Program Director, Clinical PsyD

William James College; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

William James College in Rhode Island is launching a new Clinical PsyD program and seeks a founding Program Director to shape it from the ground up.

You will collaborate with Newton-based leadership to establish the college's academic presence in Rhode Island, recruit faculty, develop curriculum, and drive APA accreditation efforts while building strong partnerships with healthcare organizations and schools across New England.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology and knowledge of APA accreditation standards.
• Five+ years of higher education experience, including academic administration and program leadership.
• Ability to turn vision into action, create structure, solve problems, and build something new while maintaining high academic quality.
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills to engage faculty, senior leaders, students, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Build and launch the Clinical PsyD program in Rhode Island.
• Shape curriculum, program strategy, student success, and APA accreditation readiness.
• Recruit and develop outstanding faculty while fostering a collaborative academic culture.
• Build partnerships with healthcare organizations, schools, community agencies, and other institutions.
• Serve as the senior on-site academic leader in Rhode Island.
• Strengthen pathways into the behavioral health profession.
• Establish a lasting foundation for the program's long-term success.

Skills

Academic & Clinical Expertise

Higher Education Leadership

Builder's Mindset

Collaborative Leadership

Education

Doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology

Job description

At William James College, your work has a purpose. As a mission-driven institution, we are committed to expanding access to high-quality behavioral healthcare and preparing the next generation of compassionate, skilled professionals to serve individuals, families, and communities. We believe academic excellence is strengthened by a community where people feel welcomed, valued, and a genuine sense of belonging.

Our commitment to creating a meaningful and engaging employee experience has also earned William James College recognition as one of the Boston Business Journal's Best Places to Work for two consecutive years—a distinction that reflects the culture and community our employees help create every day

This is an exciting time to join William James College as we expand our impact into Rhode Island. As the founding leader of our Rhode Island-based Clinical PsyD program, you will have a unique opportunity to build and shape a doctoral program from the ground up while helping strengthen the behavioral health workforce across Rhode Island and New England.If you are energized by building strong academic programs, developing meaningful partnerships, and creating new pathways for future psychologists, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

The Impact You Will Have

As the founding Program Director, you will provide the vision and leadership to develop and launch William James College's Rhode Island-based Clinical PsyD program in preparation for its anticipated Fall 2027 start.

Working closely with College leadership and faculty based in Newton, Massachusetts, you will help establish William James College's academic presence in Rhode Island and build the foundation for the program's long-term success.

In this role, you will:

• Build and launch the Clinical PsyD program, translating institutional vision into a strong and sustainable academic program.
• Shape curriculum, program strategy, student success, and APA accreditation readinessto support academic and clinical excellence.
• Recruit and develop outstanding facultywhile fostering a collaborative academic culture centered on teaching, mentorship, and student success.
• Build partnershipswith healthcare organizations, schools, community agencies, and other institutions to expand high-quality clinical training opportunities.
• Serve as the senior on-site academic leader in Rhode Island, providing programmatic leadership and collaborating across the College.
• Strengthen pathways into the behavioral health professionand help address the region's growing need for highly trained mental health providers.
• Establish a lasting foundationfor a program that will influence future psychologists and the communities they serve for years to come.

What You'll Bring

Academic & Clinical ExpertiseA doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, experience teaching and mentoring doctoral students, and knowledge of APA accreditation standards and processes.

Higher Education LeadershipFive or more years of higher education experience, including academic administration and program leadership. Experience developing, launching, or significantly advancing an academic program is highly valued.

Builder's MindsetThe ability to turn vision into action, create structure, solve problems, navigate ambiguity, and build something new while maintaining high standards of academic quality.

Collaborative LeadershipExceptional relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence faculty, senior leaders, students, and external partners.

What We Offer You

Meaningful Work & Lasting ImpactThe opportunity to build the foundation, culture, partnerships, and academic direction of a new doctoral program while contributing to a mission focused on strengthening the behavioral health workforce.

A Community Committed to Inclusive Excellence & BelongingWe are committed to creating a community where people feel welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. Inclusive excellence and belonging are integral to how we learn, work, and serve, and we value the diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas that strengthen our College and prepare our students to serve the communities around them.

Work-Life HarmonyWe recognize that meaningful careers and meaningful lives should complement one another. Employees enjoy generous paid time off and workplace flexibility designed to support collaboration, productivity, and overall well-being.

Whole-Person Health & WellbeingOur benefits are designed to support you and your family across all stages of life. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees have access to mental health and wellbeing resources, menopause support, an Employee Assistance Program, and additional voluntary benefits that provide added protection when life takes an unexpected turn.

Financial Protection & Future PlanningWe provide retirement savings opportunities, employer-paid life and AD&D insurance, and options to elect additional coverage for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents, along with voluntary benefits such as critical illness coverage.

Student Loan Forgiveness EligibilityAs a nonprofit institution, William James College is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, allowing eligible employees to pursue student loan forgiveness while building their careers with us.

Investing in Your GrowthYour development doesn't stop when you join William James College. We support continued personal and professional growth through internal learning opportunities and access to external professional development that helps employees expand their skills, knowledge, and impact.

Compensation Range: $140,000–$160,000 annually This range represents the College's good-faith estimate of compensation for this position. Placement within the range will be based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. Candidates are typically hired within the lower to midpoint of the range, with the upper end reserved for individuals who bring significant directly relevant experience and fully meet or exceed the role's requirements.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.