Academic College Discovery Director

City University of New York; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

BMCC, a senior college in the City University of New York system, seeks an Academic College Discovery Director to lead the College Discovery Program. The role guides student support services, academic advising, and financial aid, ensuring compliance and strategic program growth.

The Director will supervise staff, coordinate with Admissions, Financial Aid, and Academic Departments, and report outcomes to BMCC/CUNY.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and eight years’ related experience required.
• Master’s degree in student personnel administration, higher education, counseling, or related field preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills required; ability to build effective working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic oversight for the College Discovery Program.
• Oversee day-to-day operations including recruitment, admissions, orientation, retention and graduation support.
• Develop, review, and refine program policies, procedures, and services for continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with CUNY, NYS and federal guidelines related to opportunity programs and financial aid.
• Direct a team delivering academic advising, counseling, career guidance and financial aid support.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Oral & written communication

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in higher education or related field

Job description

Academic College Discovery Director

POSITION DETAILS

The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, is a vibrant, pluralistic learning community committed to students' intellectual and personal growth. The College bridges the economic and educational opportunity gap for students, more than half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Working to strengthen a culture of care inside and outside the classroom, we share a passion for learning with students from around the world. Strategically located in downtown Manhattan, the College is in close proximity to the artistic communities of Tribeca and SoHo, the dynamic downtown financial district, and the center of New York City government at City Hall. BMCC prides itself on the diversity of our students. We are an inclusive community that promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect for each member's ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin, among other personal characteristics. BMCC's motto speaks to this shared sense of purpose and possibility: Start Here, Go Anywhere. We strive to increase degree completion, successful transfer, career achievement, and service and leadership within our community, New York City, and beyond.

The Director of the College Discovery (CD) Program leads and manages the opportunity program at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs or their designee, the Director oversees the planning, delivery, and assessment of a wide range of academic, financial, and support services that help students succeed and grow. The program is designed to provide a supportive environment that promotes student retention, helps students complete their associate degrees and smoothly transfer into bachelor’s degree programs. The Director ensures the compliance of the regulations and guidelines governing the opportunity program. The Director will:

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic oversight for the College Discovery Program, ensuring alignment with the college's mission and student success goals.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the CD program, including student recruitment, admissions, orientation, retention, and graduation support.
• Develop, review, and refine program policies, procedures, and services to support continuous improvement and effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with CUNY, New York State, federal, and institutional guidelines and regulations related to opportunity programs and financial aid.
• Direct a team that delivers personalized academic advising, one-on-one counseling, career guidance and financial aid support for CD students.
• Design and implement workshops, seminars, and programming that enhance student success, address academic and personal challenges, and promote student well-being.
• Oversee and strengthen academic support offerings, including tutoring, supplemental instruction, and learning communities.
• Facilitate students' transition to the college environment through pre-freshman summer orientation programs.
• Promote transfer opportunities for CD students to bachelor’s degree programs, providing guidance throughout the transfer process.
• Manage the program budget, ensuring responsible allocation of resources and adherence to fiscal policies.
• Prepare and submit required reports to BMCC, CUNY Central Office, and other relevant agencies, accurately documenting outcomes and expenditures.
• Serve as a primary liaison between the College Discovery Program and other college departments, faculty, and administrative offices (e.g., Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Departments, Registrar).
• Conduct regular assessments of program impact and use data to inform planning, decision-making, and program enhancements.
• Help plan and participate in major college events such as orientation, registration, commencement, and other student success initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM

Bachelor’s degree and eight years’ related experience required.

PREFERRED

• Master’s degree in student personnel administration, higher education, counseling, or a related field and four (4) years of administrative and supervisory experience preferred
• Experience in counseling, mental health services, or academic advisement in a higher education setting, supporting diverse and at-risk student populations through targeted interventions and individualized guidance is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with current higher education practices, theories, research and policies.
• Knowledge of best practices in Student Affairs, including research, assessment, and data-informed decision making.
• Demonstrated success in college-wide collaborations.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, and the ability to build effective working relationship.
• Ability to provide courteous and accurate service to students, visitors and the campus community.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

• Designs, implements and monitors a comprehensive program of academic and counseling services for College Discovery's target student population
• Develops and implements academic interventions and other new initiatives to improve students' academic performance
• Administers intensive academic support assessments and interventions for probation and at-risk students
• Manages program budget; writes grant proposals and acquires funding to support the development of new offerings and services
• Conducts ongoing assessment of the main program functions to improve upon service delivery
• Manages counseling, instructional and clerical staff
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Academic College Discovery Director

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary range is $126,478 - $141,325; Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

CLOSING DATE

October 6, 2026

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID: 32783

Location: Borough of Manhattan CC

Job Type: Full-Time