Posted: Jun 6, 2025
APPLY

Director of Academic and College Counseling

Valor Christian High School - Highlands Ranch, CO
Full-time
Salary: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 Annually
Application Deadline: Jul 31, 2025
Staff

Below is an excerpt from the Role Description posted on Valor's Join Our Team page. Please visit https://valorchristian.com/about/join-our-team for more detailed information on this position's responsibilites

ROLE SUMMARY
The Director of Academic and College Counseling at Valor Christian High School provides strategic leadership and vision for the Academic and College Counseling Program, ensuring the department’s growth aligns with the school’s mission and institutional priorities. The Director should lead their team in fostering strong relationships with students, parents, faculty, and college admissions representatives, offering personalized guidance and advocacy throughout the high school journey. Collaborating closely with academic departments, student support services, and school leadership, the Director upholds best practices and promotes student success during the entirety of their high school career. A strategic thinker and effective communicator, the Director articulates the distinct value of a Valor education to colleges and universities, provides clarity and confidence in families navigating the college admissions process, and actively builds partnerships and professional networks to elevate the school’s national profile. As such, this leader also serves as a voice in the national college counseling landscape, leveraging data analytics to inform decision-making and enhance program outcomes, while equipping and mentoring a high-performing counseling team. With emotional intelligence, a problem-solving mindset, and the ability to respond with grace and discernment in high-pressure situations, the Director is a decisive leader while remaining deeply engaged in the daily life of the school community and the Academic and College Counseling team members, modeling servant leadership and a steadfast commitment to Christ in all aspects of their work.
Valor Christian High School is a decidedly Christian, college-preparatory school whose core values honor a biblical foundation. Valor employees are faith-filled, joyful believers who are active in a local Christian church whose beliefs are in alignment with the school’s Statement of Beliefs. They are both called and committed to the school’s vision and mission and seamlessly integrate faith into their daily work. You will be most successful if you have a true servant’s heart, a teachable spirit, a love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and a commitment to the school’s beliefs and values.  
 
Primary Responsibilities 
  • In partnership with the Director of Humanities and College Counseling, develop and execute a strategic vision, grounded in a biblical vision of excellence, for all programs related to academic guidance and college preparation, ensuring they reflect Valor’s mission and vision and serve the academic, social, and spiritual development of students.
  • Supervise the academic and college counseling team and Valor’s Registrar, promoting collaboration, excellence, and ongoing personal,  professional development, and spiritual growth across all roles.
  • Collaborate with the counseling team to continually refine and implement a comprehensive 9–12 academic and college counseling program that meets student academic needs and supports successful college matriculation.
  • Collaborate with Academic Leadership to develop and communicate academic policies, graduation requirements, and college planning pathways. This work should be guided by biblical principles, best practices, accreditation standards, and higher education trends
  • Provide personalized academic and college counseling for a modified caseload of 10th–12th grade students, guiding them through academic success, course planning, college research, the college application processes, and long-term goal setting.
  • Work with the Valor’s Registrar to maintain accurate records of student academic progress, standardized testing, and post-secondary outcomes; Collaborate with academic leadership to analyze data to inform counseling strategy and improve student success.
  • Lead workshops, seminars, and parent education nights on topics including college applications, standardized testing, financial aid, and course planning.
  • Serve as a key liaison between Valor and the broader college admissions landscape, with a particular emphasis on highly selective colleges; participate in strategic planning to advance the department’s long-term goals and enhance student outcomes.
Secondary Responsibilities
  • Be a strong advocate for Valor to external constituencies; build strong relationships with college admissions representatives and participate in key professional organizations (NACAC, ACCIS, College Board, RMACAC, etc).
  • Collaborate with Academic Leadership teams on academic programming that supports student college preparedness to respond to changing needs for college-bound students. 
  • Coordinate with key stakeholders within the school regarding student admission, student academic support, and the enforcement of academic policies.  
  • Actively represent the Academic and College Counseling Team as appropriate at strategic school events. 

 

 
RESULTS
The Director of Academic and College Counseling’s work and collaboration with the Academic and College Counseling Team will foster and continually improve a robust academic and college counseling program that effectively counsels students throughout their academic career and into colleges that are the best fit for students. In an increasingly competitive college application and admissions process, the Director of Academic and College Counseling will forge relationships with a wide variety of institutions--from Christian colleges and universities to more highly selective schools--that are attractive to Valor families. By being involved in regional and national professional organizations, the Director of Academic and College Counseling will increase and enhance Valor's national profile as a college preparatory school. Furthermore, the Director of Academic and College Counseling will work to build a dynamic and multi-talented college counseling team, giving them the vision for the future trajectory of that department
 
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related discipline required; Master’s degree in School Counseling, Educational Leadership, or a related field preferred. 
  • 5 or more years of experience in Academic and College Counseling, with additional experience in College Admissions preferred
  • Solid biblical and theological foundation and understanding
  • Minimum 2-3 year experience leading teams of college counselors highly preferred
  • Experience building strategic relationships with highly selective college, including Ivy League and military academies, preferred
  • Administrative and customer service skills that demonstrate exceptional care for people and details, strong project management skills with the ability to delegate appropriate tasks. 
  • Strong discernment, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, quick learner, and intentional relationship builder
  • Expertise in Microsoft Office, Scoir, Student Information System (SIS) databases, and Google products
  • Efficient work pace, ability to manage multiple tasks, and oversee systems and processes
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, specifically with parents and external stakeholders.
 
POSITION TYPE: (C). This position offices in-person, on campus Year-round schedule. 12-Month Calendar
HOURS PER WEEK: Full Time, Exempt. Travel, evening, and weekend work as required. 
BENEFITS: 
  • Paid holidays, sick leave, vacation leave, and personal days 
  • Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance 
  • 403(B) Retirement Plan with immediate vesting and employer contribution matching
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Three on-campus dining options for daily lunch
PAY RANGE: $85,000-$95,000 
START DATE: July 28th, 2025