqueness of each of our members including current and fo