Interim-Director of Center for Academic and Career Success

This is a temporary, 12-month leadership appointment at Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondack Park, New York. The role is designed for an experienced higher education leader who can guide the Center for Academic and Career Success (CACS) through a year of transition while shaping its future and leading the search for a permanent Director.

About The Role

The Interim Director will provide steady, experienced leadership for CACS, 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.