Academic Director

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: Starting at $26 per hour

Position Summary:

The Academic Director serves asan academiccase manager and coach for students, providing individualized supportandscaffolding tohelpneurodiversestudents succeed in a post-secondary learning environment. This includesproviding structured plans to scaffold executive functioning support,supporting them tosetholisticgoals, developself-advocacy,andbuildexecutive functioning skills. It alsoincludes coordinatingsupport across families,referring professionals,staff, and campus partners. The Academic Director plays a key role in integrating academic development into the overallholisticstudent experience at Mansfield Hall.

Supervises:case manager/coach level staff, as assigned

Essential Functions

Leadership and Management

• Supervise and develop team members (as designated), including onboarding, training, performance management, and ongoing professional development.

• Attendteam-based meetings to ensure staff alignment with each students academic support plan and Mansfield Halls mission, values, and goals.

• Provide leadership and training todirect supportstaffincognitive diversity, learning and studyapproaches,academic development, executive functioning, and self-advocacy strategies.

• Attend weekly Director and Community meetings and serve on relevant internal committees.

• Participate in the On-Call Rotation to support after-hourscontinuity of support for staff,student and facilityneedsthat canincludestudentmental health emergencies and studentconflicts.

• Limited supportinrecruitment, admission, and marketing initiatives in collaboration with the Vice President of Enrollment and Executive Director.

• Represent the academic program in public-facing events and campus tours as needed.

Student Case Management & Coaching

• Supporta caseload of studentswithexecutive functioningdisordersand learningdisabilities andwho canfind college success when offeredappropriate scaffolding, instruction, and coaching.Caseloads aredeterminedby student needs, teamcapacity, and available support structures and may vary each year, reflecting the overall complexity andsupportrequired.

• Conduct weekly 1:1 academicsessionwith students to support organization, coursework management, academic goal setting,class registration, degree planning,scaffolded supportplansand skill instruction.

• Facilitate individualized student planning, goalsettingand assessment throughavariety ofannual andsemester-basedtoolsand processes.

• Support students in developingsocial,emotional,andprofessionalcommunicationstrategies, self-advocacy, and decision-making skills that support long-term independence.

Academic Systems, Tools, and Support Navigation

• Track andanticipateacademic barriers including grades, assignments, attendance, and registration needs.

• Coordinate and collaborate with local college campuses, service providers, and internal staff to ensure student success in navigating post-secondary academics.

• Advise students on course loads, registration planning, accommodation access, and graduation goals.

• Promoteutilizationof campus resources such as academic success centers and accessibility offices.

• Maintainaccuratedocumentation and student planning tools.

Family & Stakeholder Communication

• Maintainbi-weekly communication with families and stakeholders to share progress,identifyconcerns, and collaborate on interventions,and moretimelyproactive communication as needed.

• Provide detailed updatesregardingacademic strengths, challenges, and supportstrategies being implementedto mitigate future academic challenges including potential failinggradesEtc.

• Foster early detection and transparent communication to reduce surprises and strengthen the family partnership model.

Culture and Expectations:
In performing their duties, employees are expected to embody Mansfield Halls commitment to a supportive and encouraging living and learning environment. As a residential program, our workextends beyond traditional office hours and settings, requiring flexibility, presence, and a willingness to adapt to changing schedules and student needs. Team members are encouraged to integrate their passions and talents into program design and delivery, creating a rich, responsive, and engaging experience for students. This includesmaintainingrespectful, effective communication with co-workers and students, embracing our inclusive community values, and always acting in a manner that protects the privacy and integrity of our students.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in behavioral sciences or a related fieldrequired; graduate degree preferred.

• 3-5 years' experience supporting diverse learners or working in higher education with multiple stakeholders.

• Experience managing direct reports and collaborating in team environments.

• Demonstrated ability to support families and stakeholders around student growth and development.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong organizational, administrative, and systems management skills.

• Proficiencyin building andmaintainingprofessional relationships with families, campus partners, and colleagues.

• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, flexible work environment.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to synthesize and present complex information.

• Problem-solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation abilities.

• Commitment to inclusive, student-centered programming and positive team culture.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Work involves standing and walking for brief periods of time, but most duties are performed from a seated position. There is potential foreye strainfrom reading detailed materials and computer work. The ability toliftupto 30 pounds (office equipment, paper, etc.) isrequired. Deadlines, workloads during peak periods, and changing priorities may cause increased stress levels.Worknormally requires finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination tooperatecomputer keyboards at a moderate skill level. Repetitive motion injuries may occur. Mansfield Hall will provide adaptive devices as needed.

Work Environment:

• Internal:Work is normally performed in a climate-controlled office environment, where exposure to conditions of extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes, and gases isvery limited. The noise level is moderate and includes soundsofnormal office equipment (people, computers, telephones, etc.). No known environmental hazards areencounteredin the normal performance of job duties. Weoperatein a flex-space work environment that by nature may include distractions and interruptions.

• External:Limited local travel may berequired.Workoutside the office normally takes place in similar office environments, although occasionally work may include classroom environments.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.All of the listed functions are important and are in no particular order.This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skillsrequired.All employeesare required toperform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.Mansfield Hall is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace. People from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, women, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.