Interim Director, Center for Academic & Career Success

One-Year Leadership Appointment | Paul Smith's College | Adirondack Park, New York

About the Role

The Interim Director will provide steady, experienced leadership for the Center for Academic and Career Success (CACS) during a year of intentional transition, supervising a dedicated team of academic support professionals and partnering closely with the Dean of Curriculum and Dean of Student Life. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys building strong teams, solving problems quickly, and leaving an organization better positioned for its next chapter.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership and supervision for CACS, including First-Year Experience, academic coaching, tutoring and supplemental instruction, and accessibility services staff.
• Partner with the College's TRIO SSS and HEOP program leadership to ensure strong integration across academic support and access programs.
• Assess current programs, staffing, and workflows, and implement improvements that strengthen student retention and success.
• Lead the national search for CACS's next permanent Director, including finalizing the position description, managing the candidate search, and making a hiring recommendation.
• Collaborate closely with the Student Support Coordinator in Student Life to align academic and student-life support for students with complex needs.
• Represent CACS in College-wide planning and student success initiatives.

Requirements

• Significant progressive leadership experience (typically 10+ years) in higher education academic support, student success, or student affairs, including prior experience at the Director level or above.
• A track record of leading teams through change and making sound, timely decisions.
• Experience with, or interest in leading, a search process for a senior staff position.
• Strong understanding of retention strategy, accessibility services, and holistic student support.
• Comfort with an interim or consulting-style engagement; candidates who split time across institutions or are semi-retired are encouraged to apply.
• Master's degree in Education, Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, or a related field preferred.

Appointment Details

• Term: Approximately one year (2026–27 academic year), with exact dates negotiable.
• Structure: May be arranged as a College term employee or as an independent consultant/contractor, depending on candidate circumstances.
• Location: Paul Smith's College, Paul Smiths, NY — regular on-campus presence expected; schedule negotiable.
• Reports to: Dean of Curriculum

Pay

$88,000.00-$92,000.00 annually

About Paul Smith's College

Paul Smith's College is a small, private residential college in the Adirondack region of New York, known for its natural resources, environmental science, and hospitality programs, and its close, student-centered campus community.