Dean of Students

Milton; Milton (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Milton Academy is seeking a Dean of Students for the Upper School. The dean oversees the Office of Student Life for 700+ students, including international boarders and day students, and anchors the culture, policies, and wellness of the community on campus.

The dean partners with the Upper School leadership to support families, staff, and students, balancing proactive guidance with crisis management within adolescent development contexts. Salary range applies and reflects experience.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication with students, families, and staff.
• Ability to support adolescent development and foster a positive community.
• Experience in student services or related leadership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct the Upper School Office of Student Life for 700+ students (boarding and day).
• Collaborate with the Upper School administrative team and other leaders to support student wellness and behavior.
• Lead initiatives to foster student culture, programming, policies, and accountability.
• Respond to student crises and promote growth through restorative practices.

Skills

Communication skills

Family engagement

Empathy

Student-centered approach

Job description

Milton Academy is seeking a Dean of Students for the Upper School.

The dean of students oversees and directs the key elements of the Upper School's Office of Student Life for 700+ students, comprised of both boarding and day students, including international students. The Office of Student Life serves as a hub - both literally and figuratively - of student culture & norms, services, policies, programming, and accountability, centrally located on campus and ultimately responsible for both the day-to-day management of the student experience and the overarching wellness of the community.

In partnership with other members of the Upper School administrative team generally, and the dean of operations and dean of faculty specifically, the dean of students also helps to build the framework of support and expectations for the adults working most closely with Milton students. At its best, the work of the dean of students is student-facing, proactive, and energizing, including situations requiring students to take ownership of their missteps and move forward. At its most challenging, the work of the dean of students is central to the immediate and long-term management of student crises. Ultimately, the dean of students must embrace work that is immersed in the complexities of adolescent development and buoyed by each student’s journey and growth. To that end, the dean of students will join Milton at a time of self-reflection, bold vision, and strategic thinking regarding the student experience both within and beyond the classroom.

Ideal candidates will be passionate, empathetic, steady, and student-centered; thrive as an eminently present community member; have strong communication skills; have broad and deep experience working with students’ families; find joy in 24/7 community; and draw inspiration and energy from teenagers.

A member of the Upper School administrative team and the Office of Student Life, the dean of students reports to the Upper School principal and collaborates closely with the dean of operations, Upper School director of equity & inclusion, director of counseling, dean of academics, dean of faculty, director of restorative practices, and director of athletics.

Salary Range: $110,000 to $150,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications