Director of Student Services – Sonia Gutierrez Campus

WHO WE ARE:

CRIPCS is the nation’s first adult charter school and a national model for high-quality adult education, career training, and student support. Our mission-driven team advances innovative, equity-centered solutions that empower adult immigrants and English language learners while strengthening our community and economy. Through our award-winning three-pronged model—foundational coursework, career certification, and comprehensive supports—and guided by our core values: Integrity, Respect, Perseverance, Compassion, Inclusivity, and Collaboration we advance our strategic priorities to empower our people and culture and build for the future.

ROLE SUMMARY:

The Director of Student Services ensures adult learners receive the comprehensive, non-academic support necessary to thrive throughout their educational journey and successfully transition to employment, workforce training, and higher education. Reporting to the Senior Director of Services & School Logistics, this role provides strategic leadership for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of student support services that promote student well-being, engagement, retention, persistence, and equitable outcomes. The Director oversees a multidisciplinary team of case managers, counselors, employment specialists, student success staff, and program support professionals, fostering a collaborative, trauma-informed, and student-centered culture.

Success in this role begins with building trust, leading an established team through change, and developing strong partnerships across the organization and community. Over time, the Director will strengthen team performance, enhance the student experience through data-informed decision-making, and ensure students receive timely, coordinated support by identifying barriers and connecting them to appropriate internal and external resources. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, relationship-driven leader who excels at developing people, navigating complexity, and balancing strategic leadership with operational excellence.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary Student Services team, including case managers, counselors, employment specialists, student success staff, and program support professionals.
• Foster a collaborative, student-centered culture grounded in trust, accountability, continuous learning, and shared purpose.
• Establish clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and professional development, and lead an established team through change while maintaining engagement and morale.
• Promote trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices and cultivate a high-performing team focused on delivering exceptional student support.

Student Success & Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for Student Services that advances student persistence, engagement, retention, and successful transitions into employment, workforce training, and higher education.
• Oversee the delivery of comprehensive student support services, including case management, counseling, employment services, student success programming, crisis response, and basic needs support.
• Ensure students receive coordinated, equitable, and holistic support by identifying barriers to success and connecting students with appropriate internal and external resources.
• Champion innovation and regularly evaluate programs, implement innovative practices, and enhance the overall student experience.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Community Engagement

• Partner with leaders across Academics, Registration, Workforce Development, Finance, and other departments to create a seamless student experience.
• Build and oversee strategic partnerships with community organizations, colleges, employers, and external service providers to expand opportunities and resources for students.
• Collaborate with campus leadership to align Student Services initiatives with organizational priorities and strategic goals.
• Represent Student Services in school, community, and partner meetings, serving as a trusted ambassador for the department and the school.

Operations, Data & Organizational Effectiveness

• Use student data, performance metrics, and stakeholder feedback to evaluate outcomes, identify trends, and inform strategic decision-making.
• Oversee department operations, including budgeting, reporting, compliance, and the effective administration of student support programs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies while maintaining accurate records and operational excellence.
• Continuously improve systems, workflows, and processes that enhance service delivery, accountability, and organizational effectiveness.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Higher Education, Student Affairs, Human Services, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Five or more years of progressive leadership experience in student services, student affairs, higher education, workforce development, community services, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of student support systems and best practices.
• Experience using data and performance metrics to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and external partners.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Knowledge of applicable student services regulations and compliance requirements.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading Student Services or Student Affairs functions.
• Experience supporting adult learners, immigrant communities, or English language learners.
• Experience in higher education, adult education, workforce development, or community-based organizations.
• Experience leading teams through organizational growth or change.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken by our students.

SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS:

• A competitive annual starting salary range of $85,000 - $100,000 commensurate with experience.
• 46 total days of time off (a combination of paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time) per year. This number increases over time.
• A flexible, hybrid work schedule.
• Competitive health benefits and retirement match (up to 6% of the base salary).
• Deep investment in individualized professional development, inclusive of coaching, conference attendance, and tuition reimbursement.

Even if you don’t feel that all of the requested qualifications aren’t your current strengths, we still welcome you to apply. We invite all candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Reports to the Senior Director of Services & School Logistics.
• Supervises approximately eight Student Services professionals.
• Primary work location is the Sonia Gutierrez Campus.
• Monday–Thursday on-site with a flexible remote Friday.
• One adjusted evening schedule each week to support evening students.
• Occasional work at the Harvard Street Campus for organization-wide meetings, professional development, registration, and special events.

HOW TO APPLY:

Carlos Rosario is partnering with She Rose Solutions to find the next Director of Student Services. Please use this link to submit your application. She Rose Solutions will review all applicants and, upon qualification, contact you to determine next steps. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please contact us by sending an email to operations@sherosesolutions.com.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, termination, compensation and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. In accordance with federal and DC laws, Carlos Rosario School does not discriminate with regard to employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, matriculation, veteran status, or other protected status under applicable law.

• 46 total days of time off (a combination of paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time) per year. This number increases over time.
• A flexible, hybrid work schedule.
• Competitive health benefits and retirement match (up to 6% of the base salary).
• Deep investment in individualized professional development, inclusive of coaching, conference attendance, and tuition reimbursement.