Director of Student Life

Full time Dean of Students

Job Description

About Charleston Collegiate: 

Charleston Collegiate School (CCS) is an independent, co-educational, non-sectarian day school serving students from PK through 12th grade. Situated on a picturesque 60-acre campus of playing fields, wooded trails, and an outdoor education center, CCS is located on Johns Island—just 20 minutes from Charleston’s historic district and the beach resorts of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands. 

Founded in 1970, CCS fosters a challenging and supportive learning community that recognizes, nurtures, and challenges its diverse student body. Organized into Lower School (PK-5), Middle School (6-8), and Upper School (9-12), the school’s mission is to empower students through a student-centered approach that emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and individuality. With approximately 400 students, CCS is Charleston’s only independent PK-12 school of its kind, providing a unique education grounded in the pillars of project-based learning, entrepreneurship, arts and creativity, and outdoor education. These foundational elements equip students to become lifelong learners and resilient leaders ready for 21st-century careers. 

Job Summary: 

The Director of Student Life plays a vital role in fostering a vibrant and inclusive school community, overseeing student activities, special programs, and leadership initiatives. This dynamic position manages everything from student government and clubs to major school events, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission, core values, pillars, and the ever-evolving best practices of teaching and learning. The ideal candidate will be an experienced educator who can build meaningful and healthy relationships, create engaging opportunities for student growth and community building, and collaborate effectively, efficiently, and professionally. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

The Director of Student Life enriches the student experience, cultivates school culture, and develops student leadership through a commitment to the following: 

  • Oversee all student life areas such as clubs, class trips, school events, advisory, all-school meetings, and Student Government. 

  • Collaborate with counseling team advisors, and leadership to support social-emotional learning and the Advisory program. 

  • Collaborate with teachers, advisors, club sponsors, coaches and others to develop and support a Mission and Values-aligned leadership development program and approach. 

  • Cultivate opportunities to connect student interests with community partnerships. 

  • Facilitate community-based projects and connections to help students see the impact of their learning in the broader community. 

  • Participate in professional development opportunities, implement best practices, and contribute to the collaborative culture of CCS. 

  • Proactively foster a positive school culture in the Upper and Middle Schools, grounded in our mission, core values, and pillars, ensuring a safety-first, learning-filled, and joyful experience for all. 

  • Serve on the leadership teams of the Middle and Upper divisions. 

  • Constructively support the School and the Senior Leadership Team.

  • In collaboration with students, and nurturing student leadership and voice, create, support, and sustain opportunities for community and culture building, school spirit, and retention of students. Teach one to two classes/courses/seminars per year. 

  • Coordinate with divisional and Senior Leadership Teams on major school events including Back to School, Grand Friends, Graduation, and others. 

  • Foster a sense of belonging for all, in alignment with the school’s core values of Community, Advocacy, and Empathy. 

  • Perform other duties as assigned by Division Heads or approved by the Head of School. 

Qualification Requirements 

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field; master’s degree preferred 

  • At least 3 to 5 years’ prior experience in independent schools 

  • Successful track record working with students and parents 

  • An appreciation for the value of diversity in all forms 

  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and a dedication to a high level of confidentiality 

  • Exceptional written and oral communication 

  • Excellent organizational skills 

  • Detail-oriented and able to work collaboratively 

  • Strong work ethic and high level of integrity 

  • Technologically savvy, experienced, and willing 

  • High-energy and enthusiastic about working in an academic atmosphere 

For more information and to apply visit www.charlestoncollegiate.org or contact Head of Upper School, Gareth Griffith, at [email protected] and/or Head of Lower/Middle Schools, Alicia FaJohn, at [email protected]