Associate Director, THRIVE
Bowdoin College
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Bowdoin College is seeking an Associate Director for THRIVE to lead strategic initiatives advancing student success, belonging, and equity. The role oversees the Geoffrey Canada Scholars program and THRIVE Ambassadors, collaborating with the Director to turn vision into sustained programming.
The position emphasizes inclusive spaces, partnerships with faculty and staff, and proactive planning to support first-generation and low-income students throughout their college experience.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Strong background in program management, supervision, and long-term strategic planning.
- Demonstrated knowledge of student development, higher education administration, and equity-focused programming.
- Excellent written, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to convene and facilitate meetings and events involving students, staff, and families.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and long-term initiatives simultaneously.
Responsibilities
- Lead THRIVE initiatives and strategy for student success and belonging.
- Oversee Geoffrey Canada Scholars program and THRIVE Ambassadors program.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff to create opportunities for students to explore goals, values, and pathways.
- Translate long-term vision into sustained, well-run programming.
- Cultivate welcoming and inclusive spaces for students to gather and engage.
Skills
Education
Job description
Associate Director THRIVE
S01578JP
THRIVE
Reporting to the Director of THRIVE, the Associate Director will play a central leadership role in advancing Bowdoin College’s commitment to student success, belonging, and for first-generation, limited-income, students. This position provides long-term strategic planning for core THRIVE initiatives, with particular responsibility for the Geoffrey Canada Scholars (GCS) program and the THRIVE Ambassadors program. The Associate Director will serve as a senior member of the THRIVE team, working closely with the Director to translate long-term vision into sustained, well-run programming.
The Associate Director will help cultivate and sustain a welcoming and inclusive physical and intellectual space where students can gather to discuss their experiences, build community, engage in critical reflection, and access support networks across campus. The Associate Director will also work with faculty and staff colleagues to create intentional opportunities for students to explore their goals, values, and academic and career pathways.
The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $75,500-78,500
- A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)
- Generous Retirement Plan – 401(a) and 403(b)
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time
- Paid Holidays and Special Days Off: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/our-workplace/college-holidays-and-special-days-off.html
- Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)
- Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool
- Free fitness and wellness classes!
- And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
- Strong background in program management, supervision, and long-term strategic planning
- Demonstrated knowledge of student development, higher education administration, and equity-focused programming
- Excellent written, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
- Ability to convene and facilitate meetings and events involving students, staff, and families
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and long-term initiatives simultaneously
- A relentless commitment to making higher education accessible and manageable for all students, particularly first-generation and limited-income students.
- Significant experience in program development, implementation, supervision, and long-term planning
- Experience supervising, training, and mentoring student workers, peer leaders, and/or professional staff
- Demonstrated success leading complex student success or retention initiatives in higher education or education focused non-profits
- Experience designing and implementing academic enrichment or bridge programs, particularly within STEM and/or interdisciplinary/liberal arts contexts
- Knowledge of best practices related to persistence, retention, mentoring, and belonging for all students
- A commitment to empathy, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness
- Highly developed listening, communication, and networking skills
- Commitment to thoughtful, timely, intentional, and student-centered interventions and supports
- Appreciation for the value and mission of a liberal arts education
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.
This is a full-time, year round position (1.0 FTE). This is an exempt level position and requires the time commitment necessary to fulfill all job duties. Some weekends and evenings will be required, and this position is considered non-essential.
We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).
Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
N/A
Full Time Year Round
1.00
Yes
Salaried
Faculty/Administrative
No
No
09/18/2026
No
Internal/External
If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.
Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
- How did you hear about this position?
- Indeed.com
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- Diverse Issues in Higher Ed
- Glassdoor
- Google Search
- HigherEdJobs.com
- InsideHigherEd.com
- MANP
- Maine Job Link
- LiveandWorkinMaine.com
- Employee Referral
- Bowdoin College Website
- Radio Ad
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- NCAA
- CASE
- Other
- If you answered Employee Referral or Other, please specify here:
(Open Ended Question)
- Resume / Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter
Staff & Casual contact: careers@bowdoin.edu
Faculty contact: facultycareers@bowdoin.edu
Phone: (207) 725-3837
216 Maine Street, Brunswick, ME 04011
Bowdoin College is a member of the Diversity Hiring Coalition of Maine, and Live and Work in Maine.
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