The Director of College Counselling (DCC) leads the College Counselling department and inspires and oversees the work of the college counsellors. The DCC is required to have a wide current knowledge of universities and colleges, and their admissions practices and procedures, around the world, including China. The DCC must pay close attention to the college needs and interests of all HC students. The ability to cultivate existing close links and forge new ones between HC and Admission officers in colleges and universities is essential. The DCC must be able to present Huayao Collegiate (HC) and its students articulately and with conviction at a high level. Strong candidates will share our ethos – enjoying collaboration and learning, embracing cross-cultural adaptability, and sharing a resilient and ethical passion for developing an outstanding college preparatory school. 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive college counselling curriculum for grades 9-12

• Stay current with global university admission trends, requirements, and testing changes

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with university admissions offices worldwide

• Lead parent education programs about university admissions

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain comprehensive records of university acceptances, enrolments, and scholarships

• Prepare annual reports on university placement outcomes

• Analyze data to identify trends and improve program effectiveness

• Manage Naviance or similar university guidance platform

Team Management & Collaboration

• Supervise and mentor college counselling team members

• Collaborate with academic leadership, faculty, and homeroom advisors

• Work with marketing team to promote university placement successes

• Coordinate university representative visits and recruitment events

College Counseling

• Counsel an assigned group of scholars, assisting them with the college search and application process and write comprehensive recommendation letters.

• Work with international scholars and parents to ensure understanding of the United States college admission process and the aspects unique to Chinese applicants.

• Communicate regularly and frequently with Middle and Upper school scholars and parents regarding the college admission process.

• Work with Upper School faculty advisors to establish goals and four-year academic plans for each Upper School scholar.

• Provide guidance to the faculty and faculty advisors’ on writing requested and required recommendations for scholars applying to college.

• Assist with developing a comprehensive, well-conceived, and effective six-year college counseling process, programs, and strategies that will guide scholars, parents, and advisors through the college admissions process with the goal being an appropriate placement and transition for each senior.

• Assist with coordinating and supervise the program and calendar of all standardized testing for scholars including scheduling test dates, registering scholars, arranging for special ‘prep’ sessions, administering the tests, and providing pre and post-test counseling.

• Work collaboratively with the other college counselors to disseminate all information regarding the college counseling application process through newsletters, website page and other mediums.

• Assist with managing all college counseling office data, systems, and records, while ensuring the confidentiality of all information.

• Assist with coordinating the assembling, proofreading, and sending all college applications, including all secondary school reports.

Internal and External Relations

• Uphold and enforce school rules, administrative regulations and board policy.

• Attend regular grade-level, faculty, and division meetings.

• Work with the registrar and faculty advisors to keep accurate permanent records of scholars’ testing and academic work.

• Establish and maintain strong relationship with selective college admissions directors and offices in the United States and worldwide.

• Represent the School and its scholars through active participation in college counseling professional organizations.

• Identify and establish contact with schools that may be good matches for scholars through visits with college reps.

• Schedule and oversee visits to colleges and college fairs and host college representatives to Huayao Collegiate’s campus.

Qualifications & Experience

• 3-5 years of experience in college counseling, preferably with an independent secondary school, and/or in a college’s admission office.

• Current knowledge of the college application and admission process, the college financial aid process, and NCAA eligibility and recruitment regulations. Familiarity with and a willingness to continue to learn about a wide range of colleges and universities both in the United States and abroad.

• Strong English language proficiency, including excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong knowledge of colleges, their academic programs, campus environment, admission policies, and financial policies and procedures.

• Strong technology/computer skills including familiarity with BridgeU, various on-line search engines, on-line forms, and facility using multiple technological tools.

• Excellent organizational skills, flexibility, and a willingness to collaborate with other members of the team.

• Creativity, enthusiasm and the ability to establish personal relationships with scholars and parents.

• Willingness to travel to conferences and colleges throughout the year and willingness to work nights and weekends if needed.

• High level of integrity, strong work ethic, and confidence.