Job Description

FLSA CODE:   Exempt                                               

NORMAL WORK HOURS:    40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:   Dean of Students

POSITION SUMMARY:

Olin College of Engineering seeks a licensed, experienced mental health professional to serve as the inaugural Director of Counseling. This new position offers a unique opportunity to shape and lead Olin’s counseling function within a small fully residential learning environment. The Director will be responsible for assessing, designing, implementing, and managing clinical services and wellness support tailored to the needs of Olin’s student body.

The Director of Counseling will provide direct counseling services to students, supervise the college’s clinical team, including a future additional therapist and the Director of Student Wellness, and ensure continuity of care, crisis intervention, and campus-wide mental health initiatives. The role requires a hands-on, student-centered leader who is committed to developing sustainable, inclusive systems of mental health support that align with Olin’s mission and values.
 

This is an in-person/on-campus position based in Needham, MA.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Administration

• Lead the assessment, development and delivery of a comprehensive campus counseling program, including individual therapy, urgent care, outreach, and wellness initiatives.
• Hire, supervise, and support a team, including one clinician, and provide supervision for the growing team.  
• Develop and implement policies and protocols for clinical services, documentation, confidentiality, and referral processes in accordance with professional and ethical standards.
• Establish and manage partnerships with external providers for referral and after-hours crisis coverage as needed.
• Collaborate with the Dean of Students and other senior leadership to align mental health support with institutional priorities.

Clinical Services

• Provide culturally competent, short-term counseling services for students dealing with a range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, academic and social challenges, identity development, and trauma.
• Deliver crisis response and safety planning in collaboration with campus partners.
• Maintain clinical records and case documentation in accordance with applicable standards of care and legal requirements.

Student Support & CARE Team

• Supervise the Director of Student Wellness, who coordinates Olin’s CARE team, non-clinical case management, and serves as the college’s healthcare and insurance point of contact.
• Collaborate closely with the CARE team to assess, respond to, and monitor students of urgent concern.
• Participate in and contribute to institutional responses to student crises, emergencies, and mental health-related issues.

Training, Outreach, and Prevention

• Develop and lead campus-wide training, outreach, and mental health education initiatives.
• Consult with faculty, staff, and students on mental health concerns and strategies for supporting students.
• Provide support for high-need and historically marginalized populations through inclusive and equity-informed practices.

Operations & Compliance

• Manage the department’s budget, demonstrating effective stewardship of college resources.
• Maintain oversight of clinical scheduling and intake processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws related to counseling services and student privacy (e.g., HIPAA, FERPA).
• Contribute to institutional planning and assessment efforts related to student wellbeing and learning outcomes.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s or doctoral degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field.
• Current licensure in Massachusetts as an LICSW, LMHC, or licensed psychologist.
• At least 5 years of post-licensure clinical experience, with demonstrated experience in higher education or adolescent/young adult mental health.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise professional staff and manage a small clinical team.
• Experience supporting students from diverse backgrounds and commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural humility.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, sound clinical judgment, and a student-centered approach to mental health and wellness.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to values of equity, access, and belonging.

Company Description

seeks employees who are passionate about working collaboratively within and outside of the Olin community to support the College’s mission and vision for the future. At Olin, we are educating the next generation of engineering innovators and shifting the definition of engineering. Not only do our students ask, “Who are we designing this for, and what are their values?” They also ask questions about the impact of their work on society.

As Olin evolves under new leadership, we seek to become a more representative and aware community, a place where everyone is a learner and where everyone is an educator.  Olin will become a place where experimentation—including making and learning from mistakes—will be embraced across the institution, not just in the classroom. Collaboration is key to Olin’s curriculum and culture, and we will work intentionally to reinforce the values and culture to which we aspire. We are a community that thrives on being together; we value trust. The College supports teams to collaboratively decide how they can best do their work, and display a commitment to the community, all while providing individuals with overall work-life flexibility.

Olin College is situated on 75 acres in Needham, Massachusetts. We are approximately ten miles from Boston, one mile from the MBTA Commuter Rail train station, and approximately four miles from the Woodland Station from the MBTA Green Line. We have plenty of free parking on campus. You can find more details on our  page.

• : From the moment you step on campus at Olin, you feel a buzz of energy and activity—and once you experience it, you want to be a part of it.

Olin College is committed to supporting an innovative, integrated learning and working environment. As a small campus, the in-person experience and cross-team collaboration is what helps build a strong, dynamic community for our students, faculty and staff. Typically, most roles at Olin College are intended to be in-person and on-campus. Certain paid positions may be eligible for flexible working arrangements, at the College’s sole discretion. Any approved remote work arrangement for pay must be performed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where Olin is registered to do business. Individual flexible and remote work options can be discussed during the interview process. 

Benefits

Olin College prides itself on offering to faculty and staff comprehensive benefits that provide both choice and value. These benefits are an important part of total compensation.  

Full-time employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week may be eligible for the following benefits: 

Core Benefits

• Medical (three different options)
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (company paid)
• Paid Family Medical Leave
• Long Term Disability (company paid)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match
• Liberal sick and vacation time and paid holidays
• Free parking

Additional Benefits 

• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Business Travel Insurance
• Supplemental 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Travel Assistance Services (company paid)
• Pet Insurance

Please note that benefits are subject to change at any time.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

At Olin College we seek to become a more representative and aware community. If you’re excited about a role and have relevant experience, but your work history doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we'd nevertheless encourage you to apply.

Olin College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from candidates belonging to groups that have historically been underrepresented in higher education, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA people, and people with disabilities. Employees of the College who have a disability are welcome to request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at HR@olin.edu.